Affair at Eisenmuhlen - Part 2

As the light troops began to fall back, the "big boys" of the Imperium's main battle line approach the field of battle.

Please click on the pictures from a larger image.

Photo by Ed Sansing

Mark Stevens, the Imperium commander, watches as the light troops battle winds down and his two center brigades begin to appear on the battlefield.

Photo by Ed Sansing

On the Imperium left flank, Clay James' brigade of Sachsen-Wachsenstein (near) and Courland (far) battalions march on in perfect order, flags flying and drums beating!

Photo by Jim Pitts

In the Imperium center, Mark Stevens brigade of Courland and Sachsen-Wachsenstein grenadiers (on the left) and John Murdaugh's brigade of Imperium and Reichs Armee battalions (on the right) advance astride the road from Alt Kirchendorf to Eisenmuhlen. A few Pandurs are still in front and the light cavalry melee is drawing to a close on the far right.

Photo by Jim Pitts

And on the Imperium right flank, Phil Young's brigade of Reichs Armee battalions and two squadrons of Courland cavalry march on in good order.

Photo by Bill Hamilton

Another picture of Phil's brigade, this time as seen from the Carpanian defender's perspective.

Photo by Bill Hamilton

A company of Carpanian jagers hides behind a small woods as the Courland Timofievich Cossacks ride by on the far side. The jagers battle was over and they did want to tangle with those madmen and their lances!

Photo by Ed Sansing

The Carpanian and Brittanian light troops continue their withdrawal behind the main battle lines while the Imperium forces begin to advance onto the main table.

Photo by Bill Hamilton

Clay James observes the Carpanian light troops withdrawing behind their battle line as his brigade continues its advance. Just beyond the roofs of the cannon foundry stands the red-coated Fusiliers of Bremen, a battalion hired by Brittanian gold to assist the Electoral cause.

Photo by Jim Pitts

The Carpanian right, commanded by Larry Reeves, and center, commanded by Bill Hamilton, man their defensive works as the Imperium troops continue their slow approach.
[NOTE: The Martian walker is NOT part of the Carpanian army!]

Photo by Bill Hamilton

Phil's Imperium brigade and cavalry continue to advance. So far as they can tell, there are no defenders to their front. Can this be true? Do they have an unimpeded route into the electoral left rear?

Photo by Jim Pitts

Larry Reeves keeps a hawk eye watch on the Imperium forces as they advance toward his defenders. In the foreground, the Carpanian defenders of the cannon foundry are ready to repel any Imperium assaults. They have pulled the four newly cast guns into the line and spread their available gunners out to man them, assisted by some drafted infantry.

Photo by Ed Sansing

A view from the perspective of the Carpanian defenders. A company of jagers temporarily mans an outwork around a small farm while the Courland and Sachsen-Wachsenstein grenadiers approach them.

Photo by Ed Sansing

A good picture looking down the Carpanian defensive line with Campbell's Highland Battalion in the foreground, anchoring the left of the defensive line.

Photo by Jim Pitts

An overview of the main battle field with the Imperium attackers on the right and the Electoral defenders on the left.

Photo by Ed Sansing

Phil's Imperium brigade continues its unimpeded advance on the right flank. Is there really nothing ahead of them?

Photo by Ed Sansing

Well, not exactly. As the Courland cavalry advances around the tip of the woods, they suddenly espy the two squadrons of the Hapnich Dragoons, who immediately begin to trot towards them.

Photo by Jim Pitts

With a clash of sabers, the two evenly matched cavalry forces meet!

Photo by Bill Hamilton

Men shout! Horses scream! Sabers ring against each other!

Photo by Jim Pitts

And while the cavalry engage in the background, Phil's Imperium infantry get just close enough to the woods to observe that they are filled with the red coats of a brigade of Brittanian infantry.
Where did they come from?!? They were reported by spies to have marched off to rejoin their comrades northeast of Minden with the main Brittanian army!
Just goes to show that you can't believe everything a spy tells you. He may be working for the other side.

[Note: The game master learned this deviousness from his long time gaming partner, Jay "Lord Sterling" Stribling.]

Photo by Bill Hamilton

As the Imperium troops begin to react to the surprise appearance of the Brittanians, the Fusiliers of Emden (another Brittanian hire) on the far left of the Electoral line breath a sigh of relief. They really weren't looking forward to having to deal with four Imperium battalions, even if they were all Reichs Armee units.

Stay tuned for Part 3 of the battle report as we resolve the action and conclude the battle.

Affair at Eisenmuhlen - Part 1

[Beginning Note: I've been very slow in getting this report posted. But, better late than never!]

[Additional Note: Although Blogger says this was posted on Oct. 13, it actually wasn't finished and posted until Oct. 19.]

After their victory on 19 September 1759/2009, the Imperial Reichsarmeeabteilung Obere Sachsen reorganized its forces and added enough replacements to bring its units back to full strength. They then marched north, following the withdrawing Electoral army, towards the Barony of Eisenmuhlen and its important cannon foundry.

The Electorische Armee Thuringen fell back in front of the Imperials. But as they were drawing closer to their depots, they were also able to gain replacements to bring almost all their units back to full strength. Approaching the cannon foundry at Eisenmuhlen, the commander received orders from the Markgraf to defend this important point with all his might. He quickly set his army to building hasty fortifications using gabions and wood from some of the non-essential buildings in the area.

The game was played on 3 October 1759/2009 in the Fellowship Hall of Fondren Presbyterian Church on one main table (16' x 5.5') and two back tables (16' x 2.5' each). The Electoral army would set up on the main table with a light troops screen to their front along the "enemy" edge of the main table. The Imperial army would begin with only their light troops deployed 12" in from their side of their rear table and their main forces in columns advancing from "off the table."

The forces involved were almost the same from the last game, with both sides light troops not having a battalion gun this time and the Electoral side missing one battalion of Brittanians and a battalion gun (lost in the last action).

As usual, please click on the photos from larger versions.

Photo by Jim Pitts

The cannon foundry at Eisenmuhlen with four newly completed guns sitting in the yard.

Photo by Jim Pitts

The Denkmal (monument) hill where Reich Duke and Duchess von Beerstein, accompanied by the Duke and Duchess of Courland and the Duke and Duchess von Sachsen-Wachsenstein, observed the battle. If you look closely, you can espy "Frivolous" Fiona MacGillicuddy in the background with her bumbershoot and flask of single malt.

Photo by Jim Pitts

The Imperial commanders - Mark Stevens (army commander) and Clay James, standing, and Phil Young and John Murdaugh, seated.

Photo by Jim Pitts

The Electoral commanders - from left - Larry Reeves, Ed Sansing, Sean Pitts, and Bill Hamilton (army commander)

Photo by Ed Sansing

The main table battlefield with Eisenmuhlen in the center right.
The game master, Jim Pitts (Col Campbell, in khaki shorts) is briefing some of the players.

In order to simulate the "fog of war," we erected a screen down the main table with only the Electoral light troops visible to the approaching Imperials.

Photo by Ed Sansing

The Electoral light troops screen, commanded by Ed Sansing, with a company of Carpanian jagers on either flank, the Warsteiner Freikorps, and the light dragoons in the center.

Photo by Ed Sansing

The Electoral light troops screen from the opposite flank.

Photo by Bill Hamilton

And hidden behind the "fog of war" screen was the Electoral army in its defensive positions, here looking from the extreme right flank whose troops were commanded by Larry Reeves. The woods in the distance held a surprise for the Imperials.

The Imperials would not be able to see the Electoral deployment until one of their light troop units touched the screen, thus lifting the "fog of war."

Photo by Bill Hamilton

The Courland Tomifievich Cossacks were the first to penetrate the "fog of war" screen as they reconnoitered around the flank of the Electoral screen. And they saw the open right flank of the Electoral army.

But here the "fog of war" still reigned as they sat immobile for the next turn because their commander forgot to move them and was also not told about one of their victory conditions - get light units off the electoral side of the back table and raid towards the Carpanian capitol of Potzdorf. The Electoral right flank commander was able to redeploy his battalions to seal off the gap and discouraged the Cossacks from any further advances.

Photo by Jim Pitts

Meanwhile, the Carpanian light troops commander launched all his light cavalry in an attempt to clear the Imperial light troops away from screening their army's advance. Here a small squadron of York Dragoons attack and disperse a company of Courland Pandurs, eventually chasing them completely away and pursuing them off the battlefield.

Photo by Jim Pitts

A long range view of the fighting between the two sides' light troops along the gap between the main table and the Imperial back table.

Photo by Jim Pitts

Supported by the Warsteiner Freikorps, the Britannian Queen's Rangers light dragoons and the 17th Light Dragoons engage the converged Reichsarmee light dragoons.

And here we will leave the light troops battle. After defeating the Imperial light dragoons, the light troops on both sides pulled back as the Imperial army advanced onto the battlefield and the "fog of war" cleared to reveal the Electoral army in all its splendor.

Part 2 will cover the main battle.

September 2009 Painting

Since I was preparing for two "big battalion" games this month (one on September 19 and the other on October 3), I didn't get much painting done - just 10 "Olley" points. But I did construct two rather large paper buildings, including a walled cemetery and graves for one.


This figure is a mounted officer from the (sadly) out-of-production Spanish range from the London Warroom. He is a very nice casting, waving his hat to encourage the troops, and sits very well on his horse. For my two games, he played a role as commander of one of the Reichsarmee brigades in the Imperium army.


During September, I painted 8 of the 24 figures in the unit of Hessian grenadiers. The other 16 have been painted for a number of years. The 8 new figures are all in the front rank and are Miniature Figurines SYW figures. The rest of the unit are Miniature Figurines (the advancing poses) and an unknown (to me) manufacturer (the march attack poses). This battalion is actually part of my American Revolution army but was drafted to play the role of a converged Reichsarmee grenadier battalion.

Later edit: According to DC, in his comment, the march attack figures are from Garrison Miniatures.




You've seen this church before as I posted an "under construction" entry earlier in September and it was featured in The Affair at Alt Kirchendorf, the first "big battalion" game I ran on Saturday, September 19 (see earlier posts for the 3-part battle report). Please see The Old Church posting for more details.


Here it is "in action" with its cemetery garrisoned by a company of Carpanian grenadiers.



The other paper building was the cannon foundry at Eisenmuhlen (which means iron mills in German). This building is actually in two parts which can be used together or separately. As was the church, the paper walls were glued to a foam core sub structure. The roof on the one-story part is removable. The cannon are a pair from RAFM.


And here is a shot of it on the battlefield of The Affair at Eisenmuhlen, which was the "big battalion" game I ran on Saturday, October 3. There will be more pictures of it in the battle report, which is still to be posted.

For October, I've already started on a third company for the Regiment Eisenmuhlen (RSM95 British infantry). I also will, finally, begin work on my 28mm French and Indian War figures and hopefully begin some work on the Regiment Royal Eccossais, using Old Glory figures.

Awards from Reich Duke Wilhelm von Beerstein

We have just been informed that the Reich Duchy of Beerstein College of Honors has recognized three individuals in our little portion of Imagi-Europa.


The Military Order of the Golden Crown has been awarded to Feldmarshall Leutnant Freiherr Bernard von Alderheim of the army of the Imperium for his victory over the Carpanians and their perfidious Brittanian allies at the affair of Alt Kirchendorf on 19 September 1759/2009.




The Ancient and Honorable Order of the Tankard has been awarded to the Reich Duke's brother sovereigns Duke Yakov Alexandrovitch Pavlov of Courland and Duke Siegfried von Sachsen-Wachsenstein for their efforts in avenging the Reich Duke for the insidious ambush upon his departure from Carpania last spring as part of his Grand Tour of Imagi-Europe.


All three dignitaries are most appreciative of the Reich Duke's recognition and swear to uphold the dignities of these offices and the honor of the Reich Duke and the Imperium.

Markgraf Hapnich of Carpania, upon hearing of these awards, remarked about inexpensive baubles being thrown to swine. He was not impressed. Of course when his Scottish mercenary officer, Major General Seumus Campbell was awarded the Ancient and Honorable Order of the Tankard last spring for arranging the visit of the Reich Duke and the ceasefire between Carpania, Courland, and Sachsen-Wachsenstein, the Markgraf was very pleased.

But who can ever figure out royalty. That's why Major General Campbell, who may sell his sword to them, is still a staunch Scottish republican!

The Affair at Alt Kirchendorf - Part 3

Now we turn to the fighting around the town of Alt Kirchendorf. If you will recall from the intial force layouts, the two reserve brigades faced each other here with the Carpanians defending the town and the Imperials out to take it from them. As usual, please click on the photos to see larger versions.

Photo by Jim Pitts

While the Carpanian grenadiers deploy behind them, the two cavalry units clash. The Courland cavalry (backs to artist) initiated the charge but the Carpanian dragoons quickly countercharged. This melee would last for three turns of hacking and slashing.

Photo by Jim Pitts

While the cavalry fights it out, the Imperials reserve brigade advances towards Alt Kirchendorf. On the far side of the town, Campbell's Highlanders (in the pay of Carpania) have come out to contest the advance of the Courland grenadiers. In the foreground is the combined Sachsen-Wachsenstein and Reichsarmee grenadier battalion.

Photo by Jim Pitts

A panoramic view of the center and west end of the battlefield. In the middle distance the Courland grenadiers and the Highlanders come to point blank range while the cavalry melee continues to swirl beyond the town.

Photo by Ed Sansing

The action has now become point blank as the two lines of grenadiers exchange volleys.

Photo by Jim Pitts

Another view of the point blank firing between the Carpanians on the left and the Imperials on the right.

Photo by Ed Sansing

An aerial view of the fighting. Even though the Carpanians were taking casualties the closeness and heat of the action would prove too much for the Imperial grenadiers.

Photo by Jim Pitts

Back to the cavalry melee, with the Carpanian Braun grenadiers and the pioneers trying to get into the cavalry's action. But a volley in passing by the Reichsarmee grenadiers would cause the Carpanians to halt before they could get into the cavalry fight.

Photo by Jim Pitts

After trading volleys with the Courland grenadiers and their battalion gun, the Highlanders are reduced to below 50% strength and will soon fall back towards the town.

Photo by Ed Sansing

The Carpanian grenadiers and Campbell's Highlanders are left in undisputed control of Alt Kirchendorf, . . .

Photo by Ed Sansing

as the Imperial's reserve brigade grenadiers continue to fall back out of point blank musket range. The Imperial reserve brigade commander just couldn't get his men to go that extra little bit to overcome the Carpanian resistance.

Photo by Ed Sansing

After three turns of hacking and slashing, the Carpanian dragoons (in the distance) and the Courland cavalry (in the foreground) fall back to regroup. Both commands lost about 2/3 of their numbers in the fight. Needless to say, this ended the day for both sides' heavy cavalry.

Photo by Jim Pitts

With the cavalry melee ended and the reserve brigade's grenadiers in trouble, the Imperial army commander directs his second line brigade of Imperium and Reichsarmee troops toward the west flank.

Photo by Ed Sansing

As the fighting winds down, the Highlanders madly move back out to harry the Courland grenadiers. But fire from the Courlanders and their battalion gun quickly slaughter the hapless Highlanders.

So who won? With night falling and reports of Imperium troops advancing on the eastern border of Carpania, probably being led by Reichs Duke Wilhelm von Beerstein himself, the Electoral commander decides to fall back. Although he has stymied the Imperial attack here on Alt Kirchendorf he worries about his flanks. The second line Brittanian brigade and the light cavalry cover the withdrawal. The Imperials remain on the battlefield to recover their wounded and regroup their battered formations.

The next action will take place around the cannon foundry of Eisenmuhlen on 3 October 1759/2009. Can the Electoral forces throw the Imperials back or will they have to emulate the forces of the Grand Duchy of Stollen and fall back deeper into Carpania? We'll have to wait and see!