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Angus Konstam's Edinburgh Wargames
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Die Kriegskunst
Wargaming the Seven Years War
Sample Order of Battle - Kolin, 1757
As an example of how the units are organised I've drawn up this Order of Battle, listing the Prussian and Austrian armies at the Battle of Kolin, fought in Bohemia on 18th June 1757. the battle was Frederick the Great's first defeat, and was a hard-fought affair, particularly on the Austrian right wing, against which Frederick launched his main attack. There's no need to describe the battle here - Chris Duffy has already done a superb job of doing just that in his books - The Army of Maria Teresa, The Army of Frederick the Great, and Frederick the Great: A Military Life. Then there's Simon Millar's Osprey Campaign book Kolin, 1757 - which seems to have been drawn pretty thoroughly on a detailed synopsis of the Battle Mr. Duffy wrote for an American boardgame company. Tsk Tsk...
Essentially the Austrians formed their army up on a line of hills - the easternmost of which was Krzeczor Hill. In front of the Austrian line lay the village of the same name, while behind the village lay a small oak wood. The Prussians steamed up the hill, trying to outflank the right hand edge of the Austrian line with cavalry. This was countered by the Austrian's own horse, and eventually the Prussians were forced to withdraw.
Here's the map from the Osprey book showing the initial Prussian attack. I'm sure my pals at Osprey won't mind me using it if I attach a plug for the Campaign book!
Map of Initial Prussian attack from Millar, Simon; Kolin, 1757: Frederick the Great's First Defeat (Campaign 91). Oxford, 2001, Osprey Publishing
The following order of battles are taken from the Austrian line (between circled numbers (9) and (10) on the map, and the Prussians who attached that sector ((1), (1a) and (4a) on the map. Both forces are roughly divisional in size, and are reasonably matched if players want to refight this crucial portion of the battle. In addition a cavalry brigade from each side which charged in support of the infantry has also been included, although these can be omitted if players prefer a straightforward infantry battle. Note that some units (particularly the cavalry) are slightly under-strength. The adventurous can turn this Order of Battle into a full-blown scenario. The rest of you will have to wait until the first Die Kriegskunst Scenario Book comes out in late 2008!
The PRUSSIANS Lieut. General von Tresckow’s Wing
Brigade Unit Strength Grade
von Braunschweig
(attached)
Inf. Rgt. 21 (Hülsen) 1st Btn.
20 figures
Line
2nd Btn.
20 figures
Line
Inf. Rgt. 7 (Alt-Bevern) 1st Btn.
20 figures
Veteran
2nd Btn.
20 figures
Veteran
Inf. Rgt. 3 (Anhalt) 1st Btn.
20 figures
Garrison
von Ingersleben
Inf. Rgt. 41 (Weid) 1st Btn.
16 figures
Line
2nd Btn.
16 figures
Line
Inf. Rgt. 35 (Prinz Heindrich) [Fusiliers] 1st Btn.
16 figures
Veteran
2nd Btn.
16 figures
von Fink
(attached)
Nymschöfsky Gren. Bttn.
16 figures
Veteran
Fink Gren. Btn.
12 figures
Elite
Standing Gren. Btn. 1
16 figures
Elite
Möllendorf Gren. Bttn.
12 figures
Veteran
6-pounder battery
2 gun models
Line
von Hülsen
(attached)
Inf. Rgt. 29 (Schultze) 1st Btn.
16 figures
Garrison
2nd Btn.
16 figures
Garrison
Inf. Rgt. 36 (Münchow)[Fusiliers] 1st Btn.
20 figures
Line
2nd Btn.
20 figures
Line
11th Dragoons (Stechow) 5 Sqns.
16 cavalry figures
Veteran
Note: The Nymschöfsky Btn. includes the Woldow Gren. Btn.Grenadier, while the Möllendorf includes the Wangenheim Gren. Btn. The units have been amalgamated to reflect the losses incurred at the Battle of Prague five weeks before. All would have been severely under strength.
Prussian Cavalry (In Reserve, and in Support):
Brigade Unit Strength Grade
Von Krosigk
8th Cuirassiers (Rochow) 5 Sqns.
20 cavalry figures
Veteran
1st Dragoons (Normann) 5 Sqns.
16 cavalry figures
Veteran
2nd Cuirassiers (Prinz von Preussen) 5 Sqns.
20 cavalry figures
Garrison
THE AUSTRIANS General von Marschall’s Wing
Brigade Unit Strength Grade
von Sincere
(attached)
Inf. Rgt. 12 (Botta) 1st Btn.
20 figures
Veteran
2nd Btn.
20 figures
Veteran
3rd Btn.
20 figures
Veteran
Inf. Rgt. 23 (Baden- Baden) 1st Btn.
24 figures
Line
2nd Btn.
24 figures
Line
Inf. Rgt. 4 (Deutchmeister) 1st Btn.
24 figures
Veteran
2nd Btn.
24 figures
Veteran
6-pounder battery
3 gun models
Veteran
Count zu Weid
(attached)
Inf. Rgt. 9 (Los Rios) 1st Btn.
20 figures
Line
Inf. Rgt. 14 (Salm-Salm) 1st Btn.
24 figures
Line
2nd Btn.
24 figures
Line
Inf. Rgt. 43 (Platz) 1st Btn.
24 figures
Line
Inf. Rgt. 24 (Starhemberg) 2nd Btn.
24 figures
Garrison
Inf. Rgt. 55 (D’Arberg) 2nd Btn.
20 figures
Line
Fiorenza Gren. Bttn.
16 figures
Veteran
Banal Croats
16 figures (skirmishers)
Garrison
Kommandierten Cav. approx. 10 Sqns.
32 cavalry figures
Line
12-pdr. battery
3 model guns
Veteran
Austrian Cavalry (In Reserve):
BRIGADE UNIT STRENGTH GRADE
Von Daun
23rd Cuirassiers (Birkenfeld) 6 Sqns.
20 cavalry figures
Veteran
9th Dragoons (Savoyen) 6 Sqns..
20 cavalry figures
Line
38th Dragoons (Württemburg) 6 Sqns.
16 cavalry figures
Line
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Notes on Die Kriegskunst Basing and Unit Sizes (Expanded) Latest version of Die Kriegskunst Playsheet (Word File)
Sample Scenario: Gross-Jagersdorf , 1757 (Prussians v Russians) Example of a Die Kriegskunst Army: The Russians
The Battle of Kolin, seen from behind the Austrian right wing
For accounts of our own Seven Years War games, see Journal 9, Journal 12 , Journal 13 and Journal 15
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