Leuthen Day, Fashionably Late

A recreation of Frederick's Parchwitz Address on the night before the Battle of Leuthen

Yesterday I knew that December 5th was the anniversary of the Battle of Leuthen in 1757. I meant to post something about the occasion, but time was working against me and I just couldn't get to the task.

So here are some photos of the Battle of Leuthen that we played back in 2009 at Chez Protz, in Brown Deer, Wisconsin. If I recall correctly, the Prussians won the game by a mere whisker as the Austrian cavalry general Nadasdy did a superb job of slowing down the Prussian flank attack on the Austrian left. This provided enough time for the rest of the Austrian army to set up a new battle line in the town of Leuthen. 

Here are a few pictures of the wargame, fought using troops at a 1 to 10 ratio of figures to men, and using the Batailles dans l'Ancien Regime ("BAR") rules. Click on all pictures to enlarge the view.

Austrians deploy one of their brigades adjacent to the Leuthen church.

A view of the Austrian left flank anchored by Leuthen on the right and Sagchutz on the left.

A view of the initial Austrian deployment on their right flank.

The Prussian attack on the Austrian left flank is deployed and ready to move forward.

The unfortunate Bavarians and Wurttemburgers have to bear the brunt of the Prussian attack.

Austrian dragoons stop the first wave of Prussian cuirassiers on the attack.

Colonel Muller deploys his heavy Prussian Brummers on the Judenberg and prepares to enfilade the Austrian position with cannon ball and canister.

The Austrian right flank was not allowed to react for several turns, so they remain stationary as the battle begins.

Austrian de Ligne Dragoons and a regiment of infantry march through Leuthen to shore up the left flank.

More Austrians on the move.

The Austrians attempt to form a new battle line on their left flank, but are now receiving fire from front and flank.

The famous Windmill Hill, where the Austrians set up their final line of defense.