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Wargaming the Seven Years War with 40mm miniatures, done by: Johann-Peter Scheck and Anselm Scheck

Thursday, July 12, 2018

Summer battle: Prussians stop the French at Mayence









The last period we didn´t post anything new, because of the active preparation for our annual summer battle. So, I finished some French cavalry units, completed the command stand and worked on the rule book.
At the weekend, finally, we met all together at my father´s house near Mayence and arranged in his garden the tabletop, the gaming mat and all the terrain elements.
The scenario provided a battle between the advancing French army under General Montcalm to the Rhine, where the Prussians awaited them in an area with meadows, a village and a forest - to stop their advance to the East.
It was a splendid war-game and we tested our rules again and again and still had to confess, that we should work on details (shooting points, bonus systems, morale etc...).

That are the French Generals: my son-in-law, Roman, and me.

And the Prussian commanders: my son Levent and Anselm, my nephew.


The army box with sheets, dices, markers...

... and the army sheets with values, combat forces, morale and general informations about each regiment..



















































The deployment: The French on the left side formed a long rank with the infantry. Their left wing was positioned in front of the village, the right flank was with massed cavalry. The Prussians stood on the hill with a powerful battery and placed infantry and cavalry more open and flexible. Two absolutely different styles of strategy promised an exciting game....

The village shows a bucolic and quiet view..

.. but behind, the Prussians are preparing the artillery fire...

on the other side, the French "Gensdarmes de la Garde" stood ready for capturing the village...

...flanked by the "Chasseurs"..

... but Prussians Jaegers awaited them behind hedgerows and buildings..

First attack by the Chasseurs to the village and the fire opening of the whole battle....

What they didn´t see, was the elite regiment of Prussian Cuirassiers, the "Berlin Gensdarmes" ....

...assisted by the terrific mortar. His first shot killed most of the invading Chasseurs, even before they could enter into a skirmish.. Nice Nürnberger Meisterzinn and Prince August figures!

On the other flank, the Prussians had a powerful cavalry and horse artillery...

..but the French cavalry regiment "Orléans" opened the initiative and attacked the artillery and the 18. regiment

Counterattack by Prussian Red Hussars

... and the Prussian Canaries swarmed out to reach the flank of Orléans!

Prussian headquarter on the hill, under French artillery fire..... one of the guns is already out of order...

Prussian Cuirassiers preparing the 2nd wave of charge...

French "Mestre du Camps" and "Commissaire Général" attacked Prussian Dragoons and Cuirassiers!! They were thrown back 2x by the Prussian counterattack....


The French center is advancing in line formation during the overheated battle between the cavalry units...

Langermann Dragoons in counterattack

French have to re-order their troops....

Typical Prussian formation: infantry, battalion gun and cavalry - a deadly mixture...


But the French center moves forward - in great discipline! Here: Royal Pologne and Auvergne

Their counterpart: Prussian Regiments 40, 25, 13...


....followed by 49 and 34...

French marching to the hill..

positioning French battery

The French were successful in the center. The long rank with 6 regiments, shoulder on shoulder, assisted by heavy artillery fire, pushed the Prussians back and caused them several casualties. They should retreat to the hill for getting some medical points to turn back later... The French tried now to reach the hill and to capture the battery position...

.. same scene

Wonderful miniatures (Trident!)...

But the Prussians thrown their last reserves into the battle...

French won terrain, but still not the battle...

Chartres, Champagne, Flandres and the Gardes Françaises




Orléans cavalry attacks the Prussian 18th regiment using our "break-into-infantry"-rule and caused several casualties...

Second attack by French light cavalry

The Swiss are called to support the front lines... 
The French headquarter: discussion about next steps..

Same with the CinCs... in large scale..

... and in small scale...

Retreating Prussians with 3 hits... (shaken)...
All in all a wonderful game with a duration of 2,5 hours and some advantages for the French. The won more terrain, but had more casualties than the Prussians. 
We lost a lot of time for each turn (30-40 minutes) and couldn't´t really find a fast decision in the battle. The French had more privates, the Prussians had better shooting points - so it was equal by force, but any kind of "Blitzkrieg" on one side or the other wasn't possible. 
Maybe we have to change the effect of the dices.

We will try, next time, also to raise the speed of the game. 

41 comments:

  1. What a fantastic looking game wonderful!!

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    1. Thank you, Willie! It was a great day with my co-players - of course, full of emotions!
      Peter

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  2. I reiterate the comments of Mr Anderson 'Wonderful'. I cannot imagine any hobby moments much better than a set-up such as the one in the photographs and enjoyed by family members.
    Regards
    John Ray

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    1. Dear John, you are so right: the game was splendid and time passed too fast - we only could play 4 turns in 2,5 hours... and wanted to continue till the evening.. But if the family lives so sprawled and far away from each other, you have to take every moment...
      Peter

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  3. Fabulous; a joy to look at and an inspiration.
    Best regards, Simon

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    1. Oh Simon, it´a joy to have you here! Thank you very much for the kind comment!
      Peter

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  4. Comme toujours un vrai régal mon ami! Le soin apporté aux photos, l'ambiance, et bien sûr les magnifiques figurines et décors...tout est parfait! Merci pour ce grand moment...

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    1. Merci mon ami, pour tes mots! J´adore ces batailles en plein air et au soleil d´été, autour ma famille, d´ou j´ai déjà gagné trois pour jouer le jeu avec moi!!

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  5. Replies
    1. That´s so kind of you - I really appreciate your comment - it motivates me to continue!
      Peter

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  6. Merci pour ce compte rendu, bravo pour cette magnifique table et ces superbes figurines.
    Thank you for this report, for this beautiful decor and these figurines

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    1. Merci à toi, et pour les compliments flattants! Wargaming c´est une des plus belles choses on peu jouer, je trouve.
      Tu es toujours bienvenu ici!
      Peter

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  7. A beautiful looking wargame the terrain and figures match perfectively

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    1. Thank you very much! The bases are hold in the same tone like the mat, that is also better for the pictures.....
      Peter

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  8. Génial, inégalé, magnifique! Une table exceptionnelle qui ne se trouve nulle part sur les sites wargaming du web. Les bâtiments sont magnifiques et tout le scénario est parfait. Félicitations! Salutations de la, lointaine et froide, République Argentine . Carlos

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    1. Mon cher Carlos, comme toujours, tes mots sont chaleureux et flattants - mais aussi, j´adore comme tu t´exprimés pour notre hobby. C´est un grand honneur de te recevoir ici et merci pour tout! Meilleurs voeux de la Bavière!!
      Peter

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  9. I always enjoy reading about your annual summer game. It is beautiful to behold.

    Jim

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    1. Dear Jim, it is a great pleasure to see that you like it. Thank you so much for your comment - makes me proud!
      Peter

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  10. Utterly splendid looking game. What glorious figures on equally glorious terrain. Thanks for sharing pictures of your summer battle with us once more.
    Alan

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    1. Thank you, Alan! If the long transport of construction elements for the table, trees, buildings and figures wouldn't´t take so much energy and time before and after the game, it is a splendid moment.
      Thank you for being here.
      Peter

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  11. Replies
    1. Thanks, Steve! Glad to have you here!
      Peter

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  12. Fantastic!! The troops and the terrain look and the setting very inviting. What I really like is how well the terrain matches to background (even when not being help by the computer..).

    It is unfortunate that while a large table full of beautiful troops looks inspiring, it is hard to accomplish a fast, exciting, decisive battle with sweeping attacks. Perhaps there is something to cutting the grass short and using the whole garden?

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    1. Hahaha, yes, cutting the grass is a great idea!! Indeed we have to intensify the game and work on the rules for making it faster.
      Thank you for your kind words!
      Peter

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  13. A superb looking game, I always enjoy your games, the figures, buildings and terrain. The French look splendid, all in all very inspiring. Thank you for sharing.

    Paul

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    1. Thank you, Paul! We have a wonderful hobby, haven´t we?
      Peter

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  14. Just wonderful!
    The games you put on really are some of the finest out there.
    This gets me even more in the mood for my trip to Potsdam next week!
    Thank you for the post

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    1. Yes, Potsdam is great to visit, especially the gardens of the king and the Dutch district form 17th century. Bon voyage and thank you for posting such a kind comment!!
      Peter

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  15. Magnificent! Great mix of scenic images and overview, so that it is possible to follow the fights development. Stunning perspective and really enjoyable posting. Thanks alot for sharing! (Whats happening in the French headquarter right beneath the tent? Exploring hills and valleys?) Outcome of the battle seems to be somehow similar to history, when diplomates discussed after the battle who had won ;-)

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    1. Haha, thank you, Fritze!! This is so kind of you to post such a comment! Indeed, wargaming is a fine thing in life, but we are already sitting and discussing the rules to optimize....
      Peter

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  16. Great report. I love that you were able to do it outside.

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    1. Thank you, Duke! Wargaming outside is really a pleasure - if you have a sunny day - last 3 battles the rain came..
      Peter

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  17. Lovely and impressive looking game, marvelous work on your armies and scenery!
    Best Iain

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    1. Thank you Iain, for this kind comment! Glad to have you here!
      Peter

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  18. Peter your blog is always such a pleasure but the Summer game in the sunshine is the best. Wonderful photographs and a very careful blend of computer assistance with sunlight and natural effects, you are to be heartily congratulated. I do have sympathy that when you play with family there are always other pressures and I hope your sons/nephew enjoyed even that short time. Your collection is very special indeed and looks like a great experience to play on that terrain with the magnificent figures. Your French commenters say it better in their language so in English "Bravo" hardly does it justice. Please keep up the good work. Have you tried using "Honours of War" rules? They might give you a speedier game. Best wishes Chris

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    1. Dear Chris, thank you so much for this touching comment and the support you give us in this hobby. I really appreciate your thoughts and I can detect the artist in you - you are the only one who is able to see the composition of an image, created by light, shadow, fore- and background. It´s such an honor to have you here. thank you very, very much!
      Peter

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  19. Spectacular gaming! The figures, terrain, photography and venue unsurpassed.

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    1. Dear Dean, it´s such a pleasure to read your comments - always! You give me power and enthusiasm for continuing! Thank you for that!
      Peter

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  20. So gorgeous, Your work is amazing! thanks for sharing...

    Zinnfiguren

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  21. Stark, was für super Bilder bei Sonnenlicht rauskommen!

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  22. Very nice figures and battle! At our war-game table, we forbid the placement of rules, dice, paper, cups, etc., on the battle terrain. You could build little tables and put them off to the side for holding those items. We call it "Spoiling the Panoply"

    Cheers,

    Captain Nolan


    Sehr schöne Figuren und Schlacht! An unserem Kriegsspieltisch verbieten wir das Platzieren von Regeln, Würfeln, Papier, Bechern usw. auf dem Schlachtgelände. Sie könnten kleine Tische bauen und sie zur Seite legen, um diese Gegenstände zu halten. Wir nennen es "Verderben der Panoply"

    Prost,

    Kapitän Nolan

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