Kufstein Campaign Day 7

27 May 1813 - Southern Germany - Day 7

Massena fights second day at Obersdorf

7^th army fight to defend Obersdorf

8^th army regroup and resupply at Kufstein

9^th army regroup and resupply at Worgl

 

Schwarzenberg orders continued attack on Obersdorf

1^st army attack Obersdorf

2^nd army regroup and resupply at Sankt Johann

3^rd army regroup and resupply at Kitzbuhel

Battle of Obersdorf – Second Day – Move 6

7^th Bavarian army retreat to join the garrison of Obersdorf

1^st Austrian army continue the attack for a second day

 

This photo was taken half way through the game.  

On the right 1^st Austrian corps have defeated and routed 9^th Bavarian corps.

On the left 10^th Bavarian corps have defeated and routed 2^nd Austrian corps

The Bavaians are swinging left to support the garrison of Obersdorf

In the centre the Austrian reserve and 1^st corps artillery are bombarding the town

 

Over the next four moves the Austrians would take the right hand section of the town

9^th Bavarian corps counter attack would rout the Austrian reserve including those in the town.

 

Casualties were very high on both sides

Bavarians have lost 15 infantry, 3 cavalry and 2 artillery casualties (6500 men)

Austrians have lost 10 infantry and 5 cavalry casualties (4500 men)

 

Comment

Against all the odds, and my forecast at the end of the last post, the Bavarians have won!

 

It is quite hard to explain why without going into massive, and probably boring, detail.

It was mainly because both sides had suffered heavy casualties in earlier battles

It would only take one casualty for a brigade to rout, often taking others with them

And this would largely depend on who “moved” first .

 

In our wargame rules each commander has a poker chip

They are placed in a bag at the end of each move

Next move the first chip drawn determines which corps will move first

This allows them to fire on the enemy, possibly cause a casualty often resulting in a rout

They can also initiate a cavalry or infantry melee, allowing them an “impact” bonus

This can be enough to swing the melee in their favour

 

This, and the influence of dice, is what makes our games so interesting – at least for us

It also makes them very unpredictable.   The game can often be won or lost in the last move.

 

It is rather boring to say that this was yet another very interesting wargame.

It often surprises me that even after 52 years married and gaming together Jan and I can still surprise each other.

At least on the wargame table.