Prussian King Frederick flees the Field

It is April 1741. Having occupied Silesia, King Frederick II’s Prussians are faced with an Austrian army, led by Field Marshal von Neipperg, determined to retake the province.

The Prussians march through snow to bring the Austrians to battle at Mollwitz. They have more and infantry and guns than the Austrians but fewer cavalry.

Moving up in columns, the Austrians shake out into line to meet the enemy.

Lt Colonel Posadowsky’s  left wing Prussian cavalry form up beyond a stream, determined to hold that flank against superior numbers of Austrian horse.

A swirling cavalry combat ensues. Led by the gallant Ulysses von Browne, the Austrians soon gain the upper hand — helped in no small measure by von Browne’s uncanny ability to roll lots of fives and sixes.

Most of the Prussian cavalry are driven back and some rout. The Prussian infantry bend their line to face the threat.

At the same time von Berlichgen’s Austrian cavalry move forward on the other wing to engage the enemy. Their Hussars are positioned as a screen on their right to shield the cuirassiers and dragoons from Prussian musketry.

The Hussars reel from the effects of Prussian infantry volleys. They evade when von Schulenburg’s cuirassiers charge them.

Perhaps due the shock of the musket fire, the hussars do not move with their usual alacrity. The Prussian cuirassiers catch and break them. To make matters worse for the Austrians a supporting line of dragoons is also caught up in the rout.

This boost to Prussian morale is short-lived. The massed ranks of cavalry on the Austrian far left drive the other Prussian cavalry from the field.

A battalion of Prussian grenadiers finds itself isolated, facing Austrian cuirassiers.  At close range the grenadiers deliver what should have been a well disciplined volley. Alas! Prussian discipline seems to be lacking this day. They shoot wildly and their musketry has no effect. The Austrian cavalry change home and slaughter the Prussians. The morale effect of this loss and the loss of most of their cavalry begins to tell on the other Prussian units.

At this point most of the Prussian cavalry on both wings have been driven off. King Frederick arrays his foot to fend off potential flank attacks. The Prussian infantry still outnumber the Austrian foot but many of them have to re-deploy to hold off the Austrian cavalry threats so they cannot mass their full strength to break through in the centre.

The denouement comes when von Brownes’ cavalry drive off the remaining Prussian cavalry on the Austrian right to come around the rear of the Prussian infantry.

Another regiment of Austrian cuirassiers defies the odds to charge the battalion holding the Prussian left flank. Once again Prussian musketry does not live up to its reputation and von Browne’s uncanny ability to roll high dice continues. The cavalry break through, turning the Prussian left.

At this point King Frederick’s staff officers urge the Prussian king to seek safety before he is killed or captured.

Celebrating the Austrian victory, Field Marshal von Neipperg takes a moment to admire some of the trophies taken from the Prussians as they fled the field. No doubt it will not be long before Silesia is firmly back under Austrian control.

It was a most exciting game. The rules used were Close Fire and European Order with a few tweaks to represent superior Prussian drill and musketry. The dice gods decided that Prussian discipline still needs further harsh improvement.