Battle of Hochkirch14th October, 1757)

Rules Used: Warfare in the Age of Reason
Scale: 15mm
Figures: Essex, Old Glory, Freikorps
Turn Length: 10
Special Rules: No Prussian units can be activated until: (a) Turn 3 (b) When an Austrian unit moves within 4".
This scenario is adapted from the Battle of Hochkirk in Die Kriegskunst.

By October 1757 Frederick had removed his battered army from their entanglements with the Russians. Having given up Silesea, Frederick centered his army in Saxony. As it was resting and refitting, the Austrians under the command of Field Marshal Daun (PB) attacked the Prussian positions around Hochkirk. Their objective was to seize the Hochkirk Heights and remove the Prussians from the town. Leading a flank march from the west would be General Loudon and his mixed force of Croats and Line Infantry. Assaulting Hochkirk Hill would be units from Generals D'Aynse, Sincere, Starhemberg, and Bathyani.

(L-R: Field Marshal Loudon, Field Marshal Lacy, Artist's rendering of Croats)

The Prussian commander, Field Marshal Keith (IO) set his army facing what he perceived to be the center of the expected Austrian attack- the east. Medium guns were dug in facing the east whilst grenadiers under von Schmettau took the position on the Hill. General von Kanitz had his infantry units deployed within Hochkirk while to their north (off the table) the units of Prince Karl von Brandenberg were encamped.

(L-R: Frederick the Great, Field Marshal Keith, General von Schmettau)

In the morning, the Austrians set off and began to press the attack on the Hill. Two infantry battlations quickly engaged the Grenadiers while reinforcements moved to their right and left flanks, protecting them. General Loudon's column moved down the road towards Hochkirch under a screen of Croats. The General von Schmettau deployed a unit of grenadiers forward to delay them while General von Kanitz quickly moved his units through Hochkirch.

General Loudon's Division sets off towards Hochkirch.....

...and the fighting for the Hill intensifies...

...while more Prussians move to join the fight....

Soon, the Prussian guns were manned and the Grenadier divisions were putting up a stiff resistance. However, they soon fell back from their positons from the weight of the Austrian attack. At this time, the valant men of Grenadier Battalion 3/6 charged the Austrians to hold off their advance. This timely charge cost the Austrians precious time as it held up the advance.

(L-R: More Prussians arrive- An artists rendition of the charge- The Croats engage)

This timely charge cost the Austrians precious time. As the day pressed on the Austrians deployed on their right- all the while under the fire of the Prussian guns in Hochkirk. On the Austrian left, the Croats succeded in outflankingvon Brandenberg's division. Soon, Brandenberg's battalions began to fall back and the men of the 3/6 were killed to the man. This victory was short lived as the Austrians began to run out of energy and their attacks began to stall.

In the end, the Prussians held out while the Austrians took one of two objectives. Casualties were high, but General Keith held out.