Age of Reason

This is an After Action Report (AAR) for the Battle of
Vellinghausen that was gamed on November 20, 2005 with
Peter B. and Justin T. as the French and Tim S. and Dave A. as
the British/Allies. Most of the figures on the table were
painted by Peter B. and Igor O.

The Battle of Vellinghausen took place on July 15, 1761, in North West Germany.
Vellinghausen is located between the Lippe and Ahse rivers. The Archduke Ferdinand
of Brunswick commanded the allies against Prince Soubise and the Duc de Broglie who
were commanding the French army. The French commanders did not get along very
well, with the result that the French did not co-ordinate their attacks against the allies.
Prince Soubise did not adequately support Broglie's attack on the British left, leading to a
British victory and 5,000 French casualties (4,700 to Broglie and 300 to Soubise).

This shows the beginning of the battle on the
British right, which is anchored on the Ahse
river. The game is set to run for eight turns.

This shows the beginning of the battle on the
British left. You can see Vellinghausen in this
picture (to the right).

Here is the attacking French army. The
French have more cavalry and artillery
then the British, but no grenadiers (who
were all taken by Soubise the day
before). The British have an elite unit of
highlanders on the high ground.

Turn 1 sees the French advancing and the
British deploying their lines on the high
ground while moving some forces into
Vellinghausen itself. By Turn 2 the
artillery starts to fire as a cavalry action is
developing on the British right.

At the beginning of Turn 3, two units of
French dragoons charge the British right
and meet a unit of dragoons commanded
by Archduke Ferdinand himself. On the
British left, the French approach
Vellinghausen as two British regiments
prepare to defend the town.

Turn 4. The French win the cavalry
engagement on the right, breaking the
British dragoons. But, British dragoons
from the reserve counter attack and force
the disorganized French cavalry to take a
morale check, which fails. The French
cavalry rout, saving the allies' right flank.
On the left, the infantry start to line up in
preparation for the first real volleys.

At the beginning of Turn 5, the cavalry
have fought to a draw on the British right.
The French reserve cavalry is moving up
though. Meanwhile, the French and the
allies have met on the left and in the
center, where a fierce fire fight is
developing. Turn 6 sees the lines moving
closer together and the casualties going
up. The real action is on the high ground
in the center where some units reach 50%
casualties but refuse to give ground. A
French battalion tries to charge into
Vellinghausen, but is repulsed by canister
shot and musket fire.

As Turn 6 comes to an end you can see fire
raging across the battlefield as the French close
on Vellinghausen, the high ground is contested
and the cavalry regroup on the British right
(which is closest to the viewer in this picture).

Turn 7 sees the French holding on the
British/allied right and center while a drive
is made for Vellinghausen on the left. A
British regiment forms a square on the
right to protect from the French cavalry
which has re-organized and is menacing
the flank. The highlanders at the center of
the allied line are reduced to 50%, but
they hold and continue to fight.

Turn 8 is the final turn. The French press
in the center and attempt to charge into
Vellinghausen. The highlanders in the
center finally break, but ultimately the
French assault is unsuccessful. The battle
ends as it did historically: as an allied
victory. The French commanders were
able to get a better result than their
historical counterparts though, as the
casualty count was much closer. The
allies held onto both victory objectives
(the high ground and Vellinghausen).

The Battle of Vellinghausen (15mm Age of Reason)