1758. The campaign for the control of Saxony 5.

 The Croats fall back to the far edge of the vineyard. Loudons and the btn gun has little choice but to also withdraw along the road. Prussian IR10 moves up to the cover of the vineyard and prepares to fire. The Prussian garrison regiment has now arrived in column to support IR10. A despatch rider has been sent to warn General Lindestadt that Austrian forces have been located. Two btns of Hungarian regiment IR37, a btn gun with an escort of Hadik hussars are within two moves reach of the vineyard, advancing in column with the Hussars scouting ahead.

                                            The Croats withdraw to the far end of the vineyard

                                            A btn of the Prussian garrison regiment moves up in support.

1758. The campaign for the control of Saxony 4.

 The Croats and Loudon's open  fire on the advancing IR10 who are still in column. The btn take two casualties including one of their senior officers. Despite this, their morale remains good and they deploy into line before advancing.

                                        The Croats give fire, safely under the cover of the vineyard      

                                        

IR10 continues to move forward

IR10 returns fire on the vineyard and the Croats take one casualty. IR10 receive another two casualtiesy, 

but morale remains good, as they approach the edge of the vineyard. The Prussian casualties can be

clearly seen in the picture below. No word has yet been sent to the other Prussian column, but the supporting garrison regiment is in close support behind.

1758. The Campaign for the control of Saxony. 3

Prussian IR10 von Knoblock deploys into line to face the Grenz and Loudon infantry in the vinyard.

Both sides also deploy their btn guns. Meanwhile, von Meinicke decides at this early stage, not to send a courier to inform the other Prussian column. Further south, more Austrians are assembled, but they have yet to move north. The two forces prepare for fire .......

                                                    Loudon's and the Croats in the vineyard

                                                    Both sides have deployed into line.                                                  

1758. The campaign for the control of Saxony. 2

Von Meinicke divides his force into two columns. His own column consists of one btn of IR10 von Knobloch and 1 btn of garrison regiment von Sydow. They leave Sonnenstein, south of Pirna and follow the route to Krietzschwitz via Postmasters vineyard. The other column, consisting of IR35 Prinz Heinrich fusiliers, 3rd von Meinicke dragoons and 2 squadrons of von Zeiten hussars, under von Lindstedt takes the eastern road to Krietzschitz. The road is heavy going, having been badly roughened upby civilians coming and going to Pirna.

 

Although the weather was now fair, baggage carts were still sticking on the roads and much time was lost.

IR10 von Knobloch lead the struggling column, and pressed forward, looking for signs of Austrian activity.

A Croat Grenzer Btn, GIR1 Likaner had occupied the Postmaster vinyard, overlooking the road south.

They were supported by a small 3 pounder cannon, and two hundred men from Loudon Grenadiers.

                                                   Loudons Grenadiers take position on the road .

                                                IR10 von Knobloch lead the Prussian column

Croats take up position in the vinyard.

                                            Prussian IR10 continue to advance down the road.

1758. The Campaign for control of Saxony

 The year is 1758. Fighting continues on all fronts. Saxony is now under the control of Prussia, who are fighting to hold back Austrian raids on the territory. The capital Dresden, Pirna and Konigstein castle are all occupied by Prussian soldiers.. Forces are under the command of Prince Frederick Henry Louis of Prussia, brother of Frederick the Great. He has based his army around the town of Pirna, strategically placed on the banks of the river Elbe.

Pirna 1758  (Canaletto)

Prince Henry has received reports from a detachments of the von Zieten Hussars who had interrogated Saxon farmers and received reports that an Austrian force had arrived at Krietzschwitz, some miles south of Pirna.

                                                                   Map of Pirna area

Prince Henry decides to send out a small force from Pirna to investigate the area, and to possibly drive out the Austrians,if the rumours were found to be true.

The task is given to Major General Peter von Meinicke (3rd Dragoons). His second in command is Major General von Lindstedt (IR27). Despite it still being summer, and it still being the main campaigning season, the weather in early August has been unseasonably bad, with heavy rain turning roads into bog lands. Von Meinicke decided to split his force and use both of the roads which lead south to Krietzschwitz. He would lead his cavalry, taking the longer northern route which ran parallel with the Elbe. This would be lead by two squadrons of von Zieten's hussars scouting ahead, followed by a full regiment of the von Meinicke (3rd) dragoons.

Von Lindstedt with the infantry would take the shorter southern route by way of Postmaster's Vinyard. This consisted of a battalion of experienced IR10 von Knobloch in the vanguard, followed by IR35 Fusiliers (Prinz Heinrich) and a battalion of garrison regiment von Sydow, bringing up the rear. 

The regiments depart Pirna:

                                                        

                                                 

                                                        1st Battalion IR10 von Knobloch

                                                    IR35 Fusilier Regiment Prince Heinrich

                                                1st Battalion Garrison Regiment von Sydow

                                                          3rd Dragoons (von Meinicke)

                                      

                                                Two squadrons 2nd Zieten Hussars

Claymore 2024

 On Saturday we attended the annual Claymore show in Edinburgh. There seemed to be fewer retailers than last year, possibly the timing of the show, which clashes with the start of the Edinburgh festival, makes accommodation very expensive. We had a most enjoyable day, with lots of interest and questions about our display. I had previously shown it at Partizan, but I wanted the chance for it to be seen in Scotland. If we had a pound for every photograph taken, we would have gone home with very heavy pockets !

My plan is to offer my 40mm French, British, Prussian and Austrian armies for sale in the near future. (Over 3000 figures !). This will allow me to focus on building the new 30mm armies.

Next up is Kulmbach on Friday, which I am really looking forward to. I am not really a flats collector, but I do admire the quality of work on display, and as the show only happens every two years, it is just too good to miss.

A few photos of Saturdays game, which won best of show, and a very embarrassed me accepting the award !

Claymore - Edinburgh

 

On Saturday we head to Claymore to remember our friend Stuart Insch :

Stuart Insch 1973 – 2024

Almost exactly a year ago five wargamers met on a sunny afternoon for an outdoor wargame. It was

the host’s 50 th birthday and while our wives chatted and drank wine at one end of the garden, the

five of us refought the Battle of the Alma at the other end, using some excellent figures and terrain.

It was beautiful afternoon, the game was good, played in a gentlemanly manner and was rounded

off with a barbecue. Later, when the wives had adjourned indoors (for more chatting and wine!), we

five sat in the garden until late and talked of wargaming, films, books and favourite bands until it

was dark (OK we were also enjoying some beverages!).

The birthday boy, who was our host that day was Stuart Insch. Many people in the wargaming circles

will have known Stuart. He was a member of the Aberdeen and Old Meldrum Clubs, the Wild Geese,

an author of several books, a blogger, (on wargames, malt whisky and Alfa Romeos), the painter of

multitudinous figures and a planner of many games and campaigns. Sadly, Stuart was taken from us

by cancer earlier this year, leaving many plans and ideas unfinished and a big gap in all our lives. The

four of us, who were his guests that idyllic afternoon felt that we needed to do something to

commemorate Stuart and his contribution to our hobby.

“Descent on the French Coast” is a Seven Years War display game, largely built by Graham Hilditch,

figures and terrain, as a lock-down project. Graham, with Stuart’s assistance (aka “The Friends of a

Military Gentleman”), presented the game at Partizan in October 2021, where it won the award for

Best of Show. The game has never been displayed in Scotland, so it is with pride that we display the

game today at Claymore.

We would like to thank Stuart’s wife, Pauline and son, Lewis for permission to dedicate this game to

our dear departed friend.

Graham Hilditch - Eric Duncanson - Bill Smith - John Allen

Friends of Stuart

“Remember the Alma!”