Lobositz, 1st October 1756
The following photographs were taken during a refight of Lobositz during December 2003 in Christchurch New Zealand using "Volley & Bayonet" miniature rules. The models and terrain are from the collection of Alastair Penney and are from Irregular Miniatures' 2mm range. All figures are based on V&B half scale bases. Each turn represents one hour and one inch equals 200 yards. The battlefield of Lobositz measures a very compact 3' x 2'.
The Austrian commander Field Marshal von Browne (Alastair Penny) had deployed some 35,000 men on the battlefield while Frederick (Keith McNelly) had around 28,000 men available for the attack. The Prussians must capture Lobositz and inflict more casualties on the Austrians, or drive the Austrians from the field.
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The
town of Lobositz is visible in the top right of the picture, not visible
and north of it is the smaller village of Welhotta. The River Elbe curves around the top right
and is unfordable.
The small village in the middle, near the stream, is Sullowitz. The stream crossing the table left to right is the marshy banked Morellen-Bach. Crossing this stream disorders troops, creating a significant obstacle. Visible, along the Morellen-Bach, are two significant carp ponds which, at these points, makes the Morellen-Bach uncrossable. |
The Austrian army, on the right, was split by the Morellen-Bach stream, a significant portion being north of it around the town of Lobositz. A sunken roadconnects the bridge crossing of the Morellen-Bach and Lobositz. The Prussians advanced from the left, or west.
Below is a general view of the battle around 9am. The initial Prussian advance on the Prussian left flank has been halted by Austrians deployed in front of Lobositz and harassed by Croats on the Lobosh-Berg hill, an area of broken ground northwest of Lobositz and astride the Prussian left flank. Now the Prussian attack switches to the centre where a solid line of Prussian infantry regiments have advanced rapidly and confront a weakening Austrian centre. In the 10am turn the Austrians fall back to the sunken road.
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The
significant part of the Austrian infantry , on an angle
from the bottom left to centre, did not cross the marshy banked Morellen-Bach
stream in the face of the Prussians. They were however, able to provide some supporting fire as
the Prussian
line was exposed to battalion gun and musket fire being
positioned against the Morellen-Bach.
Some four Austrian Infantry Regiments did cross the Morellen-Bach via the Austrian rear. They are just visible on the right preparing to cross. They were then able to recover disorder and reinforce the detachments of light infantry, protected by Austrian cavalry, holding the sunken road. |
This movement of more troops to strengthen the sunken road created such a strong defensive obstacle to the Prussians that Frederick decided, with casualties mounting, to retire from the battlefield while his army was still in good order.
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close up view of some Prussian Infantry Regiments. Each linear V&B stand is
1.5" wide by 0.75" deep and has two 2mm troop bases
mounted on it. Three Prussian infantry regiments are illustrated here in the front line with
a further regiment in the second line. This photo was taken at the
beginning of the battle. The Prussians have just started to deploy from
their initial positions on the the Holmolka-Berg a hill on the Prussian
right flank. It is worth noting that the table, hills and troops are all
flocked.
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A
close up view, this time of Austrian infantry regiments and artillery. In
the foreground are two Austrian artillery battalions each representing
around 12 actual guns. Each base is 0.75" wide
by 1.5" deep and mounts two artillery pieces and two limbers.
This photo was taken near Lobositz town, which is actually just to the right of this picture. The River Elbe is visible in the rear. More Austrian infantry are advancing from the rear to extend the Austrian line. This Austrian gun line, with it's supporting infantry, was to play a critical part in halting the initial Prussian attacks by Bevern's Division. The initial Prussian plan called for a concentrated attack on the Prussian left while the centre and right flanks blocked. However, Bevern's division was soon exhausted by the very accurate Austrian musket and cannon fire. As a result the attack switched to the centre as was illustrated and described above. |
Below is a view of Lobositz town itself. The town base measures 3" x 2" and has an Irregular town sector mounted on the base, which is then flocked. Each town sector is numbered and troops garrisoning the town are placed off table on a numbered tray.
In our refight two Austrian Infantry Regiments were deployed in Lobositz. The Prussian infantry failed to reach the town due to excessive casualties. Have they been able to eject the Austrian defenders it is unlikely they would have repulsed the Austrian counter-attacks. Especially as the two Prussian Grenadier Regiments, the elite of the Prussian infantry, were early casualties in the battle. |
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