"Austro-Prussian War AAR" Topic

Yesterday we played an Austro-Prussian War game. Lots of fun and a close result. An AAR is filed here:

link

great looking game .nice to see the hussars painted

But don't look too closely at the painting on the hussars – not my best work by a long way!

Looks great, wonderful period, didn't see the name of the Rules Set you were using? Or have you written your own?

Hi Stracm,

My favourite war, and it looks great! Any reason the Prussians have left their flags in the baggage train?! 😃😱

Mollinary

The rules are home grown.

The flags are missing because this was originally a Franco-Prussian army and flags were rarely carried by the Prussian regiments in that war – instead they either carried the flags covered or just the pole with only the campaign ribbons. I have yet to verify if this was the practice in 1866 – many illustrations show it, but I don't know if that is just artistic license.

Sorry, but I have to disagree on this one. Prussian flags were universally carried in the FPW, and the APW (and even in 1914!). And all the regiments raised after the 1860 reforms would have had ones in almost pristine condition. The reason for the Pole only and ribbon idea is that a number of the oldest regiments, in particular the 12 Grenadier regiments, had only rags of their original flags left. They did not leave them at home, that was all that was left, and they carried them with pride! The official Prussian history of their flags published in the 19th century has a table recording their condition (yes, truly Prussian attention to detail!), including which flags were battle damaged in these two wars. If you are interested in getting a photo copy of this book (originals are very rare and hugely expensive) you might want to visit the historischer-bilderdienst.de site. In addition on the North Star Miniatures site, if you go to the North Star Magazine, there is also an archive of stuff on 1866 which includes this table. Well worth a look!

Best regards,

Mollinary

Mollinary,

Happy to stand corrected here. I like to see flags on units! The photocopied reference that I had to the lack of flags in 1870 is regrettably lost, but I had always assumed it correct – especially after the Foundry manufactured their Prussian Standard bearer with campaign ribbon cast in such a way that it was not possible to add a flag! I will check out those references tonight.

Like you I am very keen on this period – as you may have gathered from the title of my blog. I just wish some 28mm manufacturers could be encouraged to make some of the other states – Bavarian, Hannover, Saxony, etc.

Regard

Mark

Mark,

Happy to help. I have read your blog with great interest, particularly the wonderful large scale maps with formations illustrated. May I ask their source? Flags has been a particular study for me, initially because so little reliable information was available for war gaming this period. A few fortunate purchases, a German dictionary, and visits to and contact with museums has helped a lot! The best one stop source for German flags of this period was written in the 1930s by Fiebig, and titled Unsterbliche Treue. The web, particularly Abe Books, turns up a copy every now and then.
I would share your pain on figures – if I hadn't gone the 10mm route and found Pendraken answered all my prayers!
Mollinary

Hi Stracm,

More fool me! A more thorough read of your blog has answered my question. It will teach me to go all the way to the end of a piece. Have you read Henderson's work on Worth/Froeschwiller, re-published by Helion? A great little book, and worthy companion to his magisterial work on Spicheren (also available from Helion).

Mollinary

Mollinary, glad to hear they carried flags. Of course our lads would have them anyway, even if it was a stretch.

Mollinary,

Yes I have a copies of both the Henderson books: Wörth was disappointingly light compared to Spicheren. My only complaint is that both works are too German centric. The French troops fought bravely and well in both battles, despite their leaders, but their efforts are not well represented in Henderson. My book on those two battles is complete and lurking in the wings. I had hoped to publish at the end of this month but real life is getting in the way – for me, dwelling in the nether region of the Antipodes, this is supposed to be a quiet time as we bask in the summer weather, but not so this year and it has been a full on since the beginning of January. But I will publish this year.

Well, you've sold your first copy! I shall really look forward to that.
I know what you mean about Henderson, but I think he is probably not alone among professional military writers in having concentrated on the victors when looking for lessons! I still found the book on Worth very useful when walking around the fields.
Mollinary

Count me in for your second sale.

I really enjoyed the AAR! 1866 is also one of my favorites. I tend to like it more than 1870. I use 1/72 figs to do it even though I own a load of 15mm ones. 1/72 tends to be my scale of choice. The battles tend to be more gameable if you are doing each unit is a battalion. Those opening battles are mainly Corps on Corps or less.

I received Wargaming in History Volume 8 1866 for my birthday in January. I', quite happy with it. Lots of eye candy, scenarios, battle reports and some color plates.Very motivational.

Thanks,

John

Glad you like it John!

Mollinary

Mollinary,

I am extremely jealous that you have visited Froeschweiller! Three years ago I had two weeks in Toulouse on a training course and on the weekend between the two weeks I had planned to fly to Strasbourg, rent a car and drive to Wissembourg and Froeschweiller and then return to Toulouse via Strasbourg. But alas my careful plans unravelled when I couldn't get an itinerary that would get me back in time for the start of the second week of the course.

Have been lucky to visit a couple of times, and will probably make it three in July, when I may join the Cultural Experience Franco-Prussian War tour led by my good friend John Dz. Hope you manage to make it sometime, I am sure you will get a lot out of it.

Mollinary

Now I am truly jealous.

There are still some advantages to living in the old country!

Mollinary

Agree with Mollinary, definitely worth (!) visiting. Minimal urban spread and the forests are pretty much as they were; the river is more embanked as I recall and narrower, also the viticulture is gone, not a vineyard to be seen but you can still stand on the Prussian artillery monument and get a good idea of the topography. The little museum in Woerth is cracking.