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"Austrian Succession - the middle child?" Topic


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Comments or corrections?

FilsduPoitou07 Jul 2022 4:18 p.m. PST

I was mulling about in researching 18th century wars and I noticed that when it comes to online wargaming forums and miniature manufacturers, the War of Austrian Succession really seems to get the short straw compared to WSS and SYW. Outside of the Jacobite Rebellion, of course.

Are WAS soldiers pretty much identical to SYW miniatures?

I know the WAS didn't have the giants like Marlborough and Vendome (WSS), the military innovations like mass use of skirmishers (SYW), but you still had some highlights.

The rise of Frederick the Great of Prussia. Dettingen, the last time a British monarch took the field. Fontenoy, where the Garde Francais and Grenadier Guards try goading eachother to fire their volley first.

So my question is: is the War of Austrian Succession really the redhead stepchild of 18th century conflicts? Or am I imagining things and there's a real interest in the conflict?

Personal logo enfant perdus Supporting Member of TMP07 Jul 2022 4:50 p.m. PST

I would say it depends which aspect of the WAS you're talking about. The Austro-Prussian part of the struggle gets nearly was much play as the SYW. The Franco-Pragmatic battles are definitely overlooked in comparison to Minden, etc. King George's War gets nothing approaching the love that the FIW gets, and the campaigns in Italy? Bupkis.

There are, however, a number of major 18C conflicts that get far, far less attention. The big Russo-Turkish War (1735-39) which the Hapsburgs also jumped into in 1737, and the last Austro-Turkish War (1788-91) were significant in both the resources committed and the long lasting effects. The War of the Polish Succession is another that was big enough at the time, but is largely forgotten; I think it's a ripe one for what-ifs. Of course, most of the Wars of the French Revolution are in the 18C and they get miserable coverage, despite being massive and, well, revolutionary.

Legionarius07 Jul 2022 5:06 p.m. PST

As to figures, any figures with tricorns would do unless you happen to be a specialist in this particular period. Otherwise, you would be accumulating hundreds of similar figures for each little eruption of violence among the crowned heads of the "Age of Enlightenment." Having said that, 7 Yrs War figures are probably a better match that WSS for the WAS.

Personal logo Der Alte Fritz Sponsoring Member of TMP07 Jul 2022 8:19 p.m. PST

I'm on to you GF. I think I know who you are.

BillyNM07 Jul 2022 9:41 p.m. PST

I suspect that one of the ‘giants' of the WAS, Maurice de Saxe, was responsible for this as he subjected Britain and her allies to a series of defeats which I suspect is the reason most Anglocentric history books like to brush over the western theatre of the war.

mildbill09 Jul 2022 4:43 a.m. PST

To me a more interesting war than the 7yw. Hard to find info on the battles though.

John Clements09 Jul 2022 1:18 p.m. PST

My feeling is that interest in the period is growing and there is ever more information being published. Reed Browning's book is the best overall history and Helion have publsihed some good stuff and are bringing out more shortly. Some military biographies cover the period as their subjects might have fought in both the WAS and the SYW.
Flags of War and Crann Tara both have expanding ranges for WAS and I expect more will emerge if the demand expands. It's not just the small differences in kit but also there were countries involved in WAS which were not in SYW, or not significantly in big battles, which gives a different flavour.
After a lifetime flirting with other periods, I'm now focussing on this, thankful that interest is growing at last and resources are becoming available.

Mollinary10 Jul 2022 1:31 a.m. PST

Mildbill. There is a fantastic book, in German, by Dorn and Engelmann. It is called Die Schlachten Friedrichs des Grossen. It covers the battles of Frederick's Wars, so for WAS it has Mollwitz, Chotusitz, Hohenfriedberg, Soor and Kesselsdorf. As well as a full description of each battle, it has complete OOBs, and excellent maps, many taken from the German Staff History of the Wars. Even if you don't read German it is worth it's price for a wargamer for it maps and OOBs. Thoroughly recommended! I have refought both Chotusitz and Kesselsdorf using the info it contains.

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