During the 1994 battlefield tour of Saxony and Bohemia, under the guidance of Dr. Duffy, we visited the scene of the battle of Torgau in 1760. As we approached Torgau, I remembered some sketchy details of a somewhat smaller, but rather more decisive action ealier in the Seven Years War. That first battle of Torgau appears to offer interest as a wargame scenario.

Larger version of map at right: warning: big file--slow download.

Following the disaster of Hochkirch on October 14, 1758, Frederick reinforced his army with most of the Prussian defenders of Saxony. He then out-manouevered the Austrian general Daun to march to the relief of Silesia. While Frederick was thus away, Daun returned to Saxony and laid seige to Dresden. Concurrently, the Army of the Empire (Reichsarmee) marched to beseige the town of Leipzig. A detachment of the Reichsarmee, under the enterprising command of Lieutenant-General Hadick, was directed to seize the Prussian-held city of Torgau, thereby severing the main artery of the Prussian communications along the Elhe and securing the principal bridge across that river.

Success in this venture, so late in the campaign season, would effectively have cut off Leipzig from any hope of relief and potentially have secured winter quarters in Saxony for the Reichsarmee and for the Austrians of Field Marshall Daun. It would have left them poised for a thrust into Brandenburg or against Magdeburg early in the following year.

The first battle of Torgau offers potential gaming involving a defensive action by the Prussians and involving a relatively small number of forces.

Hadik has the following forces at his immediate disposal:

GENERAL HADIK'S CORP

Major General Vihazy

Baranyay Hussars (Austrian): 5 squadrons
Palatinal Hussars (Empire): 5 squadrons
Hadik Hussars (Austrian): 5 squadrons

Major General Neuhof

Gjulay (Hungarian): 2 bttns and 9 grenadier companies
Palatine Guard (Empire): 1 battalion and 1 grenadier company

Major General Essern

Nassau (Empire): 1 bttn. and 1 grenadier company
Essern (Empire): 2 bttns. and 2 grenadier companies
Salzburg (Empire): 2 battalions

Major General Kleefeld

Ottochaner: 13 companies of Croats
Oguliner: 6 companies of Croats
Szuliner: 9 companies of Croats

Major General Reid (detached, not present on the 13th)

Gradiscaner: 4 companies of Croats
Licaner: 4 companies of Croats

In addition, Hadik has a respectable train of artillery and howitzers, approximately 10 pieces of heavy artillery with which to reduce the works of Torgau. Each of the eight regular battalions will be equipped with its two 3-pounder regimental cannon. In all, a respectable force of eight battalions of infantry; supported by 15 squadrons of hussars and a sizable body of Croat light infantry. The Croats of Reid appear to have been detached on "other duties" at Meissen, while those of Kleefeld had also just returned from doing Croat-like things. Of course, three quarters of the regular infantry battalions are troops of the Reichsarmee, but there is the line Hungarian regiment of Gjulay for stiffening.

The Prussian Garrison in Torgau

Colonel Grolmann is in Torgau with the two battalions of Prussian Garrison Regiment Nnmber 3. The town itself contains numerous pieces of ordnance mounted on the walls, but only two 12-pounders on field carriages. Twelve hundred men, even with a large complement of impressed Saxons and deserters, is a sufficient force to hold Torgau i'rom the depredations of a few hussars, but is a rather weak garrison to hold the 4,000 pace perimeter (weakly fortified) against any serious attack.

However, help is at hand. Dohna and Wedell are on the march with 23 battalions of infantry and 32 squadrons of cavalry, mostly veterans of Zorndorf (if that is any sort of recommendation). Major von Lossow has been detached from this force with a few squadrons of Prussian hussars to reconnoitre the crossing of the Elbe and to provide support for Grolmann. This force is in contact with the Austrian hussar patrols. Wedel is in full march with the Advance Guard and could be at Torgau at any moment.

Opening Wargame Situation

At first light on the morning of the 13th, the corps of Hadik is in full march towards Torgau. The surrounding terrain is flat, but to the west of the main road of the Austrian advance from Eilenburg, lies the Great Pond. This is an impassible terrain object and must be circumvented. From the Great Pond to the banks of the Elbe River is a distance of 1,500 paces, patched with other lesser ponds. On this ground, a mile to the south of Torgau, is where Hadik will form his attack. and he will be there within the hour. Wedel and his Prussians might arrive at any time on the East Bank of the Elbe, but how soon and in what strength?

Well, that is a matter for the dice to decide. What should Grolmann do? Sally out and engage Hadik at a disadvantage of four-to-one odds; stand on the defensive behind the walls of Torgau and await the arrival of Wedel? And what should Hadik do? Hurl his troops against the weak defensive works; set up a formal seige; or adopt a defensive position?

Wargame Scenario: General Rules

In the wargame situation, the first initiative is with the Prussian Colonel Grolmann, who should be allowed a better idea of when or of the Prussian reserves will arrive. This strategic knowledge can be obtained by his drawing a card from an ordinary deck of cards that will tell him when the earliest time will be for Wedel's arrival with the Prussian Advance Guard. From that moment on, they must depend on a dice throw to actually reach the Torgau bridgehead on the opposite bank of the Elbe. That card can then be sealed by Colonel Grolman in an envelope. which he will then hand to Hadik when he is due to throw dice for the arrival of the reserves.

I suggest that an ace means that a quarter of the Prussians actually arrived during the night of the 12th and the rest will arrive at noon on the 13th. At the other end of the scale, a deuce mcans that no reinforcements will arrive until the evening of the 15th. A middle card, say a seven, would allow a reinforcement of five squadrons of hussars on the evening of the 14th. Grolmann draws the strategy card, seals it in the envelope, and decides on what course of action he intends to take. Hadik can then respond.

Enjoy the game, or should I say games, for a large varicty of games are possible, dependent on the strategy cards.

Historical Outcome: First Battle of Torgau

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