The Historical Battle:

In the early morning hours, the Prussian V Corps under General Steinmetz advanced through the undefended frontier town of Nachod and began to move out from the Methau valley. The Austrian Vl Corps under FML Baron Ramming tried to push the Prussians back. At approximately 0830 hours Ramming's 1st and 4th brigades advanced on the leading elements of the Prussian 9th Division. For an hour and a half the Prussian vanguard was able to hold off the two Austrian brigades and finally succeeded in throwing them back.

At 1130 two more Austrian brigades, the 2nd and 3rd, each with the support of a brigade of cavalry, attacked the Prussians from the south-east. To the south, 1st and 4th brigades rallied and joined in the attack.

The Prussian 9th Division had been doing all the fighting thus far, but at 1200 hours the 10th Division arrived and deployed into line. The Prussians were holding the line of hills and woods to the west of the valley. To the north of the Prussian line, a fierce cavalry action was being fought at Wysokow.

The Austrians were repulsed all along the line, but were able to rally under the cover of their massed batteries. At approximately 1300 hours Von Ramming ordered a final, all out assault. House-to-house fighting broke out in Wysokow as the fighting continued along the Prussian line.

The Forces:

Austria:

VI Corps: FML Baron Von Ramming

1st Brigade: Colonel Von Waldstatten

9th Infantry, 79th Infantry, 6th Jaegers

2nd Brigade: Colonel Hertwegh

41st Infantry, 56th Infantry, 25th Jaegers

3rd Brigade: MG Rosenweig

4th Infantry, 55th Infantry, 17th Jaegers

4th Brigade: Colonel Jonak

20th Infantry, 60th Infantry, 14th Jaegers

10th Uhlans 2
4# RML batteries
2 8# RML batteries
2 8# RML horse batteries
1 rocket battery

1st Reserve Cavalry Div: FML Prince Schleswig-Holstein

1st Brigade: MG Solms

4th Cuirassiers, 6th Cuirassiers, 8th Uhlans, 1 8# RML horse battery

2nd Brigade: MG Schindlocker

9th Cuirassiers, 11th Cuirassiers, 4th Uhlans 1 8# RML horse battery

Prussia:

Fifth Corps: Gen. Von Steinmetz

9th Division: MG Von Lowenfeld

17th Brigade: MG Von Ollech

37th Fusiliers, 58th Infantry

18th Brigade: MG Von Horn

7th Grenadiers, 4th Dragoons

10th Division: MG Von Kirchbach

19th Brigade: MG Von Tiedman

6th Grenadiers, 46th infantry

20th Brigade: Col. Von Wittig

47th Infantry, 52nd Infantry

Corps Troops:

5th Jaegers, 5th Artillery Battalion

On the same day that they were beaten at Nachod, the Austrians scored an unexpected victory at Trautenau. To cover this defeat the Prussian Guard moved from supporting Steinmetz to assisting the defeated Prussian Corps further north. This caused Steinmetz's Prussian Fifth Corps to become isolated at Nachod.

Benedek had the still functional and reorganised Vl Corps under Von Ramming, as well as the Vll Corps under Archduke Leopold, within one hour's march of Nachod. It was a golden opportunity that Benedek declined to take, instead following his original plan to move westwards and attack the Prussian 1st Army.

Benedek's loss of his greatest opportunity of the war prompted Von Moltke to remark:

"That a feldherr should not lightly abandon a plan once it has been completed is certainly understandable and commendable, but he is worthy of still higher praise if he seizes the opportunity of the moment for a decisive blow."

That same opportunity is now presented to you.

Scenario: Second Battle of Nachod

Bibliographical Credits

The Austro-Prussian War of 1866 by Geoffrey Wawro
Fire Along the Isar (game) by Firepower Publications

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