The Prussian army fights and wins a hard-pressed battle again. Recently the Prussian army marched north to fight the rear guard of the hard-pressed French after another bloody battle. The victorious Prussians were lead by the Crown Prince of Decatur who defeated the French army of Bill Widrick and Hal Thinglum. The Prussian army had two army corps with ample artillery support. As usual, our cavalry arm was off chasing the French army around the countryside. Our orders were to defeat the French and advance and hold territory, The Prussian army had to advance on three fronts. We were told that we could use all of our troops or we could hold some back in reserve. In the initial moves, we advanced upon two fronts with one army corps. In the center, we advanced with five infantry regiments and two artillery batteries. When we had to cross the stream, our advance became very disorganized. At one time the five regiments was moving at different rates due to the terrain effects. In this section of the battle, we never did mount a major attack, due to the inability of massing our units. On our left flank, we advanced towards some hasty defensive works. We advanced with nine infantry regiments and four artillery batteries. The artillery was placed on both flanks to offer better support of our attack. We advanced on a broad front due to the terrain that the French was behind. We had four regiments of line infantry attack a small village. The French was in the town and behind stone walls. After several hard fought melees, the French began their general retreat from this area. Once they did this, the remaining French units were in open terrain and allowed themselves to be shot at by the artillery batteries. The other five infantry was advancing though some plowed fields and woods. After coming out of the woods and reorganizing their lines, they went into contact with the French. Again, the French was driven from their positions. Due to the success, the Prussian committed another five infantry regiments and two artillery batteries to this flank. The infantry units advanced toward the hill were the French had two artillery batteries and infantry support in hasty defensive positions. At this tirne, the God of war smiled on the Prussians. The French fired shot and shell at the advancing Prussians, but their cannon fire yielded no causalities, The Prussian batteries unlimbered on the road, in this position, we were able to offer support on the hill positions and to fire down the road The Prussians now had five regiments advancing on the flank of the French infantry and artillery. We had another five regiments advancing on their front. Once these units was clear of the road the Prussian artillery batteries made short work of a French infantry regiment that was in a deep column. Due to server causalities, this unit began to rout off the board. Joining this unit was another two regiments from some previous melees. About this time, the Prussian infantry hit the French infantry and artillery. The French got nothing but cold dice now. Soon the French had lost an artillery battery and three French infantry units was beginning to rout. These units effected other French units and a general rout of this area was in effect. In the center, things was not going as planned. Due to the fact that the Prussians was not able to get the act together and advance together; we used the center as a holding action. The five regiments of line infantry could only advance a small way towards the French line. In this section, the French used very good rifle and artillery fire to hold the Prussians in check. Three of the Prussians regiments soon began a somber retreat towards the rear after very heavy causalities. The other twoline infantry stayed in place to protect the artillery batteries. One of the batteries was firing at the French infantry behind stone walls and the other battery had changed it's facing and began to fire at the advancing French infantry advancing towards it's right flank. On the next turn, the Prussian had the corps artillery committed to the action. The three horses and one-foot batteries began to advance down the road on the right flank. In this position these batteries could then move and be in a position of firing on several French regiments in deep column. With the arriving Prussian artillery batteries, the French now had the proper timing of asking for a truce. The French admitted that they lacked the strength to hold the Prussians back for very long. The Prussians was ready to commit the last of their reserves to the right flank. By doing this, the French army was going to be pressed from the left and right flanks. At this time, the French army asked for surrender terms. In concluding this after action report, I would tell people that if they ever have a chance to play in a game of Hal's to do so. His games are balanced and above all fun to play in. 1870 Franco-Prussian Wargame Introduction They Died for Glory [or so they thought] The Prussians Speak Final Comments: The Last Word Back to MWAN #115 Table of Contents Back to MWAN List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 2002 Hal Thinglum This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com