Those players who prefer skirmish gaming can simulate any of the numerous engagements to control an outpost area or between cavalry patrols. In particular, the raid by the two Danish Royal Guard companies with a supporting warship offers an interesting possibility.

As far as large battles are concerned, there were not many. The methodical Prussians moved slowly and ensured success with overwelming numbers. Those battles which I feel would be challenging to both sides are Kongshoj, Sankelmark, Vejle, Ragebol, Dybbol and Als. Unfortunately I do not have detailed orders of battle for most of these engagements. You can refer to the Beginning of the War OB as a reference as to which commands and their units were involved in a battle. If I obtained additional data, I will post them either as a follow up scenario in the magazine or more likely I will post the information on my website.

Also the naval encounters at Rugen and Helgoland both have balanced forces and would be great to recreate at a convention. The small forces will provide for a quick event even when using complicated rules.

Kongshoj is a classic meeting engagement and it provides a colorful Austro- Danish battle.

Sankelmark was a greatly contested delaying action by the outnumbered Danish against the Austrians. Danes: 7th Brigade (1st and 11th Rgts)

Vejle is the basic Austrian assault on Danish defensive positions. The Austrians launched a frontal assault supported by a smaller force conducting a flanking maneuver. Danes: 4th Division reinforced.

Ragebol is often overshadowed by the subsequent battle at Dybbol. The Prussian victory here allowed for artillery bombardments to begin on the Dybbol entrenchments. It consists of an initial Danish regimental attack followed by both sides feeding reserves until it developed into the large field battle that the Prussians had desired. The weakened Danes could not stem the Prussian counter-attack and lost valuable ground in front of the Dybbol position.

Dybbol consisted of a lengthy siege bombardment followed by an assault with forces which outnumbered the defender by 3:1 ratio. The best part of this battle to simulate is the actual assault. It is a good convention scenario with each player controlling a Prussian assault column or a Danish redoubt sector. Each Prussian column consisted of two independent attack formations of about 2 battalions each plus a company of sappers. A total of twelve battalions and 5 - 6 sapper companies. The objectives of the Prussian southern column were the Redoubt I and II which were defended by the 22nd Danish Regiment. Their secondary misson was to move northeast in support of the center column. The objectives of the Prussian center column were Redoubt III which was defended by the 22nd Danish Regiment and Redoubt IV which was defended by the 2nd Regiment. They would then move east to engage the Danish Reserve and block and escape routes. The objectives of the Prussian northern column were the Redoubt V and VI which were defended by the 2nd Danish Regiment. It would then move north to attack the redoubts VII-X. Redoubts VII and VIII were defended by the 17th Regiment. Redoubts IX and X were defended by the 16th Regiment.

Als is the last significant battle of the war. It was an amphibious assault with forces that started out close to balanced and at the height the Prussians still only had a 2:1 advantage. It provides for a great "What If" option by providing the Danes with an early alert. As a result the Danes have a counter-attack choice prior to the Prussians completing the landing of their forces. Danes: 12,000 men (3rd rgt,) + 5 field batteries. Prussians: 2 Divisions = 24,000 men.

More 19th Century Danish Wars

Introduction
Chronology of the Danish-German War of 1864
Uniforms of the Danish-German War of 1864: Danish
Uniforms of the Danish-German War of 1864: Austrian
Uniforms of the Danish-German War of 1864: Prussian
Order of Battle: Danish-German War of 1864
Wargaming the Danish-German War of 1864
Background Comments on Danish-German War of 1864