The battle of Froeschwiller, 1870.

Our once in a while trip up to Mick's fantastic wargame venue last weekend consisted of a re fight of the frontier battle of Froeschwiller-Worth which took place during the Franco Prussian war of 1870.
As will be seen from the historical account of the battle here we (or should I say Scotty who organised the thing) decided to allow the French to receive the reinforcements that were due to arrive the day before and to replace the Bavarian II Corps with a Saxon Corps which Mick had painted up.

A map of the original battle on the 6th August 1870,  defending on the left, Prussians attacking right.

Most of the 15mm troops were painted up by myself and Scotty though as stated Mick contributed a Saxon Corps. The rules were hex adapted Fire and Fury Francais gamed on Micks fantastic hex table.
Neal and Mick took the obnoxious German states while yours truly and a first timer to our group Chris had the suave and debonair French (you can begin to see dear reader how fair and unbiased this report will be!). Scotty umpired.

The field of battle, French deployed defending the full length of the ridge line and the Prussians on the other side of the stream impassible to their artillery which had to shoot in at long range. (Ignore Neal giggling inanely at the strong French position.)

 The Saxon Corps (commanded by Mick) can be seen at the top end of the table advancing on the French redoubts on their left.

 Prussian columns awaiting Neal's order to advance.

Main Saxon force.

With their Jagers advancing ahead through the woods towards the French left.

Mick (left) and Neal (right) pushing the Prussians over the stream towards the French position.

Chris, commanding the large French 1st Corps in the front line pushes a rgt of Tiraillures forward to help drive off the Saxon Jagers, but the main Saxon force isn't far behind and their artillery are causing substantial casualties even in the French redoubts.

A French cavalry division charges into the Saxon skirmishers in support of the Tiraillier rgt, destroys one Jager battalion but suffers greatly in return.

Meanwhile the Prussian centre continues it's advance encouraged on it's way by some abusive hand gesture towards the French commanders by Neal!

Scotty as umpire presumabally taking offence at the above hand gesture which I pointed out was made in his direction, it never pays to call the umpire a w****r. (he didn't really but it looked too good a photographic opportunity to pass up!)

With the pressure increasing on the French centre and left the right hand French Corps decides to hastly re-deploy to the north.

Next post, the pressure mounts!
Dave.