Frederick at Kosodorf - 1756

Frederick looked out across the field at the enemy arrayed before him on this still October morning. Field Marshal Browne it seemed had determined to offer battle despite his recent defeat at Lobositz. Frederick calmed his horse as he considered the enemy before him. The Austrian infantry stretched from in and around the town of Kosodorf east, perhaps 19,000 bayonets in all, well supported by numerous cannon of various calibers. On the Austrian right and centre, formed as a reserve behind the infantry, were the Austrian cavalry, likely numbering 6,000.

Above, the armies deployed with the Austrians on the left. The town of Kosodorf is visible in the top left. 

With the Austrian horse massed on the enemy right an advance against this position seemed unwise. Instead Frederick determined an advance against the Austrian left. As such he reinforced his own right, planning to fight more defensively with his left and centre. 

His four infantry divisions were deployed as follows. On his left was Bevern’s division commanded today by Prinz Moritz. The divisions own left anchored on the town of Bremhausen. Extending the division was that of Manstein’s. This division formed the Prussian centre. Further to the right was Prinz Ferdinand’s Division and immediately behind it, Treskow’s converged grenadiers. Of the cavalry Penavaire’s division was on the extreme right and Schonaich’s and Ziethen’s in reserve in the centre. In all 17,000 infantry and 6,000 cavalry. 

As planned around 10am Prinz Ferdinand’s Division, supported by Treskow’s Grenadiers moved forward. Frederick’s plan was simple. He would press the enemy left which was separated by the town of Kosodorf from the centre. Here a massed attack by the Prussian infantry, supported by cavalry would be difficult for Browne to counter. Alternatively, if the Austrians moved to counter the Prussian advance, Treskow’s grenadiers would be well positioned to counter.

Below, a view of the Prussian centre and right. Kosodorf is visible in the top left. Ferdinand’s Division has already secured the high ground near Kosodorf.

Rather than fight defensively Browne determined to attack Ferdinand’s division, believing it to be dangerously over extended. Four Austrian regiments, three of which were from d’Arberg’s Division, advanced supported by 24 field guns and numerous lighter pieces attached to the various regiments. 

Above & below, the Austrians attack Ferdinand’s Division on the high ground. 

The attack was well conceived and success was all but guaranteed. However, Ferdinand’s three regiments displayed great tenacity throwing back all the Austrian regiments. The Prussian Regiment 27 in particular showed great resolve engaging the white clad attackers with a series of particularly bloody musket volleys.

Around 11am, and before the Austrians could recover, two of Ferdinand’s Regiments surged forward supported by two converged grenadier regiments and a brigade of hussars. Austrian cannon and disordered or isolated Austrian infantry were all assailed. By 11.30am d’Arberg’s Division had collapsed.

Browne, realising the threat to his left, had earlier moved one of his two cavalry divisions to his extreme left. O’Donnel’s Division mustered around 3,000 men, of which 2,000 cuirassiers with the remainder dragoons. Soon after 11.30am one cuirassier brigade surged forward intent to decimate the Prussian hussars and another an exposed Prussian Infantry Regiment. While the Prussian infantry were forced back the Austrian cuirassiers were themselves thrown back by the hussars.

The last of O’Donnel’s cavalry were then overcome by Prussian dragoons and hussars, which can be seen below. O’Donnel’s Divsion was now exhausted.

Meanwhile the forces in the centre were by now well engaged. Below, a view from the Prussian left towards the centre as the Austrians advance early in the battle.

Concerned by events on the left Browne had ordered General Forgach to engage the enemy centre with his own infantry division. Progressively elements of Sprecher’s Division, deployed on the Austrian right would also be drawn into the fighting. The engagement here started with various units exchanging musket and cannon fire.

Above and below, the battle in the centre gains momentum. Note that not all the Austrian field guns are yet deployed.

However, with the situation on the left progressively worsening Browne ordered his generals to press the Prussians with even greater determination. A breakthrough in the centre was now critical. Several Austrian regiments surged forward. While gaining some success gaps in the Austrian lines were also developing. Browne, now desperate, ordered forward the cavalry of Prinz Hohenzollern Division. 

Yet despite these reinforcements all Austrian attacks were thrown back. Another attack was attempted gaining limited success but the Prussian cavalry hastily counter attacked, stabilising the line. 

Here the confusing action in the centre viewed from the Prussian lines above, and Austrian lines below.

Now with Forgach’s Infantry Division exhausted Browne reluctantly accepted defeat after five hours of fighting. Under the protection of his remaining cavalry the white coated legions of Maria Theresa retired from the field. Frederick it seemed had won a victory.

The engagement was of course fictional utilising two relatively small armies of around 2,000 points each. The game was fought to a conclusion in just two hours of play on a table that measured just 3’ x 2’. 

The miniatures are all from my collection and are from the Heroics & Ros ranges. The engagement was notable for being the first outing for my recently completed Prussians. My opponent Richard commanded the Austrians and while delivering some well conceived attacks was hamstrung by poor combat dice. Prussian Infantry Regiment 27 for example rolled four sixes in an early combat which the Austrians simply could not match. Eventually, of the five Austrian divisions two had collapsed and one additional division was exhausted. Despite this it was a very enjoyable game for both of us.