Hadonville-lès-Lachaussée - August 1870

The following is a summary of our most recent fictional Franco-Prussian War engagement. This game involved two players and found the first of my recently completed Prussians deployed for action.

The Prussians were gaining ground across the front and seemingly pressed the French at every turn. This included the Prussian Third Army, commanded by Crown Prince Frederich, which advanced on the French as they retired from Metz - rather than risk being bottled up. Third Army comprised no less than six corps but on the late afternoon of August 13th two Prussian Corps would be our focus. Specifically, V Armeekorps under General Kirchbach and VI Armeekorps under General von Tumpling.

Around 1pm Kirchbach and Tumpling moved forward in the area near Hadonville-lès-Lachaussée which is southwest of Mars-La-Tour. Combined the two corps fielded in excess of 42,000 bayonets and 144 cannon. Each comprised two divisions with the 9th and 10th Divisions forming V Armeekorps while the 11th and 12th Divisions formed VI Armeekorps. Of the four divisions three were concentrated in the centre and right while 12th Division was conducting a turning movement and would soon arrive on the Prussian left. 

Bazaine meanwhile was struggling to concentrate the five divisions he had at hand with which to strike at the advancing Prussians and thus gain time for his forces to reorganise. Initially available were three divisions, two from II Corps and one from IV Corps. Eventually two further divisions would arrive delivering comparable numbers to the Prussians, some 39,000 bayonets and 84 cannon as well as 30 Mitralleuse. Clearly he was short of artillery, but he placed great trust in the Chassepot rifle and of course the bayonet. Unwilling to wait Bazaine ordered the French divisions at hand forward. The rest would march to the sound of  the guns.

Below, the two divisions of V Armeekorps are visible around the town of Hadonville-lès-Lachaussée around 2pm with the French advancing towards them from the west. In the top left an additional French division is just visible.

Unwilling to go to ground French regiments deployed at 800 yards, outside effective range of the Prussian Dreyse rifle, and engaged Prussian infantry and artillery with their Chassepot rifles. Prussian infantry quickly took cover while the Prussian Krupp guns fired relentlessly.  

Below, the Prussian right centre as it faced the advancing French. Here the Prussians were well positioned with several batteries of Krupp guns deployed, as noted by the green stationary markers. 

Around 2.30pm the Prussian 12th Division, commanded by von Hoffmann, moved against the somewhat exposed French right flank. Below, four infantry regiments of the 12th Division are seen advancing while the division's artillery, some 12 guns, are deployed and providing long range fire. 

Concerned by the French focus on the Prussian left centre von Hoffmann's 12th Division continued its advance and soon threatening the French right flank. Below, the situation on the Prussian left flank around 3.30pm. On the left is the Prussian 12th Division while in the right foreground is the Prussian 10th Division under von Schmidt, which has moved forward, but again has gone to ground to reduce the impact of French fire. Opposite is the French 1st Division of IV Corps under General Cissey. 

The white markers next to the infantry regiments denote that the regiment has gone prone. Being armed with cartridge rifles the stand can still fire but their fire is less effective, however the infantry are less likely to take casualties from ranged fire. For clarity white markers against artillery denotes they have recently deployed. 

Casualties among the French were now mounting, especially on the French right where the Prussians threatening their flank and front. Crown Prince Frederich, observing from a nearby vantage point, expected the French to retire. General Cissey had other ideas. He ordered his regiments forward around 4pm, as can seen below. In the resulting combat the Prussian regiments of the 10th Division were swept back along the line, with the 37th Fusiliers routing.

In the next two hours fighting on the Prussian left was confusing with several attacks and counterattacks. Eventually the Prussians stabilised their position and pressed Cissey's Division to breaking point. But soon De Ladmraault's 2nd Division, under command of Grenier, had reinforced the French right and the opportunity for Prussian victory here slipped away. 

In the Prussian right centre however the Prussians were gaining the initiative. The Prussian 9th Division had been engaging the French II Corps' 1st Division under General Verge. Unable to withstand the Prussian bombardment eventually Verge was ordered to fall back and realign to face a growing threat from the Prussian right flank. The Prussian 11th Division, from Tumpling's VI Armekorps, was finally advancing, having been delayed by a marshy stream which caused a series of delays especially to the artillery.

Below, the Prussian right centre following the redeployment of the French Division under Verge. The Krupp guns now begin to engage distant French regiments while the 7th Grenadier Regiment and the 47th Infantry Regiment advance into a nearby wood.

Below, a view of the Prussian right flank around 4.30pm. The Prussian 11th Infantry Division extends the right centre and also presses the French left flank. The French regiments marked with red markers are those of General Verge's Division which has suffered a morale collapse. In the distance, and extreme right, another French division, De Laveaucoupet's, is attempting to outflank the Prussian right.

Below, another view of the fighting on the Prussian right flank as the Prussian 11th Division, supported by VI Armeekorps artillery reserve, engages General Verge's French division. By 5.30pm Verge's Division would suffer a second collapse and disintegrate. 

With stalemate on the Prussian left and success on the Prussian right the Prussian right centre advances - attempting to overwhelm the weakened French centre. Below, elements of the Prussian 47th Regiment, supported by the 59th Regiment attack the left flank of General Bataille's division. Casualties were heavy and the French division was soon forced to fall back exhausted.

By 7pm three of the five French divisions were either exhausted or collapsed. As much as Bazaine protested, he had no other option but to retire. Yet the Prussians were not unscathed. Casualties on the Prussian 10th Division had been particularly high, testament to the ferocity of French attacks. As a result the division would need time to reform before it could renew the offensive.

As to the scenario it was developed using the Road to Glory Scenario System included in the rules. The French had selected "Build-up, Echelon Right Card #10" while the Prussians had selected "Turning Manoeuvre Left, Card #24". Each army comprised some 4,500 points. The miniatures are all from the Heroics & Ros 6mm Franco-Prussian War range and are from my own collection. 

It was the first time I had used Prussians, having only just completed them. In the past I have used French against another local gamers Prussians. I tend to use the French cautiously maximising their superior range of the chassepot. In this game my opponent seemed to use both the longer range of the Chassepot and then followed it up with a devasting charge. I must admit I was caught off-guard by the ferocity of the French attacks, especially those against the Prussian 10th Division. Here the attacks were delivered with great determination and much in the style of "furia francese" (French Fury). While they were ultimately unsuccessful the attacks against the Prussian 10th Division almost resulted in success and breakthrough. I think this will be interesting to explore further.