The Battle of Schortenhausen May 4th 1708

One of the problems that arises in the running of any small business in almost any field is lack of time. The demands of Government bullshit override almost anything. They have the power - you don't . This is a universal constant. However add "somewhat busier than normal" and 2 shows in following weekend AND  the arrival of a 10 box shipment from the USA which had to be broken down and sorted  before Partizan and you might just see why I have been neglecting this blog a little of late. What follows was mostly written  the week before Carronade.  but only just this morning finished.


There were plenty of T.W.A.T.S.  in evidence at our rather rushed May meeting. A total of 6 members turned up for the dress rehearsal of our Durham demo game. Jim the Builder was in the chair and running a 15mm Marlburian game using modified "Warfare in the Age of Reason" rules. There were a total of 5 players plus Jim as officiating Umpire so that made half a dozen T,W,A,T,S, in the same place quite an achievement given some recent turnouts.

Early in the action the Anglo- Dutch begin the pressure on the Bavarian right. 

 This was the first outing for the 15mm Marlburians and between us Jim and I managed a total of 28 units- so 14 a side for this dry run. Jim has several other units on the go  so by the time of the demo in June the forces will be significantly larger.. As for my tiny contribution well- That would be 7 units in total plus some command bases,2  Bavarian Infantry Battalions 3 Bavarian Cavalry squadrons an a battery of 3 Bavarian guns. The single British Battalion I had joined the other side along with 2 commander bases. One British and one Dutch.
 So the terrain was set before us and with myself and floating Jeffon one side and Mechanical Shaun Liam and his brother Jake on the other, we were off to the early 18th century.

The beginning of the Franco- Bavarian response from the Anglo- Dutch viewpoint. Dumbartons regiment advance against the Bavarians 

 The Anglo- Dutch forces began by an advance in the centre of an infantry Brigade of 2 battalions which immediately came under serious artillery fire from both French and Bavarian batteries. On the Franco Bavarian right  we occupied the village with a battalion with  another ouside in support who were in turn supported by Bavarian Dragoons, Our center - composed of French and Bavarian cavalry  hung back - awaiting events on our left the French foot moved steadily into line.4 battalions up, 1 in reserve. We sat back awaiting events and continuing our bombardment of the somewhat isolated Anglo- Dutch centre. However on the Franco,Bavarian left  a series of savage attacks threatened to overrun the position forcing the Bavarian Dragoons into a somewhat precipitate charge and chasing a Bavarian infantry battalion into the village for shelter. Nevertheless  the village position did its job , soaking up enemy pressure and troops which would have been better used  in the centre.

Franco Bavarian counter attacks go in.

 In response the  French Cavalry and Bavarian Cuirassiers  moved forward. The cuirassiers charged into the infantry opposite them and a long fight ensued- bum dice on both sides- before the infantry finally broke. They had been weakened by artillery fire first or the charge would probably not have succeeded. French cavalry - led by Elector Max in person  then charged in support of his cuirassiers  pushing back and eventually breaking the Dutch cavalry opposite them. This charge gave the pressured Bavarian Dragoons to the right time to rally and- although much reduced  finally polish off thee weakened and battered allied foot facing them.

The right dice in the right order at the right time. Does not always happen this way.

 Meanwhile on the Franco- Bavarian left the French foot advanced in a slow and deliberate manner threatened as they were by significant enemy cavalry formations. When the charges came in  the situation looked dicey for a while but floating Jeff managed his usual ridiculous dice rolls at the appropriate time and despite the rout of a French battalion Jeff hung on and the Anglo- Dutch - in disarray with 5 units at least in rout and others looking distinctly shaky  conceded the day.

Soon after this the Anglo- Dutch concede. I was too busy with a celebratory pint to take any more photos.  A man must decide priorities !

Models were- as you might expect- all Blue Moon 15mm from the extensive Marlburian range. Beer was by Consett Brewery and Beef butties by Landlady Jean. Next months game will be the demo at the Durham show on June 8th. If you are  planning to go and want and order bringing then as usual email me on info@oldgloryuk.com and I will sort it out for you.

As always our thanks go to Landlady Jean for here hospitality. We will be back.