Background
After escaping from the encircled fortress of Colberg (actual Kołobrzeg) at the beginning of November 1761, prince Eugen von Württemberg made a junction at Greiffenberg (actual Gryfice) with a corps under lieutenant-general Platen on November 16. At the end of November, the prince of Württemberg resolved to make a last attempt to force the Russians to lift the siege of Colberg.
On December 7, the prince of Württemberg marched towards Treptow (actual Trzebiatów). On December 9, he arrived near the town, finding a small Russian cavalry force (2 dragoon rgts, 2 hussar rgts and some cossacks) occupying it. He placed Grenadier Battalion 13/26 Schwerin, Kalckstein Volunteers and some artillery on a nearby hill. Then, he deployed the rest of his infantry in line. The Russian force evacuated the town where Württemberg established his headquarters, assigning Werner Hussars and 8 bns as garrison. On December 10 at 10:00 PM, a Prussian convoy of 1,000 wagons with supplies, medicines, provisions and ammunition arrived at Treptow, under escort of major’s Rohr’s detachment. On December 11, Württemberg marched from Treptow in 2 columns, escorting the convoy. It was cold and snowing.
The first Prussian column marched by Glansee (actual Gołańcz Pomorską) and Drenow (actual Drzonowo), the second by Zamow (actual Samowo) and Zarben (actual Sarbia).
When the first column tried to cross the Kreyerbach near Neumuhl (actual Głąb), it was stopped by the Russian corps of Berg (most probably 1,000 grenadiers, 4,000 cavalry and 6 guns) entrenched in the field fortifications previously built at this location by the Prussians in October. Instead of storming the Berg’s positions, prince Eugen decided to wait for his second column to turn them. Indeed, prince Eugen realised that a direct assault on these entrenched positions would be too costly and could jeopardize his plans for the relief of Colberg. When the second Prussian column appeared at Drenow, Berg abandoned his positions and retired to Nehmer (actual Niemierze) and Spie (actual Błotnica) behind the Spiebach (actual Błotnica river). Berg also sent couriers to Rumyantsev to request assistance. Prince Eugen left Grenadier Battalion 17/22 Rothenburg and Kalckstein Volunteers at Neumuhl to protect his line of retreat.
When the Prussians retreated, general Berg pursued them at the head of 4,000 cavalrymen.
During this combat, the Prussians lost 2 officers, 6 NCOs and 50 men killed; and 17 officers and 542 men wounded. Most of them died from cold weather or exhaustion. Continuing the combat was pointless since there was no way to relieve Colberg.
http://www.kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=1761-12-12_-_Combat_of_Spie
The Game
Set Up: The set up of forces was based on the general location of the troops before the Prussian attack on the Russian redout to the front of the town of Spie. Berg’s division was set up behind the Spie river and in the redoubt. The main Russian army under Rumyantsev was set up in march on the left side of the table. The Prussians under Wurttembug were set up in two divisions in front of the town of Spie and facing the Russian lines.
Initial Moves: The Prussian maneuvered their columns to take the forward redoubt in the flank, while protecting their flanks. Rumyantsev’s column moved along the front to get into positions behind Berg’s column. Could Berg hold long enough? In order to spread the Prussians out, the Russian cavalry started to move to the flanks.
Across the Spie: The Prussian were able to clear the forward redoubt of Russians with nominal losses, sweeping through the town of Spie in the process. Rumyantsev’s units continued to move to cover Berg’s rear, while Berg’s cavalry began moving across the Spie to threaten the Prussians flanks.
Cavalry Push Forward: The Russian cavalry pushed forward on both flanks, slowing pushing back the Prussian cavalry, sweeping half the Prussian artillery in the process. These actions required the Prussian to divert important units from the main attack, putting the mian attack at risk.
End Game: The Prussian cross the Spie and begin grinding down Berg’s units (destroying the forward infantry brigade, the cossacks and hussar brigade in the process). However, Rumyantsev’s units arrive in time to solidify a line behind Berg. The Prussian attacking infantry grinds through the Russian infantry and relentlessly moves forward. However, there are now too many Russians and the Prussian casualties start to mount, without all their infantry forward, they are attrited and must give up the attack. A historical Russian victory!
– Manteuffel
Fantastic battle. I´d like to know the specific units of the Russian army you used for this battle and if those units wore the dark green coat.
Thank you
It has been some time, so I do not recall all the details. However, we pieced the OB from campaign forces on kronostaf.com. These are shown on http://www.kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=1761_-_Russian_campaign_in_Pomerania_%E2%80%93_Rumyantsev_OOB. This tends to be our go to starting point for all the SYW battles. As far as the uniforms, we only saw regular units listed in the army OB, so no reason to think the standard uniforms were not being worn. Some of the figures used were just in under cloths, so they would look red. That is more a limitation of our figure collection!