Austrian center positions, looking toward Prussian right.
Background
At the opening of the Prussian campaign in Silesia at the beginning of July, the Austrian General Brentano could count only on part of his corps. Indeed, 2 battalions of Loudon grenadiers, 1 grenzers battalion and Nádasdy Hussars had been sent to Burkersdorf (present-day Burkatów).
On July 3 at 11:00 PM, Brentano took position near Adelsbach (present-day Struga). His infantry deployed on a hill on the east side of a stream. Bethlen Infantry occupied the Sachsenberg, a battalion of Arberg Infantry took place behind Bethlen in the ravine One battalion of Warasdiner-Sankt.Georger Grenzers was thrown on the Engelsberg to the west Adelsbach while its second battalion joined it later during the combat. Two additional grenzer battalions were deployed to the right of the Sachsenberg. The rest of the grenzer light troops, along with 2 Jäger companies, occupied the marshes and light forest bordering the stream. Brentano placed Kálnoky Hussars on the left wing while Saint-Ignon Dragoonsand Hessen-Darmstadt Dragoons were deployed in two lines on the right wing. Some cavalry was also sent to Reichenau (present-day Bogaczowice).
In the night of July 5 to 6, Neuwied’s corps marched towards Hohenfriedeberg (present-day Dobromierz). When he saw that the position had been abandoned, Neuwied continued his advance towards Reichenau. Meanwhile, at midnight, Frederick had marched from the camp of Bunzelwitz (present-day Bolesławice) with Tchernichev’s Russian corps.
On July 6 at about 4:30 AM, the vanguard of the Prussian corps of Neuwied appeared near Reichenau where it came to contact with Brentano’s first outposts. The Prussians defeated the Austrian vanguard and drove them back, taking 33 prisoners of war among the hussars and grenzers.
When Frederick heard a cannonade in the general direction of Neuwied’s corps, he hastened to join him with his cavalry. On his arrival, he ordered to dislodge the Austrians from the heights between Reichenau and Adelsbach.
With Austrian troops occupying the Engelsberg and Sachsenberg hills, it was almost impossible for the Prussians to approach Brentano’s camp unnoticed. When his right wing column arrived on the field, Lieutenant-general Neuwied deployed it directly opposite the Austrian lines, between Hohenfriedeberg and Baumgarten.
http://www.kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=1762-07-06_-_Combat_of_Adelsbach
The Game
The battlefield was set up to somewhat match the historical terrain (we had to work with the hills and river terrain we had available to us). The forces were as listed in Kronstadt and placed as marked on the article’s map. The Austrians were placed on defense with supporting cavalry. The forward brigade was a bit spread out, but we made a scenario allowance. The Prussians (and Russians) were deployed in their general historical positions, but we allowed the Prussian commander to make slight adjustments (could shift up to 12″ within set up area). THe Prussians received a +2 command modifier for initiative to reflect their historical aggressiveness at the battle.
Austrian center positions, looking toward Prussian right.
Austrian Positions overlooking Prussians left flank.
Prussian Artillery stay in position and bombard Austrian forward positions.
Prussian mass and move quickly against Austrian right flank!
Prussian and Russian Cavalry and Freikorps stare down Austrian Grenzers to their front and right flank.
Austrian forces slowly but surely begin re-positioning to reinforce their right flank.
Austrians through everything they have to slow the Prussian main assault, with both sides giving as good as they receive.
Austrian flank guards stubbornly maintain their positions outside the main battle….
The Prussian superior firepower finally turns the tide against the Austrians, sweeping the Austrian infantry from the field.
The Austrian cavalry finally come forward to assist in the defense.
The Austrians try a desperate cavalry charge, but it is repulsed and the Austrians quit the field. The battle ends with an a-historic Prussian victory!
– Manteuffel.