AGWA 2026 - The Battle of Weinberg...

A summary of the action from the AGWA 2026 'big game'....

(AGWA => Armchair Generals Wargaming Association).

Table setup

A view of the 30ft x 10ft game table, while troops were being setup in their start positions...

The Allied Plan

The map for the game, with allied entry points shown on the right...

I had to plan something with no idea of the French positions. I had four columns at my disposal: British/Hanoverians, British,  Hessians and Brunswick/Hessians, each column had its own cavalry brigade. In addition their were two independant cavalry brigades.  I had four commanders on my side, so each got a column to command, I looked after the independant cavalry brigades. As commander I had to place myself to best improve command action of generals, raise the moral of my troops and roll the 'all important 'move and fire initiative dice.

My 'cunning plan' of advance was a left hook, hoping to hold or push through the centre; with a blocking force on the right flank. The planned allied column movements are shown in black on the map below. Of course the French opposition had their own plan, the main lines of advance are shown in red on the map below; they too went with a left hook, centre attack and a blocking force of Duchy of Saxony troops on their right flank.

For simplicity I'll provide the highlights of the action from the allied perspective for the left flank, centre and right flank. About eight photos per section of the battle.

Allied Left Flank  - Hessians/Brunswick V Saxons

The allied troops advanced on Schlaup and Henersdorf

soon the infantry are engaged with the Saxons to their front...

The Saxon infantry suffered heavy casualties and eventually they were off the field (destroyed, routed or captured)

The second allied cavalry brigade is round the back of Henersdorf ...

The other allied cavalry brigade and the Saxons got into position....

and then charged....

After the melee, the allies had one cavalry unit left blown with the Saxons having two left but unable to reform which slowly fell back as the allied infantry moved towards them; also coming their way was more allied cavalry.

The Saxons held the allies advance and by the end of play the allied troops on the left flank were to far away to intervene in the centre.

Allied Centre - British V French

A view of the centre of the battle field as both sides closed....

The British moved on Schlauphof and tried to eject the French...

The British got a toehold in Weinberg and tried to hold their position, I positioned my commander here to provide the best command and morale points.

As the French brought up more troops, the British were slowly pushed back...

The British cavalry clashed with the French guard cavalry...

and gave them a thrashing (3 British cavalry regiments left afterwards, with 1 French regiment left, which retired)

Allied Right Flank - British/Hanoverians V French

The French advance through Gross Janowitz...

and then deployed advancing contact the British & Hanoverians to their front... who were holding a line from Weinberg ...

The British and Hanoverians infantry held on well under great pressure

but eventually the French infantry broke through the middle of the line by dint of sheer weight of numbers...

Mean while the 'juggernaut' of French cavalry started their advance ....

and one great big cavalry engagement ensued....

as time went on they slowly got the edge and gained ground.....

Who Won

The umpire adjudicated at end of play - result was a draw, so honours even. A well played game by both sides - a great two days gaming.