GAME REPORT: BATTLE OF HATVAN, 2 APRIL 1849, HUNGARIAN REVOLT

Mark D considering the situation on the Hungarian left flank.

I am happy to report, dear readers, a double achievement.  First, that I have broken the year-plus drought of hosting games at my place (it's been too long!). Second, that I have achieved the long anticipated debut of my Hungarian Revolt figures in a game with an updated version of my Volley and Bayonet post-Napoleonic battalion scale variant (I'll post links to the rules and references at the end of this post).  Although this is not yet my Chocolate Box Wars (CBW) system, the concepts I'm proofing in the VnB variant will inform that product, so this is also progress on that front as well.  In this post, you may clix pix for BIG PIX, as usual.  You can also find a game report on Mark D's blog. 

Austrians Destroying the Bridge on the Zagyva river before retreating.

Armee Bulletin XXXIII, von Krieg Österreich gegen Ungarn1849. Battle of Hatvan. 02.04.1849

Public Domain.  

This game was inspired by the Battle of Hatvan, 2 April 1849, between the Austrian III Corps and the Hungarian VII Corps.  I say "inspired" because, as I've related before, I take a historic battle and create a game out of it.  This involves some license to fit the scenario to the figures and resources available, to conform it to the rules, and to produce something playable in the context of the day.   The Battle of Hatvan provided an excellent model for what I was after: it was a a meeting engagement between a Hungarian and an Austrian Corps, just the thing to have both sides active vs having one sitting and one moving.  You can read about the actual battle at the link above.  I followed the historical flow conceptually, with the Austrians coming on strong early and a smaller initial Hungarian force holding on while waiting for help to arrive...

 THE SITUATION

In the game, each side was roughly equal in strength. The Austrians had 3 infantry divisions plus a cavalry division.  The Hungarians had 3 infantry divisions with cavalry integrated into the brigades.  The Austrians began with two divisions (of their choice) deployed on the table, with the third coming on in turn 2.  They could have broken up the cavalry division and had it on the table with the divisions at start or have it as a complete command arriving on turn 2: they chose the latter. The Hungarians started with their 1st division in an advanced position perilously close to the Austrians.  Furthermore, it had to be spread out so that it had elements sited on each of the features in its starting position.  This was to represent the moment when the Hungarian lead division, which had been advancing across a broad front to develop the situation, bumped into the Austrians coming in force from Hatvan! The Hungarian 2nd division would enter on turn 2 from Hort.  The Hungarian 3rd division was coming on a flank march, but the Hungarians had no idea when it would arrive.  So, they would have to hang on until then.  The victory conditions were simple and intended to prompt a game with both sides "mixing it up" in order to proof the latest version of the rules and get players familiar with the system.  A side would win if, at the conclusion the opposing side's turn, it had either Hatvan (for the Hungarians) or Hort (for the Austrians) within  range of either artillery or infantry.  Simple.  Given that each corps had a river at its back, these conditions reflected the imperative of maintaining secure access to its crossing point  (represented on the table by the Hatvan and Hort templates). 

 THE STARTING SET UP

 Above: The Hungarian 1st division faces the lead Austrian 3rd and 1st divisions...

...close up the the initial forces, with the Hungarian 1st division (left) looking thin in comparison.

THE "MIDDLE GAME"

 Above: The Austrians attack. The Austrian 1st division advances to the left while the 3rd division pushes to the right.  The Austrian 2nd division arrives and pushes up the center while the Cavalry division rides hard for the Hungarian right flank. The Hungarian 2nd division arrived on turn 2 and deployed in depth...

...the Austrian 2nd division launches its attack, with a half-battalion of Kaiserjagers in the lead accompanied by a half battalion of grenzers (seen in the background).

Above: the Hungarian 1st division takes up reverse slope supported by artillery, posting the dauntless German Legion forward to blunt the Austrian onslaught. In the distance, a lone squadron of Hungarian hussars opposes an oncoming Austrian brigade of the 3rd divison...

...farther down the line, the 2nd brigade of the Austrian 1st Division closes with the isolated right brigade of the Hungarian 1st division...

 ...and the Austrian Cavalry division rides behind the action towards the open Hungarian right. 

THE AUSTRIANS PRESS THE HUNGARIANS

Above: It's hard to make out the markings (in green), but they show that during the fighting two of the three brigades of the Hungarian 2nd division were committed to extend the Hungarian line and shore up the defense, leaving only two battalions on the final position. Just visible at the far right, the leading unit of the Hungarian 3rd division can be seen entering. Will it be soon enough?...

 ...the "Gray Attila" battalion of the Hungarian 2nd division moves down to support the hard pressed 1st division. (Above right), the 3rd brigade (green strength markers) of the 2nd Hungarian division deployed on the left end of the 1st division line...

...the view from behind the Freiwilliger Jager half battalion of the Hungarian 3rd brigade, the far left unit of the Hungarian position...

THE CRISIS OF THE BATTLE

Above: The Austrian 1st division has spent itself against the right of the Hungarian line, but the Hungarians line here has been battered and reduced.  The Austrians are on the verge of a breakthrough in the center, even as a threat starts growing on their flank (very much like the late stages of Waterloo)...

...the remaining two brigades of Hungarian 1st division heavily engaged and pinned down on the left end of the Hungarian line...

...view of the Austrian breakthrough from the "red cap" Hungarian heavy artillery battery.  Will it become another legendary "battery of death"by making a last stand here?

 THE RACE IS ON

Above: In a stop gap move, the Hungarians throw whatever is available in front of the Austrian 2nd division. Meanwhile, the Hungarian 3rd division is present in strength and starting a threatening flank march around the Austrian left. The race is on! Sensing that time is running out, the Austrians begin to pull units back while making one last "all or nothing" push...

...the Austrian cavalry division is launched in a classic "death ride" around the Hungarian right...

 ...the dashing cavalry half-battery and dragoons lead the charge.  This would represent the high water mark of the Austrian advance (and high drama point of the game, as well!). Ironically, the Hungarian hussar (seen in in the background to the right) would lose its melee and fall back to an ideal position to deal with the the Austrian cavalry battery.   Enough other units were able to be pulled back and on the way to forestall the threat to Hort.  With the "death ride" thwarted and the Hungarian 3rd division closing in on Hatvan, the Austrians graciously ceded the game at this point, although it was a near run thing! 

The stuff: You can download the orders of battle, setup diagram, notes on the rules variant, player reference sheet, and terrain effects chart on the 19th Century Rules Content Page.

A DAY OFF FROM WORK SPENT WITH GOOD FRIENDS...

The Hungarians, left to right: Byron (3rd division), Charlie (2nd division), and Mark D (1st Division). 

The Austrians, left to right, Ralph (3rd division), George (2nd division), and Mike (1st division and Cavalry division). 

 ...TOY SOLDIERS...

 ...AND DONUTS...

 What could be better? 

Excelsior!