HMGS-Midwest. BOD Update - Winter 2010/11 by Jeff Cohen. hope that all enjoy.

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1 T H E L O C A L N E W S L E T T E R F O R T H E M I N I A T U R E W A R G A M I N G E N T H U S I A S T HMGS-Midwest V O L U M E 4 I S S U E 7 W I N T E R / BOD Update - Winter 2010/11 by Jeff Cohen I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E : BOD Update 1 DuPage Expo 2 Center The Campaign 3 of 1757 The Treasurer s Report 8 LW 2011 Lay 11 Out HMGS-MW 12 New Award Gaming Opportunities 14 It is not long before Little Wars will be upon us. There are many volunteers working many long hours to make this another successful convention. I hope that when you see them that you pass on a word of thanks, for without them we would not have a convention. I hope that everyone gets the word out that we have changed locations. The new home of the convention is the Pheasant Run Resort in St Charles, Illinois. We have a two year contract with the facility and at the conclusion of this years convention we will begin negotiations for the 2013 convention. We will strive to hold the convention on the last weekend of April each year. That way it will make it much easier for attendees, vendors and game masters to do some long range planning. I am sure that someone will not get the word on our new location or just not take notice of the change in venue, so please make sure to get the word out to all that plan on attending. hope that all enjoy. LC 2010 The flea market. LC 2010 Action! I look forward to seeing all of you at the convention and LC 2010 The Lower gym.

2 P A G E Odana Rd. Madison, WI Fax: The DuPage Expo Center; Our New Home for Little Wars What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight it s the size of the fight in the dog... --Gen Dwight D. Eisenhower --. The DuPage Expo Center is across the street from the Pheasant Run Resort (where the hotel room block is located). The resort does run a shuttle service from the resort to the Expo Center. See the resort for details. DIRECTIONS From O'Hare International Airport Take I-90 West to Route 59 South. Exit south on Route 59 and continue to North Avenue (Route 64). Turn right (west) on North Avenue. DuPage Expo is located 3 miles west of Route 59 on North Avenue (Route 64) on the north side of the street. From Chicago Take I-290 West to I-88 West. Continue west on I-88 to Farnsworth (Kirk) North. Exit north on Farnsworth (Kirk) and continue to North Avenue (Route 64). Turn right (east) on North Avenue and continue approximately 1 mile. From Chicago Midway Take Cicero Avenue North to I-55 South. Get on I-55 South and continue to I-355 North. Exit onto I-355 North and continue to I-88 West. Exit onto I-88 West and continue to Farnsworth (Kirk) North. Exit north on Farnsworth (Kirk) and continue to North Avenue (Route 64). Turn right (east) on North Avenue and continue approximately 1 mile. DuPage Expo is located on the north side of the street.

3 V O L U M E 4 I S S U E 7 P A G E 3 The Campaign of 1757 Frederick at His Best (and Worst) by Robert Fulton I. The Strategic Situation in 1757 a. Background of the Seven Years War i. War of the Austrian Succession and the Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle ii. Maria Theresa & Count Kaunitz iii. Louis XV and Madame Pompadour iv. Tsarina Elizabeth and Russian intrigues (Bestuzhev) v. Britain and the Convention of Westminster vi. The defensive alliance; the troops begin assembling; Frederick faces the loss of strategic initiative vii. Frederick s preemptive strike giving the Austrians the moral high ground b. The Incomplete Campaign of 1756 i. The invasion of Saxony; a dagger pointed at Prussia s heart 29 August ii. The three pronged assault aimed at Dresden iii. Browne is unprepared iv. The camp at Pirna withdrawal and Saxon hopes; no plan of cooperation v. Advance to Lobositz; control of the Elbe Browne s rescue plan vi. The battle of Lobositz Not the same old Austrians 1 October vii. Browne s relief attempt the timid Saxons viii. The surrender of Pirna and the Saxon Army 14 October c. Campaign Plans and Build-up 1757 i. The Austrians plan their campaign ii. Reluctant allies The French; preparations proceed slowly on all fronts iii. The Imperial Diet expels Prussia iv. Frederick s plans for the invasion of Bohemia Winterfeldt and Schwerin v. Taking the battle to the enemy ; the Austrians underestimate; Browne s assumptions and his health II. The Campaign through Mid-July a. Opening Moves the Invasion of Bohemia i. The Austrians are surprised; the failure of intelligence ii. Four separate Prussian columns enter Bohemia; the failure of Browne s plans and his health iii. First contact Frederick pursues; advance on Prague iv. The Austrian refuse to give battle Withdrawal to Prague; Archduke Charles assumes overall command; ebelloni barely stirs as Schwerin waltzes by v. The Austrians have a council of War; Browne urges immediate attack; the Council decides to take up defensive positions east of the city vi. The Prussians unite forces; Schwerin s delays vii. Frederick s dilemna b. Prague A Pyrrhic Victory 6 May i. Frederick leaves Keith and 30,000 to watch Prague while he takes 24,000 across the Moldau to await Schwerin 5 May ii. Schwerin finals moves and unites with Frederick 6 May iii. The oblique maneuver Winterfeldt and Schwerin search for a way; Frederick s gastric issues iv. Frederick sends the army marching southeast in full view of the Austrians; Austrian surprise and reaction v. The fish ponds and bottom lands the grass is greener for a reason; vi. The Austrians meet the challenge cold steel vs. canister and shot; the shirt to the right flank vii. The Prussians advance with cold steel and no artillery viii. The indecisive cavalry battle ix. Winterfeldt wounded; the death of Marshall Schwerin; the Prussian infantry falls back; the Austrian grenadiers charge; Browne wounded X. Prince Henry and Zieten save the day; Charles is speechless xi. The butcher s bill both sides loose 14,000 xii. The death of Marshall Browne 26 June c. The Siege of Prague 7 May/20 June i. The ineffectual siege unplanned; the siege artillery takes a month to arrive ii. Austria defiant

4 P A G E 4 The Campaign of 1757 Frederick at His Best (and Worst) by Robert Fulton The art of war is, in the last result, the art of keeping one s freedom of action... Xenophon. Necessity, dire necessity, will, nay must, justify my attack... Gen. George Washington iii. What Frederick did not know supplies only for two months iv. Daun raises and army ($52,000) and moves (cautiously) to the rescue v. Bevern with 25,000 repulsed (and not for the last time) vi. Frederick joins Bevern with 10,000; his initial plan to maneuver Daun out of reach of Prague; Moritz brings up another 4,000 vii. Frederick s assessment and plans for battle; his assessment of Daun viii. Daun s position on the Austrian parade grounds d. Kolin Impatience in Action 18 June i. The flank march on the Kaiserstrasse; this was Austrian ground ii. Frederick s observations at the Slati Slunce Inn; the lay of the land iii. A premature halt Frederick loses more than an hour; Hulsen and the Advance Guard iv. Daun reacts; Hulsen pushes through Krechor v. Moritz and Frederick disagree; Frederick s orders; Now the battle is lost vi. The main frontal attack the Oblique Order gone wrong; the battle becomes general; Manstein diverted to Prezerovsky Hill vii. The Austrians hold in the center against Tresckow; battle in the Oak Wood viii. Krosigk s charge into the exposed Austrian flank, taking out several regiments; Seydlitz bravery ix. The crisis on the Austrian right; Austrian reinforcements; Zieten distracted x. The regiment of Botta stands fast; both sides rush reinforcements to Krechor Hill; the final cavalry action xi. Frederick defeated at last; Dogs, would you live forever? xii. The butcher s bill redux 13,000 Prussian casualities; the Austrians too exhausted to follow-up e. The Prussian Retreat i. Frederick at Klein-Michele ii. Frederick s ceding of command to Prince Henry who handles the details of the retreat with evident efficiency iii. Fredrick recovers and focuses his efforts III. Enemies All Around July through September a. Austrian Pursuit & August Wilhelm i. 25 June the Prussians separate ii. August Wilhelm (the King s brother) takes command of 34,000 to cover the approaches to the Elbe (Saxony); Frederick takes 33,000 west of the Elbe iii. Frederick s orders : maintain yourself in Bohemia until Mid-August; protect the magazines and depots iv. Daun uses superior numbers to push the Prussians out of Behemia v. August Wilhelm loses the important road junction at Gabel 15 July vi. The magazine at Zittau in Saxony is taken by the Austrians 23 July vii. August Wilhelm is dismissed shamefully by Frederick at Bautzen (30 July); Keith is left to withdraw the left bank army from Bohemia viii. Frederick with 51,000 faces 100,000 Austrians under Daun north of Zittau 16 August ix. Frederick wants to attack, and is dissuaded by Henry; the army breathes a collective sigh of relief; Frederick withdraws to Bautzen - 20 August b. The French and the Empire i. D Estrees against the Duke of Cumberland France ascendant ii. D Estrees wins the day the Defeat at Hastenbeck (Cumberland s Last Stand) 26 July iii. The disintegration of the Army of Observation iv. Duc de Richelieu takes command 3 August v. Hamberg and Bremen taken; Hannover overrun vi. The Convention of Klosterzevern - 10 September vii. Richelieu plans to invade Prussia

5 V O L U M E 4 I S S U E 7 P A G E 5 The Campaign of 1757 Frederick at His Best (and Worst) by Robert Fulton c. The Russians i. The advance into East Prussia; Apraksin moves cautiously ii. Lehwaldt s moves; the Russians surprised iii. Lehwaldt defeated; Gross Jagersdorff 30 August iv. Apraksin retreats in disgrace; the collapse of the Russian offensive d. Sweden prepares and never makes a move IV. Regroup and Re-energize a. Frederick divides his forces in Saxony i. Frederick leaves Bevern in charge of protecting Brandenberg and Silesia (41,000); sets off against the French and empire forces 25 August ii. The Reichsarmee a collection of sycophantic princes; Prince Joseph Friedrich von Sachsen- Hildburghausen iii. The French Soubise in command b. Moys and Winterfeldt s Death 7 September i. Bevern with 45,000 and Winterfeld with 13,000; on either side of the Neisse ii. The Austrians surprise Winterfeldt iii. Battered, but victorious, the Austrians force the Prussians to withdraw c. Cat and Mouse - March & Countermarch i. Soubise and the French reach Erfurt 25 August ii. The Reichsarmee still south of the Thuringer Wald iii. The French and Empire forces advance cautiously; Frederick s reputation; they hang just out of his Majesty s reach iv. Frederick marches across Saxony; push Loudon out of Pegau 7 September; enters Gotha 15 September and withdraws v. Frederick detaches Brunswick & 4,000 to Halle to watch the Duc de Richelieu vi. Seydlitz joke on the Allies as they enter Gotha 17/19 September the Allies withdraw precipitously leaving behind 80 soldiers as prisoners, along with many assorted clerks, lackeys, cooks, ladies, perfumes, clothes and parrots vii. The Allies then assemble at Eisenach 15 to 22 September viii. Frederick withdraws the Prussian army north of Weimar to entice the Allies 27 September; the Allies don t take the bait; settle in at Gotha (again) ix. Broglie joins the party x. Frederick decides to return to face the Austrians; falls back behind the Saale 14 October d. Hadik s Raid on Berlin 16 October (11 to 23 October) i. Frederick and various detachments react ii. The money and the gloves iii. Back to business; Frederick moves back to Leipzig e. Rossbach 5 November i. The Allied advance on Leipzig 24 October ii. Keith withdraws into the city and prepares to defend iii. He is reinforced by Frederick on the 26 th, Henry and Ferdinand of Brunswick on the 27 th, and Moritz on the 28 th iv. Frederick pushes the Allies back to the Saale 30 October v. The Allies cross the Saale in confusion; Frederick pursues but is checked at Weissenfels; the bridges are burned vi. The Prussians cross the Saale with little resistance 3 November vii. Face off the Allied camp at Mucheln and the redeployment; Frederick recons viii. The Allies deliberate and make a foolish decision ix. The battle 45,000 against 22,000; the Allies overconfidence x. The Allies lurch out of camp, taking three hours to get moving xi. The Allied advance against Frederick s left flank; Allied cavalry in the lead, with infantry far in the rear; artillery between the two columns

6 P A G E 6 The Campaign of 1757 Frederick at His Best (and Worst) by Robert Fulton xii. Moller and Janus hill; Frederick s infantry are in position behind the hill in less than an hour xiii. Seydlitz and the rout of the French cavalry xiv. The Prussian infantry wheel around and deal a fatal blow to the Allied infantry xv. The pursuit the Allies take a beating and keep on retreating! V. Final Moves and Countermoves a. Austrian Moves vs. Bevern i. Prince Charles in command ii. Bevern wins the race to Breslau 30 September iii. The Austrians detach more and more troops to watch Frederick, guard posts and to besiege the key fortress of Schweidnitz iv. Schweidnitz was key as it would give the Austrians a bridgehead on the lower Silesian plain and could serve as an excellent base of operations v. Schweidnitz besieged 26 September and falls 12 November vi. Nadasdy rejoins Charles b. Breslau 22 November i. Attack or not? Daun casts the deciding vote ii. The Austrians attack in the center, with follow-up assaults right and left iii. The Prussians put up stiff resistance at first, and then collapse iv. The Prussians withdraw over the Oder; Zieten leads the rag-tag remnants v. Bevern allows himself to be captured c. Frederick s Return to Silesia (13 November 28 November) i. The victory march across Saxony and Silesia 308 km in sixty days ii. The Austrians pull in their blocks in fear for Prague & Keith iii. Charles prepares for Winter Quarters and gives Frederick the initiative iv. Frederick decides to act to leave the Austrians in possession of Silesia would be a disaster; it appears he must storm Breslau in a reverse role v. Frederick is magnanimous with the defeated from Breslau and he is working with the best soldiers and units the war would produce; combining the Rossbach and Breslau regiments d. The Parchwitz Address 3 December i. An infectious speech e. Leuthen Prince Charles Swan Song 5 December (39,000 vs. 55,000) i. Frederick captures the bakery ii. The Prussians feint through Borne, and then flank march iii. Daun and Charles confer the right wing is the target the Corps of Reserve marches north iv. Frederick marches south and swings into battalion lines v. The oblique maneuver flawlessly executed vi. The destruction of Nadasdy s wing: Wurttembergers and Bavarians; Nadasdy s cavalry is driven off by Zieten vii. Prussian artillery on the Juden-berg and then the Butterburg viii. The Prussian infantry push to Leuthen where the Austrians formed a new line facing south; the battle for Leuthen and the churchyard ix. The Austrians reform north of Leuthen; stiff resistance x. Lucchesi s charge and the Prussian counter-charge (Driesen); the Prussians victorious xi. Austrian rout as the sun goes down; the Windmill hill; pursuit (Austrians losses are over 20,000) f. The Austrian Retreat (Rout) back to Bohemia i. Breslau surrenders ii. All is lost except Schweidnitz iii. The Austrians are pushed back into Bohemia g. Winter Quarters (finally)

7 V O L U M E 4 I S S U E 7 P A G E 7 The Campaign of 1757 Frederick at His Best (and Worst) by Robert Fulton Bibliography & Selected Reading Duffy, Christopher. The Army of Frederick the Great. 2 nd ed. Chicago: The Emperor s Press, Duffy, Christopher. The Austrian Army in the Seven Years War. Vol 1: The Instrument of War. Chicago: The Emperor s Press, Duffy, Christopher. The Military Life of Frederick the Great. New York: Atheneum, Duffy, Christopher. Prussia s Glory: Rossbach and Leuthen Chicago: The Emperor s Press, Duffy, Christopher. The Military Experience in the Age of Reason. Wordsworth Military Library. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, Fraser, David. Frederick the Great. New York: Fromm International, Haythornthwaite, Philip and Younghusband, Bill. The Austrian Army : 1 Cavalry. Osprey Publishing Men-at- Arms Series, no Oxford: Osprey Publishing Ltd., Haythornthwaite, Philip and Younghusband, Bill. The Austrian Army : 2 Infantry. Osprey Publishing Men-at- Arms Series, no Oxford: Osprey Publishing Ltd., Haythornthwaite, Philip and Fosten, Bryan. Frederick the Great s Army (1) Cavalry. Osprey Publishing Men-at-Arms Series, no Oxford: Osprey Publishing Ltd., Reprint ed., Haythornthwaite, Philip and Fosten, Bryan. Frederick the Great s Army (2) Infantry. Osprey Publishing Men-at-Arms Series, no Oxford: Osprey Publishing Ltd., Reprint ed., Millar, Simon and Hook, Adam. Kolin Osprey Publishing Campaign Series, no. 91. Oxford: Osprey Publishing Ltd., Millar, Simon and Hook, Adam. Rossbach and Leuthen Osprey Publishing Campaign Series, no Oxford: Osprey Publishing Ltd., 2002 Showalter, Dennis E. The Wars of Frederick the Great. Harlow: Addison Wesley Longman Ltd., 1996.

8 V O L U M E 4 I S S U E 7 P A G E 8 Treasurer s Report by Kevin Seward HMGS MIDWEST STATEMENT of PROFIT AND LOSS YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2010 BALANCE AS OF JANUARY $44, REVENUE Little Wars '10 / Membership $26, Little Wars '11 Vendor fees $1, LutherCon $ Interest: $19.31 TOTAL REVENUE $26, EXPENSES Little Wars '10 ($22,628.62) Little Wars '11 ($3,023.73) Little Wars '12 ($3,000.00) LutherCon ($2,276.68) Website ($59.88) Administrative and Other ($2,177.34) TOTAL EXPENSES ($33,166.25) We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he today that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother. William Shakespeare, Henry V Between a battle lost and a battle won, the distance is immense and there stand empires. Napoleon TOTAL PROFIT / LOSS ($6,295.94) BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER $38,

9 P A G E 9

10 P A G E 1 0 Force has no place where there is need of skill Herodotus --. To make sure you attack where there is no defense is what is crucial to warriorship... --Sun Bin--.

11 P A G E 1 1 V O L U M E 4 I S S U E 7 Little Wars 2011 Convention Hall Layout Preview by Steve Rysemus It is better to be at the right place with ten men than absent with ten thousand... --Tamerlane--. Dealer Area (Yellow Tables) Victory in war does not depend entirely upon numbers or mere courage; only skill and discipline will insure it... --Flavious Vegetius Renatus--. War College and Flea Market held in separate room (S1) Alternate- War College held in reception area (S2) Event Area (Blue Tables)

12 P A G E 1 2 Here is the New Challenge Coin. Each recipient will have his or her name inscribed in the blank spot above the number. HMGS-MW New Award by Steve Rysemus I realized vividly now that the real horrors or war were to be seen in hospitals, not on the battlefield... --Lt. Gen. Sir John Glubb--. So in our last issue I introduced this new award and described what this memorial Coin would look like. Well it has gone through a bit of some evolution and what I present today are the actual pictures of what the coin really looks like.. The HMGS-Midwest BOD have awarded the first four coins of the Fisher Award to the following individuals. These individuals have our thanks and appreciation for the years of service and dedication to the hobby, HMGS-Midwest, and Little Wars. Without such individuals we would not have a society or convention. Todd Fisher: Co-founder of HMGS-Midwest and Little Wars. Served as the first HMGS-Midwest Treasurer and Little Wars Convention Director, with over 10 years of service and excellence to both the organization and convention. He distinguished himself as an author, game-master, rules developer and author, and historical expert. Rodger Kruse: Served for 6 years as Executive Vice- President HMGS-Midwest and Little Wars Convention Director. During his tenure as Little Wars Convention director Rodger has been instrumental in the steady increase in attendance and quality of game masters that have made Little Wars what it is today. Rodger s aggressive negotiation with our convention hosts have allowed us to keep our costs and prices at stable levels when many others are force to increase prices. Rodger was instrumental in setting the stage for a successful move to our new location. Dave Herman: For more years than most can remember Dave has been seen behind the registration desk making sure that things ran efficiently. He has worked hard to support the convention, not only in serving behind the registration desk, but also devoting countless hours of effort in making sure that pre-registration forms have been mailed, that badges and other supporting documents and forms are prepared and ready, and that goodie bags were prepared and ready for distribution to game masters. Anne Herman: Has been a constant feature behind the registration desk along side of her husband making sure that things ran efficiently. She has long been the smiling face that welcomed attendees and processed their registrations. She has supported and assisted the efforts of her husband in making sure that registration forms have been mailed, that badges and other supporting documents are prepared and ready for the convention. She has made thousands of brownies that are found in the goodie bags that are prepared and distributed to our game masters. Presentation of these coins will be done most likely while the honoree is running an event or in the registration area (where you will most likely find Anne and Rodger.

13 P A G E 1 3 N E W S L E T T E R T I T L E

14 HMGS-Midwest Board of Directors The local newsletter for the miniature wargaming enthusiast President Executive Vice President Jeff Cohen Loren Haberkamp Vice President Scott McKay Membership Questions? Submissions? Steve Rysemus, Newsletter Editor Secretary Treasurer Mark Pawelski Kevin Seward Gaming Opportunities Cold Wars March , Lancaster Host Lancaster, PA Little Wars April 08-11, 2011, Pheasant Run Resort, DuPage Expo Center, St Charles IL 20LW.html Historicon! July 07-11, 2011, Valley Forge Convention Center, King of Prussia, PA North Coast Gamers Holiday Game Bash Dec 11, 2010, Noon to Midnight, Richfield United Church-Christ, Richfield OH Coast-Gamers/ calendar/ / Historical Miniatures Game Society Night Games Plus, 2nd Friday every month, Games Plus, 101 W Prospect Ave, Mt Prospect, IL LC 2010 Gaming