Planning for Frederick's Battles

So, of late I have been participating in a rules learning exercise for Koenig Krieg a set of rules for the Seven Years War that date from around the 1970s using Simon's superb 28mm figures.  Not surprisingly they have lots of things in common with rules for the Napoleonic period from around that time and say ten years after (i.e. the 1980s).  I then recalled there is even an adaption of my preferred Napoleonic rules for the SYW called Frederick's Battles.  The challenge is can I adapt the 15mm figure scale with the figures that Simon has  to recreate a battle?

The target is The Battle of Mollowitz 10 April 1741, the scenario for which is included in FB.

A 16 figure unit (roughly a regiment or brigade) in 15mm in line has a width of 3 inches and a depth of 1 inch.  In column it has a width of 1.5 inches and a depth of 2 inches.

Simon's figures are based six to a 45mm square.  

My vision is to use two such bases to represent a unit.  Unit strength would be recorded on the base like what we do for Rommel or Snappy Nappy.  In fact the look would be similar to SN.

In the scenario most infantry units are 16 figures.  Five are 20 and one is 24.  If Simon has enough bases the larger units could be represented by three bases. The frontage would be about right for the 24 figure unit, a bit over for the 20 figure unit, but so it goes.

"16"figure brigade in line

In column

20 or 24 figure brigade in column

And in line

In NB (and by extension FB) 1 inch represents 100 yards.  The measuring stick in the above images is in 40mm steps.  40mm equals 1.5 inches (more or less).  This means two bases of Simon's figures will have roughly the right frontage for a 16 figure unit.  The depth is a bit more, but shouldn't matter.  Importantly it means that the measurement can remain at 1 inch.  Very handy.

An alternative is to use measuring sticks with 3cm gradations, but as 1 inch is 25.4mm it is probably not worth the effort.

Artillery should be on a 1.5 inch base.  The scenario only has two batteries, both on the Prussian side. 

A bit wide but not much of an issue.

That leaves cavalry.  The units are either 12 or 16 figures which equates to frontages in line of 3 and 4 inches respectively.  Again the plan (or rather best/easiest option) would be to use two bases to represent the unit.  Frontage and depth would be acceptable (although the proof would be in the game).

Close to perfect for either sized brigade

Even depth looks good

Order of Battle Requirements

Using this system, the following bases are required:

Prussians

• One army and four wing commanders
• Twenty two bases of infantry (two units of two bases and six units of three bases
• Eight bases of cavalry (four units of two bases each)
• Two guns

Austrians

• One army and three wing commanders
• Ten bases of infantry (five units of two bases)
• Twelve bases of cavalry (six units of two bases)

Map

If we leave out row E then this can easily be accommodated on one of the club's 6x4 tables and using the club's existing terrain.

Labels

Labels will also serve to mark casualties.

The top number in each box is the number of bases required, or figures in the case of commanders.