By June 1743 the European powers had been at war for 3 years over the succession to the throne of the Habsburg Empire — the War of Austrian Succession. The Austrians and their allies — the so called Pragmatic Army because they favour the pragmatic solution of recognising the right of Maria Theresa to succeed her father — are moving on Mainz to secure the Electorate and its vote. France has sent an army to prevent this.
The Pragmatic Army is camped between Dettingen and Aschaffenburg between the River Main and forested hills beyond. They have been awaiting the arrival of King George II who has been in Hanover. The delay has resulted in the army eating through most of its supplies. Whilst the Pragmatic Army awaits the arrival of the British King, The French deploy to effectively bottle it up and cut its supply lines. The Pragmatic Army now needs to break out to reach its supply base at Hanau to the north.
With King George safely in his coach the Pragmatic Army deploys to break through the French lines.
The Duc de Gramont leads his division across the Main from Seligenstadt to occupy Dettingen and form a blocking position to prevent an allied break-out to the north.
At the same time the Prince de Tingry crosses the Main to occupy Aschaffenburg and block the allies from escaping to the south.
de Tingry’s advance is hindered by an audacious charge conducted by the Earl of Stair’s Austrian dragoons and hussars. The Royal Ecossais suffer heavy casualties but manage to see them off.
Gramont throws forward a skirmish line of dismounted dragoons supported by hussars to harass Herzog von Arenberg’s advance to the north on the eastern flank. They perform magnificently, delaying and inflicting casualties on the Austrians before being forced back. There will be medals all-round for the few remaining survivors of the French skirmish line.
Further west the British and Austrians advance on Dettingen to be met with withering fire from the village and the supporting French guns which halts them. Despite suffering heavy casualties the steady British platoon fire begins to wear down the French defenders and also kills their brigadier.
With the battle raging to the north and south Marechal Noailles sends his cavalry across a deep ford at Stockstadt to threaten the centre flank of the Pragmatic Army. Before the first regiment can make it across they are charged by the Duke of Cumberland’s cavalry and driven back with no survivors. A second French regiment drives back the British in turn and as the British withdraw they are raked by gun fire from the Prince de Tingry’s batteries.
The crossing of the ford takes pressure off de Tingry’s Irish brigade to the south, allowing them to cross the Main and form line. The Duke of Cumberland deploys his infantry to meet them. The British platoon fire this time is erratic. Two massed volleys fail to have any effect on the Irish.
To the north Duc Gramont’s French infantry halt a potential breakthrough by Arenberg’s Austrians after the withdrawal of the French skirmish line — killing an Austrian brigadier in the process.
At Dettingen the Gardes Françaises replace the line infantry holding the village.
Then they charge forward to break the British attackers.
To the south de Tingry’s Irish prevent an allied break-out in that direction.
To the north the French have held the Austrians and are now advancing against their weak left flank. King George’s coach is advised to turn back and seek safety. The fate of the British King hangs in the balance.
To prevent turmoil in Britain, the French are happy to offer up James Stuart — the rightful King James III — to rule the Isles of Albion.
It was an exciting game played using Close Fire and European Order rules. The Pragmatic Army had a near impossible task to break through the French lines unless the French made a serious error as they did in the historical battle but not in our game.