The Franco-Prussian War confirmed the superiority of the Prussian war
machine over Continental Europe and saw the unification of a German, if
Prussian-led State. It was a short war, forever removing the obsolete tactics
of the Napoleonic era. Modern breech loading weapons could inflict casualties
over a thousand yards and cannon much further. The Prussians were able to
inflict their crushing victories over the French with their superior artillery
and aggressive initiative. The French were responsible for their own defeat
being both poorly lead and inadequately prepared. The Republican armies could
not make up the deficiencies and quickly succumbed to the Prussians over the
winter of 1870-71.
Even though the war was short and clean-cut in the
greater scheme of history - seemingly an uninteresting period to wargame - the
Franco Prussian war offers wargamers the chance for one Last Parade of
colourful French uniforms staunchly defending their country, fromage and
vineyards from the grey Prussian onslaught. French Generals will no doubt be
able to perform better than their historical counterparts and give the
Prussians a run for their money in battles of up to 300,000 combatants in
total.
The ruleset that I am using is 1870 Grand Tactical Rules which
focuses on Corp level battles, which practically all the battles were. 140
figures and 7 guns (using 15mm double basing for artillery) represent a
typical Prussian Corp of two Divisions and 210 figures and 7 guns for the
French (2-3 Divisions). As the promoter of the game and period at my wargames
club (The League of Ancients)
the onus is up to me to provide enough forces and opportunity for the game to
be played. My focus will be on the Imperial part of the war. It had the
largest battles cumulating with St. Privat and the destruction of Napoleon
III's Empire at Sedan. The French Republic had the only victory against the
Prussians in the war but it was short lived and much of the campaigning done
in winter and with lower quality troops.
Wissembourg refight
Early morning saw the first battle of the Franco-Prussian war: one exposed
French division of MacMahon's Armee in the path of three Corps, one Bavarian
and two Prussian under the command of the Crown Prince Wilhelm. One battalion
of the 74th occupied the town of Wissembourg on the Lauter river whilst the
rest were along a ridge over a kilometer behind anchored on the right flank by
the chateau Geissberg. From the north and east approached the first columns of
the invaders.
The Bavarians decided to assault Wissembourg directly
and without delay. However their assault was halted with heavy casualties by
the battalion. General Douay ordered the 50th to reinforce the town unaware of
the size of the enemy that was bearing down on him.
More Bavarian and
Prussians sped onto the battlefield. Near Wissembourg a charge by the
Bavarians was repulsed but a the firepower of an additional brigade destroyed
the 50th before they could make the town impregnable. On the eastern front the
elements of two Prussian divisions worked towards the main French line, now
depleted to two Regiments. A direct attack by a Prussian Regiment failed to
gain any ground and the few survivors from the Corps' Jager battalion streamed
back to the safety of a growing gun line that would eventually comprise
sixteen batteries.
The death knell of the French position came when a
Prussian brigade turned the right flank of the defenders and successfully
assaulted the Geissberg with only minimal loses, routing the 74th Turco who
tried to counter attack. The few remaining French streamed from the field in
confusion and complete disorganization. However many Prussians and Bavarians
had fallen as well, at least as many as the defeated French.