The Battle of Nachod is one of a series of smaller engagements between the Austrians and the Prussians. These encounters occured as the Prussians advanced into Bohemia and bumped into scattered units of the Austrian Army. The campaign in Bohemia started with the Prussians taking the bold decision to cross the frontier before their enemies were properly mobilised. This action was part of the Prussian 2nd Armies advance from Silesia. Von Steinmetz's V Corps advanced along a mountain pass and through the town of Nachod. They emerged into the Methau Valley to be confronted by Ramming's VI Austrian Corps. This unit, later reinforced by the 1st Reserve Cavalry Division, attempted to force them back into the mountains.

Scale and Notes:

This game can be played in either of the scales I discussed in the first article. I have used 1 stand = 300 men. The Prussian phase is first each turn. the game starts with the 08:30 turn and finishes with the 16:00 turn.

Orders of Battle:

Prussian V Corps

All infantry are armed with the Needle gun, NG, artillery as noted. Roll a D6 for each unit that does not have an 'E' leader. On a roll of a 6 cavalry units have an 'E' leader, on a roll of 5 or 6 all others have an 'E' leader.

Austrian VI Corps:

Austrian infantry are armed with a MLR, the artillery is RA. Roll a D6 for each unit that does not have an 'E' leader. On a roll of a 5 or 6 jager units have an 'E' leader, on a roll of a 6 all others have an 'E' leader.

Corps HQ: 1 Leader ( Baron Ramming )

• Corps Artillery: 1 Foot Battery ( RA ). 1 Horse Battery ( RA ). 1 Rocket Battery ( Roc ).

1st Reserve Cavalry Division (Part):

Division HQ: 1 Poor Leader (Prince Schleswig - Holstein)

• Divisional Artillery: 1 Horse Battery ( RA )
• 1st Cavalry Brigade: 6 / 4 / 2 ( Crack Hvy. Cav. )

Options.
1 each of the Prussian Divisional artillery and the horse artillery may be upgraded to BLA. For each such gun upgraded an Austrian commander may be upgraded from 'Poor" to normal.

Deployment and Reinforcements:

08:30

• Game start - Prussians move first.
• Prussians: Von Lowenfeld, 37th Fusiliers and 5th Jaegers - Within 12'' of point A in any formation desired.
• Austrians: 2nd 'Division' - Point B - Artillery limbered, Jaegers skirmishing, Infantry in column of attack.

09:30

• Prussian reinforcements: Von Steinmetz, 58th Infantry and 9th Division Artillery.
• Austrian reinforcements: 4th 'Division' - Enter table edge C in column of march, limbered, etc.

11:00

• Prussian reinforcements:  Prussian cavalry brigade - Point A in column of march, or they may delay a turn and arrive in any formation.
• Austrian reinforcements: 3rd 'Division' - Point C in column of march, or they may delay a turn and arrive in any formation.
• 1st Reserve Cavalry Division - Point D in column of march, or they may delay a turn and arrive in any formation.

12:00

• Prussian reinforcements: Von Kirchbach, 6th Grenadiers and 46th Infantry - Point A in column of march,
  or they may delay a turn and arrive in any formation.
• Austrian reinforcement: Baron Ramming and the Corps Artillery - Point D 

13:00

• Prussian reinforcement: 47th Infantry, 52nd Infantry and 10th Division's Artillery - Point A in column of march,
  or they may delay a turn and arrive in any formation.
• Austrian reinforcement: 1st 'Division' - Point C in column of march, or they may delay a turn and arrive in any formation.

13:30

• Prussian reinforcement: 7th Grenadiers and the Corps Artillery - Point A in column of march, or they may delay a turn and arrive in any formation.

16:00

• Game ends after Austrian move.

Terrain: All woods and villages give a -1 to fire combat. All hills are rough going. In addition the areas where woods and hills overlap is impassable to artillery and cavalry. Cultivated Land: Blocks line of sight but has no other effect on the game. Victory Points: Both sides will count the normal victory points for worn, shaken, etc., with the following changes. All cavalry and jager units count half the normal victory points. Prussian guns earn 1 victory point if damaged and 2 victory points if captured or destroyed. In addition the following can be gained at the end of the game. Austrians: 5 v.p's for occupying Wenzelberg. 10 v.p's for occupying Wysokow. 10 v.p's for occupying road junction between Wysokow and A. 10 v.p's for Point A.
Prussians: 5 v.p's each for the two road junctions, Points B and D.

The battle consisted of three attacks by the Austrians on the Prussian line. Initially the Austrian 2nd and 4th 'Divisions' advanced to attack the Prussians. This assault on the Prussian 9th Division was beaten off. A second assault was undertaken with the arrival of the rest of the Austrian forces. It threatened to overwhelm the Prussian until their reinforcements also arrived. In the face of the strengthened enemy the Austrians once more pulled back. After a short time to recover and regroup they launched a third and final attack. This only served to increase the Austrians casualty lists and by 14:00 the Austrians began to withdraw. They had fought bravely and nearly succeeded in throwing the Prussians back over the mountains. Although they had paid a high price losing 7,600 men to the Prussians 1,100. Such was the butcher's bill for attacking breech loading rifles in attack columns.