The Battle of Nachod is one of a series of smaller engagements between the Austrians and the Prussians. These encounters occurred 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.

The purpose of this page is to provide scenario details for the Battle of Nachod, 1866. The scenario is for use with the Mit Blut und Eisen rules for the mid Nineteenth century European wars - Mit Blut und Eisen.

Note: The version for the old rules is here - Fire and Furia Francese scenario

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 a leader. On a roll of 5 or 6 the unit has a leader. Roll again and on a 1-5 it is a +1 leader, on a 6 a +2 leader.

HQ: 1 Corps Commander: Von Steinmetz (2) : Formation Morale 21 - 2 D6

• Corps Artillery: 2 Foot Batteries (BLA) 1 Horse Battery (SA)

• Attached Cavalry Brigade: 4 / - / 3 (+2 leader)

Austrian VI Corps

Austrian infantry are armed with a MLR, the artillery is RA. Roll a D6 for each unit to see if it has a leader. On a roll of a 5 or 6 Jager units have a leader, on a roll of a 6 all others have a leader. Roll again and on a 1-5 it is a +1 leader, on a 6 a +2 leader.

Corps HQ: 1 Corps Commander: Baron Ramming (3) : Formation Morale 25 plus 1 for each addditional light unit used - 4 D6

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

1st Reserve Cavalry Division (Part):

Division HQ: Prince Schleswig - Holstein (1)

• Divisional Artillery: 1 Horse Battery ( RA )

• 1st Cavalry Brigade: 6 / 4 / 2 (+1)

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.

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 Historical Battle:

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.