Zorndorf : The Afternoon Attack - Seven Years War Field Of Battle 3 solo

As a wee change from boardgaming or the machinations involved in learning GDA2, I decided to play a quick solo game with my perennial favourite Field Of Battle 3 (always fun solo) and a scenario 'Zorndof: The Afternoon Attack' (designed for Black Powder but easily adapted) especially as been a while since my SYW stuff has been in action.

Scenario is a straight forward situation simulating the Prussian attacks on afternoon of Zorndorf after failed morning assault, strangely the Russians have no artillery Prussians only a single battery. 

There are rules in BP version for several Russians units being Valiant and several units on both sides being small or worn and similar. 

I did not replicate much of this other than Prussians losing First Fire ability and having two small (3UI) foot units.

Not a lot of terrain either with only a large swampy area to Russian rear and a light wood (the Stein Busch) and Zorndorf itself.

Large cavalry engagement on Prussian right led by their Cuirassier units (3 move charge on second card !) soon saw the lesser Russian mounted implode almost completely !

Russian foot had several decent volleys pushing back leading lines of Prussians but their follow up units hit Russians hard especially in center and things quickly looked bleak for them.

With several units destroyed or routing the Russian army morale plummeted (start at 30) and they were 'gifting' morale to Prussians and pain ended on an Army Morale card as they yielded (Prussians started with 35 morale lost 13 but gained 12 for a major victory).

I played this for couple of hours late Saturday after watching football (Euros have been entertaining overall so far) and completed game today in another couple of hours with 50 units in action on table (23 Russian and 27 Prussian).

Super stuff as always with FOB and this was a fast and exciting game even with me running from one side of table to other (keeps me fit...................not).

Initial set up (almost at 'whites of their eyes' range) Prussian on right

Prussian foot brigade in front of Zorndorf supported by the lonely gun battery and more foot

Russians foot awaits

Prussian Kuirassier and Dragoon regiments arrayed with Hussars extending flank

The Kuirassier were able to launch straight in melee destroying one Russian Cuirassier and repelling others and their Hussars

In center Russians fared better forcing back several oncoming Prussian foot battalions

Russian right anchored on wood stay unengaged

Prussians reorganize pushing fresh units into fray

Entire Russian left wing under real pressure

Casualties (and therefore lost Army Morale) mounted and another Cuirassier is routed

In FOB units sitting disordered (yellow) and with hits (dice) are very vulnerable.

Russian Hussars having to take on front line duties for which they are ill equipped

Russian lines look solid

Until suddenly they are being forced back (a couple of units had routed but recovered)

Disaster unfolds on Russian left 

Russian center now under assault as well

Morale dropping fast as hits mount

Only the right wing remains strong

Prussian reserve formations push forward 

At end even the right has had to retire under pressure