Lobositz to Leuthen: Horace St Paul and the Campaigns of the Austrian Army in the Seven Years War 1756-57
By Horace St Paul (Edited by Neil Cogswell)
Lobositz to Leuthen: Horace St Paul and the Campaigns of the Austrian Army in the Seven Years War 1756-57
Introduction: This volume offers an invaluable primary-source narrative of the early years of the Third Silesian War. Rather than a dry technical manual, it is a compilation of the journals of Horace St Paul, an English gentleman-volunteer serving with the Austrian army. The book covers the transition from the shock of the Prussian invasion of Saxony in 1756 to the massive set-piece battles of 1757, including Lobositz, Prague, Kolin, and the crushing defeat at Leuthen. It sets the scene for a revitalized Habsburg military attempting to curb Frederick the Great’s ambitions.
The 6mm Connection: For the Baccus 6mm enthusiast, St Paul’s observations on formation density are gold. His descriptions of the "battalion masses" and the spacing between lines during the relief of Prague provide a clear blueprint for basing your 6mm stands to reflect historical footprints. The text highlights the visual distinction between the Austrian white-coated infantry and the Croat light troops, which is essential for painting small-scale skirmishers for Black Powder. His notes on the terrain at Kolin help in designing wargaming boards that accurately reflect why the Prussian "oblique order" struggled against the Austrian heights.
Historical Insight: A major "lightbulb moment" in this text is St Paul’s description of the Austrian artillery’s performance at Kolin. Often overshadowed by the infantry, the guns were the true anchors of the line. St Paul details the logistical nightmare of repositioning heavy pieces mid-battle, a detail that reinforces why "limbering" rules in Black Powder are so critical to game balance.
Conclusion: This book is an essential bridge between narrative history and tactical reality. It rounds out a wargamer's understanding of why the Austrians were such a formidable foe when properly dug in, making it a must-have for anyone collecting 18th-century Habsburgs.
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