Olmutz to Torgau: Horace St Paul and the Campaigns of the Austrian Army in the Seven Years War 1758-60
By Horace St Paul (Edited by Neil Cogswell)
Olmutz to Torgau: Horace St Paul and the Campaigns of the Austrian Army in the Seven Years War 1758-60
Introduction: Picking up after the disaster of Leuthen, this volume follows the professionalization of the Austrian army during the middle years of the war. It is a narrative of grit and strategic recovery, detailing the lifting of the siege of Olmutz, the surprise at Hochkirch, and the bloody stalemate of Torgau. St Paul’s role as an observer allows for a rare look at the Austrian "Grand Staff" in action as they attempted to outmaneuver the most dangerous general in Europe.
The 6mm Connection: This volume is particularly useful for the "Petite Guerre" (Small War). St Paul spends a great deal of time on the Croats and Grenzer regiments. For Baccus 6mm players, this provides the historical justification for fielding large numbers of irregular light infantry in Black Powder. His descriptions of the night attack at Hochkirch are perfect for scenario designers looking to implement "Fog of War" rules or specialized night-fighting mechanics for their 6mm battalions.
Historical Insight: The standout insight here is the Austrian use of "Abatis" and field fortifications. St Paul details how the Imperial army turned villages into fortresses at Torgau. This influenced my own modeling, encouraging me to invest in more 6mm-scale earthworks and gabions to represent the "Fabian" defensive tactics that Daun favored to frustrate Frederick.
Conclusion: If the first volume is about survival, this volume is about mastery. It provides the tactical depth needed to move beyond "line versus line" wargaming and into the world of strategic positioning and combined arms.
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