Readers interested in learning more detail about the play of 7YW:FG should read the our earlier article, The 7 Years War: Frederick’s Gamble – Playtest Report.

Designer Greg Ticer’s hand-drawn 7YW:FG playtest map.

Theaters of Operation and General Introductory Overview

The fighting depicted in The Seven Years War: Frederick’s Gamble game (7YW: FG) can in historical terms be divided into distinct theaters of operation. The naval conflict, abstracted in the game, was chiefly between the British and the French, as were the conflicts in India, North America, the Caribbean and elsewhere which, when including the broader European stage, result in many deeming this conflict “The First World War”. 

MINI-MAP NORTH AMERICA: On the North American frontier, the British suffered early defeats because their army was not effectively trained nor equipped for wilderness fighting. By 1758 these deficits had been remedied and the tide turned in favor of the British. During 1759, known to history as the “Anno Mirabilis” (Year of Miracles), the British launched a three-pronged offensive against the last French controlled territory and, by end of that year, achieved their aim of destroying France’s North American colonial presence.  In 7YW:FG  terms, that colonial theater of operations would be considered “Dominated” and the British enabled to annually transfer troops, e.g. strength points (SP’s), out of North America.

MINI-MAP INDIA (Two Sections: Bengal and Mysore): 7YW:FG’s other Colonial theater of operations in this first of world wars is the Indian subcontinent. Chiefly, this was a war between two commercial enterprises: the French and English East India Companies. This was war on a small scale compared to the battles of Europe and North America; but the prize of dominance in India was nevertheless important and lavishly rewarding. Both companies deployed locally raised troops known as Sepoys.   These were reinforced by a sprinkling of regular European soldiers provided by their respective governments. The campaigns began in Bengal in 1756 and were concluded in Britain‘s favor after the 1757 Battle of Plassey.

The conflict’s focus then switched to a southern India region, the Carnatic (called Mysore in the 7YW:FG game), where the war took a more European flavor. The French were at first on the offense during 1758, but were unable to hold their advantage due to reverses in the naval situation. British success blockading the French navy meant the French in their colonies were effectively cut off from any hope of reinforcement by sea. Eventually, the British reinforced and came to “Dominate” both areas of India.

The War in Europe

The Main 7YW:FG map depicts Europe.  By 1756 Britain and France had already formally declared open war. The conflict, however, had not yet spread beyond India or North America. That was to change and change dramatically. 

In 1756, Prussia, under its ambitious King Frederick II, seeing that France, Austria, Russia, HRE (Holy Roman Empire) and Sweden were all lining up against it, felt the time for bold action was now. Action that would, it was hoped, keep the war from Prussian soil. Frederick II’s eye fell on the Electorate of Saxony, being wealthy and strategically located.  If this objective could be brought into Prussia’s possession before Austria’s forces intervened, it would greatly improve Prussia’s military situation. So, in August 1756, Fredrick did just that and his campaign of conquest went exactly as planned.

Austria’s attempt to block the Prussian invasion was weak and Russia had not yet fully mobilized.  Frederick then incorporated Saxon forces into his Army and went into winter quarters. So far, Frederick’s Gamble was paying off handsomely.  Historians will argue whether or not Prussia’s action was the match that ignited a general European war, or if Prussia acted wisely to pre-emptively meet the inevitable onslaught. But one thing was very clear; the military events of 1756 destroyed any hope of a peaceful solution to the situation in Europe which would now be decided by force of arms.

In game terms, 1756 is not that dramatic a year since the Prussians brought overwhelming strength to crush the weak Saxon Army.  A future 3Ci magazine article will provide players the option of starting the game with 1756 using special playing pieces provided with the main 7YW:FG game.

1757 7YW:FG Turn One:  Russia became the third signatory to the First Treaty of Versailles, France mobilized an Army to invade Hanover and the British responded by raising an Army of their own under Cumberland , primarily of well-trained local forces supplemented by British regulars. France’s Army, led by Soubise, moved aggressively to occupy Hanover and, if needed, offered to engage in battle any force that might oppose them… and oppose them the British did. The result was the Battle of Hastenbeck,(which takes place in the map Duchy of Lippstadt) where the French overcame Cumberland’s Allied forces. The aftermath of this battle and ensuing French pursuit saw that lamentable British commander sign a treaty with the French surrendering all of Hanover except rebellious Stade.   In terms of 7YW:FG, the French successfully siege captured Kessel and Hanover, as well as the earlier seized Munster  (Back home, the British Government never accepted this treaty).

Frederick started his 1757 campaign by going over to the offense. As soon as the campaign season began; he promptly invaded Austria and marched on Prague. Frederick was not going to let the war come to Prussian soil and if he could capture Prague, surely, he reasoned, Austria would sue for peace. However, the Austrian Army Prussia encountered was not the Austrian Army they were used to fighting.  The War of the Austrian Succession, which cost the Hapsburgs precious Silesia, taught the Austrian military some valuable lessons.  The Austrians spent much of the interwar years improving their Leadership, discipline, and tactics.  These Hapsburg efforts were to bear fruit and inflict unpleasant military experiences upon Prussia.

Frederick won the initial battles of his invasion at a higher cost than anticipated and he was unable to drive the Austrians into surrendering Prague: so a siege would be required. The Austrians were gathering a force to relieve Prague and Frederick, aware of this, dispatched forces to drive the Austrians off. The ensuing Battle of Kolin saw the Prussian army bested by a disciplined and well led Austrian Army.

Russia, slow to start due to a creaking mobilization, finally moved against East Prussia. The Russian army was surprised at the Battle of Gross-Jagerdorf, fought in the Duchy adjacent to Konigsberg, and initially suffered heavy casualties, but as the engagement progressed, the Russians reformed, and after bringing their artillery to bear on Prussian positions, turned the battle to their favor. This too was not a result Frederick envisioned. The Russian army had proven a better opponent than the one Prussia previously encountered.

Distressed by these reverses, Frederick withdrew from Austrian territory, retuning to Saxony to regroup and determine what should be done next.  It was then reports came in indicating a considerable French force was moving east.  Was their intent to unite with the Austrians or draw Prussian forces away from Austria?

In one of those moments Frederick earned his “the Great” title, he turned his main Army on the French under Soubise and attacked.  The Battle of Rossbach (which is the Holy Roman Empire’s Erfurt Duchy on the game map) is one of Frederick’s crowning victories (Soubise lost 10,000 men vs. but 548 Prussian losses).  Despite this victory, the pressure on Frederick was unremitting.  While diverted by operations against the French, the Austrians took opportunity to inflict a series of reverses upon Prussian forces in Silesia.  Frederick was compelled to march back east to meet this new threat.

Frederick confronted the Austrian Silesian Army near Breslau.   Frederick was about 19,000 strong and the Austrians about 66,000. These armies met at The Battle of Leuthen. This battle is considered to be the most brilliant battle conducted by Frederick during his career (Austria lost 22,000 vs. Prussian 11,000).   The Prussians employed a tactic known as the oblique order (Battle Card“Oblique Maneuver”). The tactic was a most difficult exercise and was never again executed with the same effect by the Prussians.

Prussian Grenadiers charging at Leuthen in December, 1757

Even with these two decisive 1757 victories, the year closed with Frederick seeing his dreams of quick campaigns and early victory fade: for Prussia remained in a precarious strategic position.

That’s it for Part 1 of this article. We hope you enjoyed it! More to come….

Next Article: The Seven Years War: Frederick’s Gamble – “The First World War”, 1756-1762 – Part 2

Author: Greg Ticer