Reich Duke Wilhelm von Beerstein's Biography

Reich Duke Wilhelm von Beerstein,
Protector of Brewswick, and “Lion of the Empire”
Austrian Field Marshal 1758
Born April 13, 1707, Vienna

Reich Duke Wilhelm von Beerstein is the son and grandson of military men. His father, William, Baron von Beerstein, was an Irish noble who followed King James II in his exile in 1690 and entered the Imperial service. In 1716, William, Baron von Beerstein was made a Count of the Empire (Reich Graf) by Emperor Charles VI. Meanwhile, Wilhelm’s uncle, Richard von Beerstein, became a Field Marshal in the Russian army.

In 1705, William, Baron von Beerstein married Louise von Link of Vienna. Wilhelm and his younger brother James Louis spent their childhood at the Viennese Court.

In 1721, Wilhelm was then sent to the Cavalry Academy at Leibnitz in Germany. When Frederick William I of Prussia refused to commission young Wilhelm, he returned to Vienna and used his family connections obtained his commission as a Cornet of cavalry.

In 1723, Wilhelm entered the Austrian service as a standard bearer in his father’s regiment. During the campaign in Sicily, Wilhelm was cited for bravery on several occasions and brevetted to Captain of the second squadron.

In 1732, the 25 years old Wilhelm was already a Lieutenant Colonel in his father’s Dragoon Regiment von Beerstein. His conduct in the Italian theatre of operation, amply justified his promotion.

In 1735, Wilhelm was promoted to the rank of Colonel and given his own Cuirassier Regiment. During the War of the Polish Succession, he took part in the campaigns in Italy and on the Rhine. At Tirol, he distinguished himself and was wounded leading his regiment, which destroyed two Dragoon Regiments and captured three heavy guns. While recovering from his wounds in Vienna, he met and married Countess Lynda von Lynn another exile from Ireland.

In 1736, Major General Graf William von Beerstein was killed in a sharp battle with the Turks in Transylvania. Being the eldest son, Wilhelm inherited the title Reich Graf von Beerstein. He immediately petitioned Maria Theresa for the opportunity to avenge his father and destroy the Turks.

From 1737 to 1740, Reich Graf Wilhelm continued to add to his distinctions during the war against the Turks. As a result of his actions during the Battle of Frotzka, he was promoted to the rank of Major General. Returning to Vienna, he leaned Countess Lynda had produced an heir, Wilhelm II von Beerstein.

From 1741 to 1742, Reich Graf Wilhelm was cited for exceptional leadership and courage. At the beginning of the War of the Austrian Succession, he was opposed the Prussian invasion of Silesia with insufficient forces. However, his judicious dispositions slowed the progress of the invaders and allowed Austria to assemble a field army. Nevertheless, Wilhelm was forced to retire to Moravia where he joined the army under Count Neipperg. He took part to the battle of Mollwitz and was severely wounded. Upon recovering, he participated in the ensuing campaigns of 1742. His brigade was present at Chotusitz and Czaslam.

In 1743, Reich Graf Wilhelm was promoted to Lieutenant General and lead the advanced guard of Khevenhüller's army during the victorious Danube campaign.

In 1744, Reich Graf Wilhelm served under Field Marshal Traun. He was responsible for the rearguard of the army, which allowed the Austrian army to disengage from the French and to attack Frederick II of Prussia. He was present at Prague.

In 1745, Reich Graf Wilhelm held important commands in the battles of Hohenfriedberg and Soor, and was later promoted to the rank of Feldzeugmeister.

In 1746 and 1747 Reich Graf Wilhelm served in the Low Countries where he took part to the battle of Wallenberg. Maria Theresa, Queen of Hungary and Archduchess of Austria, held Wilhelm in high esteem for his long service. She raised him to Reich Duke, appointed him Knight of the Golden Fleece and made him Commandant of Vienna.

In 1748, Reich Duke Wilhelm was entrusted with the reorganization of the Austrian army. The most noticeable improvements were done in the artillery by Prince Wenzel Liechtenstein and to the infantry by the introduction of the iron ramrod.

In 1749, the new regulations resulting from Reich Duke Wilhelm’s work were issued to the entire army. When Hungarian Duke Stanislaw died without an heir, Maria Theresa presented the Duchy of Stanislaw to Reich Duke Wilhelm. With her permission the Duchy was re-titled the Reich Duchy of Beerstein. With peace finally at hand, Reich Duke Wilhelm and his family retired to their Duchy to establish a new life. Hearing the great news of the family’s good fortune, Graf James Louis returned from Russia with his wife Sofia. Graf James Louis had his own outstanding military career raising the rank of Major General in the Russian service. For many years he had been under the tutelage of his uncle Field Marshal Richard von Beerstein.

From 1750 to 1758, peace and prosperity reigned in the Reich Duchy of Beerstein. The magnificent National Cathedral was completed, the Reichstag was implemented, the beer industry flourished, and the University of Pabst was established. It was a wonderful time to be a proud citizen of Beerstein.

In 1758, Prussian again threatened the Empire and the Reich Duchy of Beerstein. The Austrians suffered a stinging defeat at Ostendorf and caused the Reich Duke to mobilize his small army. His first battle with the Prussians was a hard fought draw at Hopsberg. Appealing for aid, four foreign generals arrived to bolster the army. The results were immediately seen in the victories of Alesgarden and Blatzberg. Empress Maria Theresa promoted Wilhelm to Field Marshal, invested him into the Order of Maria Theresa, declared him “Reich Protector” of the Barony of Brewswick, and named him “Lion of the Empire.”

Reich Duke Wilhelm wins Great Victory over dreaded Prussians at Blatzberg

Maj Gen von Coors surveys battlefield from knoll in front of Blatzberg

Maj Gen von Coors right flank anchored by the River Blatz

First Prussian Brigade deploys in line with River Blatz on their left flank

Prussian Dragoon Brigade crosses ford on the way to the Battle of Blatzberg

Prussian Cuirassier Brigade form line after crossing the ford across River Blatz

Prussian Infantry cross River Blatz enroute to face Beerstein Boys

Prussian infantry deploy in three lines in front of von Coors prepared position

Prussian front line assaults Maj Gen von Coors as cavalry deploy to the right

Maj Gen von Coors repulses first Prussian attack as his cavalry counterattack

Prussian second line advances and the first line routs to the rear

Beerstein Hussars attack Prussian battery as Prussian Cuirassiers counterattack

Five hours into the battle Reich Duke Whilhelm arrives in Prussian rear

Beerstein Dragoons cross ford while Cuirassiers and Infantry cross bridge

Prussian General Kieth surrenders to Reich Duke Wilhelm. Wilhelm seals his greatest victory thanks to the careful planning and deployment of Maj Gen von Coor and his small holding force.

French Order of Battle

French Guard Infantry , Swiss Guard Infantry, Grenadiers de France
Grenadiers de France , Combined Grenadiers , Champagne Infantry

Piedmont Infantry , Picarde Infantry , de Dauphine Infantry

St Second Infantry , Legois Infantry , Languedoc Infantry

la Reine Infantry , Blaisois Infantry, Argentois Infantry

Germain Infantry , Du Roi Infantry , Clare Infantry

Buckeley Infantry , Grender Infantry , Lamark Infantry

Diesback Infantry , Karrer Infantry , Grancey Infantry

de Tulle Milita Infantry Regt, 5 artillery batteries

Gendarmes de la Garde , Gendarmes de la Reine, Horse Grenadiers

Musketeers de la Garde , Cuirassiers Berry, Cuirassiers Orleans

Cuirassiers Orleans, Cuirassiers Montgomery, Cuirassiers Conti

Cuirassiers Villeroy, Dragoons de Flamaren, Dragoons La Ferronayes

Dragoons Apehon , Hussars Verselles

More French troops

French Allied Brigade of Swiss and Irish

French Infantry Brigade with two German units

French Hussards with town's ladies looking on

French Heavy Cavalry, two Gendarmes, Horse Grenadiers and Guard Musketeers

French Dragoon Brigade

French Heavy Cavalry Brigade, four Cuirassiers

Reich Duke Wilhelm monitors potential French adversaries

French Brigade with a Spanish and Dutch unit attached

French Brigade with Grenadiers and French and Swiss Guards

French Brigade with Allied Brigade in background

French Brigade crossing a bridge near Riech Duchy of Beerstein

Another view of the bridge crossing (out of focus)

French Guard Horse Musketeers

Prussian forces operating near Beerstein

PRUSSIANS

Prinz Pressen Cuirassiers, Normann Dragoons, Guard du Corps
Syburg Cuirassiers, Krochow Dragoons, Kliest Hussars
Brandenburg Cuirassiers, Bayreuth Dragoons, Wartenben Hussars
Von Schonaich Cuirassiers, Katte Dragoons, Wechmar Hussars
Gessler Cuirassiers, Platen Dragoons, Billerbeck Hussars

Alt Anhalt Musketeers, Guard Infantry, Munchow Fusiliers
Winterfeldt Musketeers, Petersdorff Grenadiers, Dohna Fusiliers
Kalnen Musketeers, Kremzow Grenadiers, Weid Fusiliers
Kanitz Musketeers, Carlowitz Grenadiers, Kursell Fusiliers
Amtell Musketeers, Rath Grenadiers, Roeder' Garrison
Alt Bevern Musketeers, Noble Jaegers, Luck's Garrison
Retzow Musketeers, Pannwitz Musketeers

Battery von Kalsow, Battery von Wied, Battery von Brandes
Battery von Dossow, Battery von Rohr

HESSIANS

Bartheld Fussialiers, Stirn Grenadiers, Battery von Donhoff
Furstenberg Musketeers, Erbprinz Cuirassiers, Battery von Link
Hannau Musketeers, Lieb Dragoons,
Malsburg Musketeers, Wolff Hussars

BRUNSWICK

Leib Musketeers, Leib Grenadier Guard, Battery von Rothenburg
Behr Musketeers, Frederick's Karabiners, Battery von Wittorf
Imhoff Musketeers, Zastrow Dragoons
Fusiliers von Volschen, Hussaren Volontaries

Beerstein "Beer and Pretzel" Rules

Please note the two charts did not space correctly. Center each column under its heading.

Movement: Roll for each unit, one six sided die determines movement in paces.

Die Roll Infantry Artillery Heavy Cavalry Light Cavalry
1 0 0 0 0
2 200 200 300 400
3 300 300 400 500
4 300 300 500 600
5 400 400 600 700
6 400 400 600 800

About face takes ½ movement.
Wheel measure distance from outer side; cannot wheel into an attack.
Artillery: Full move and unlimber
No movement can fire
Limber and move ½ rate.

FIRE: Artillery then musketry

Hit Table Close Range Middle Range Long Range
Artillery 0 to 400 paces 400 to 1200 paces 1200 to 1600 paces
Artillery hits on 4-6 hits on 5-6 hits on 6
Musketry 100 paces N/A 200 paces
Musketry hits on 5-6 N/A hits on 6

Side which has initiative fires first, casualties taken, then defender fires.
Infantry can fire and move, move then fire, but cannot fire then attack.
Targets in woods, buildings, cover or artillery take a saving roll; saves on 1-3.

COMBAT:
Frontal Attack Roll one 6 sided dice per unit morale number; casualties on 6’s.
Flanking Unit Causes Temporary -1 to defender’s current unit morale number.
Flanking Attack Unit Flank attacking unit hits on 5 or 6.

Leaders have a command radius of 100 paces per each original unit in his command.
Attached leaders add 1 dice for firing and 2 dice for combat.
Attached leaders must make a casualty test if unit takes casualties; 1 he is killed, 2 he is wounded.

If combat results in an equal number of casualties; the units remain locked in combat.
Loser of combat withdrawals 400 paces, infantry winner can remain occupy the loser’s position.
Winning cavalry can either advance or withdraw up to 400 paces, but cannot engage again.

Artillery, light infantry or light cavalry can evade attacking unit by rolling their unit number or less.
If unit number falls to 2 or less, it can no longer attack.
Sauvé qui peut = Voluntary withdrawal anytime before normal movement.
Impacts: Permanent loss of one unit number.
May withdraw facing enemy; 600 paces for infantry and artillery, 800 paces for heavy cavalry, and 1200 paces for light cavalry.

Recovery occurs at the end of each turn.
Each unit must be at least 300 paces from any enemy to try.
Recover one moral point with a roll of 1-3.

Unit morale starts at 5 for trained troops, 6 for veteran troops, 7 for elite troops, and 8 for guards.