image/svg+xml Welcome to the map of KöniggrätzThe aim of this short pesentation is to show howtopographical features were represented on themid-19th century military maps used in the Kriegs-spiel. This is a reproduction of a part of what is possibly the only surviving contemporary example for such a map. It depicts the battlefield of the Battle at Königgrätz.The map has been preserved by the British Library(catalouge no. BLL01004805936) that kindly gavepermission to use it here. Steffen Pielström & Jorit Wintjes2019 Contour linesOne of the most visible features of the 19th century map is theunique way it depicts landscape contours with lines running down slopes. Additionally there are contour lines as in modernmaps.The heights are measured in feet, even though marching and shooting distances were still measured in paces in 1866. Open terrainHere, we see an area of open, hilly terrain without major ob-stacles. The area is dominated by a ridge of three hills running from south east to north west. WoodlandAs in some modern maps, woodland areas are marked with tiny tree symbols. Units can not see through forests. This terrain can be passed by artillery (and other assets moving on wheels) only on roads. Cavalry can move through woodland only at reduced speed and without formation, it cannot charge the enemy in this terrain.It is therefore the safest place for infantry in open order. BogBoggy low ground is colorized in light green. Here movement byartillery and cavalry is restricted as in woodland, but the vege-tation is not suffciently thick to provide cover from fire. ShrubsShrubby areas are colorized in brown like woodland, indicatingthat they are also an obstacle to the line of sight and restrictmovement for artillery and cavalry to a similar extent. Villages and townsBuildings and the structures surrounding them, like fences andlow walls provide the best protection to the infantry aside fromdedicated fortification structures. Stone buildings are depictedin red, wooden buildings in black. forward back slide overview
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  1. Start
  2. Welcome
  3. Contours
  4. Open terrain
  5. Woodland
  6. Shrubs
  7. Bog
  8. Town