Now that the year 1756 has ended I think it's time for a brief overview of the situation.
Bohemian front
My armies on the field:
Austrian army: 63,662 men, 31,301 horses and 422 cannons
Saxon army: 23,628 men, 9745 horses and 108 cannons
Combined that would make 87,290 men, 41,046 horses and 530 cannons. I don't know the exact amount of Prussian forces but I presume it's around 70,000 men. Without the Saxon army I would have been outnumbered but now I have the numbers. Managing to save them was a huge stroke of luck which will, if played right, definitely help me stop the advance of the Prussians.
The plan for the spring is an obvious one: to combine my forces and beat the Prussians on the field. I have two choices: either attack Frederick at once when the snow melts or wait for them to make their move and try to engage them in a defensive battle. That means I'd have to anticipate where the hammer falls. Attacking would be most satisfying but I'm a bit on the fence there. I know I have the numbers but will that be enough? Hardest part is to anticipate where he will advance. Well, Vienna will be his ultimate objective of course. However, Raptor1 knows I have more troops than he has which will definitely affect his plans.
Other possibility is to wait for two months when I get Hungarian and Croatian forces at my disposal totaling around 45,000 men of which 20,000 are cavalry while Austrian and Saxon forces just stall the Prussian advance if not stop them. After that I could perhaps even try to attempt surrounding Frederick's army. But I'd imagine that is a bit too far-fetched idea. Besides, I have played with Raptor1 enough to know that I, in any circumstances, wouldn't succeed in such attempt. And Raptor1 knows that I will eventually get tons of reinforcements, he just doesn't know the time-frame or the amounts.
France
In two to three months the French Armée Française of over 72,500 men under Louis d'Estrees will join the war. They will advance into Hanover and threaten Prussia from the west.
Sweden
Somewhat inept Gustav Hamilton's Swedish Pomeranian Force will be active in five months and they shall attack south through Pomerania. I'm not expecting much from these fellas but at least they will tie up some of the Prussian forces with their 8000 men.
Russians
I'm not yet sure when the Russian forces will be available (they will declare war in January however) but I do know that they will be a force to be reckoned with. Given that I this time manage not to starve them before they enter the fray. Eventually they will advance through East Prussia.
In time Prussia has to deal with four powers from four directions. Sweden in the north, Russia in the east, Austria in the south and France in the west. That should be enough to put Frederick on his knees...
The master plan for the year 1757
