Spring 1809 Napoleonic action Part two

Mid-way thru the battle and the French are in attack position. At that moment, disaster struck. A 3lb Grenz battery rolled a 12 on 2d6, the result of which was the immediate death of the leading French brigade, GdB Leisure. The following turn, three French brigades (including Colbert's cavalry, became Hesitant. At least Leisure's brigade rallied from Falter. This proved to considerably slow the French advance down. Coehorn's brigade continued to push on the Austrian right, forcing one Austrian unit to Retreat, and then suffering the same fate from an Austrian counterattack. French columns were snaking around the woods to the right as well. Still, French casualties were moderately heavy on this flank. On the Austrian left flank, the O'Reilly Chevaulegers took advantage of the French heaitation and promptly attacked, routing a unit of Hussars and throwing the French cavalry into Falter. Finally, by the beginning of Turn 8, French infantry was advancing to the attack onto the center town. The defenders belched musketry from the buildings in defiance of the approaching columns. Unfortunately though, Colbert's cavalry brigade fell back in Sauve qui Peut! This was an inopportune time to open up the French right flank.

At this point, French columns attacked the left-hand town sector, suffering severe musket fire. In the ensuing melee, the French infantry was forced back in Disorder.

On the Austrian right flank, the Tirailleurs du Po continued to engage Austrian skirmishers in the woods, while French columns maneuvered to envelope the flank, and was promptly met by supporting Austrian infantry. French casualties in this sector were beginning to add up. Meanwhile, Colbert successfully rallied the French cavalry and threw them back into action against the confident Hapsburg horse.

By this time, GdB Ficatier's brigade swung into action, attacking the right sector of the village, but suffering the same fate as the previous attack. Although worn down, the beleagured Austrians held onto the town, denying the French access to the crossroads. On the Austrian left, the Grenzers and cavalry advanced, with the Chevaulegers trouncing the French Hussars, throwing Colbert's brigade into Demoralization. On Turn 10, with attacks against the village failing, and the French right vulnerable, the decision was made to retire from the field. The battle was an Austrian victory ! Approximate casualties were 1,300 French to 400 Austrians. General de Division Claparede had indeed suffered a bloody nose !

Spring 1809 Napoleonic action, Part one

I decided to run a small rearguard action based on the aftermath of the battle of Abensberg (April 1809). I chose Jellacic's division to defend a crossroads against General de Division Claparede's division with some attached cavalry. The premise was simple; the outnumbered Austrians had to hold their position for 13 turns (nightfall). The rules used were the excellent General d'Armee rules by David Brown, but with modified ADC rules. FML Jellacic's force consisted of one line infantry brigade made up of 6 battalions and an advanced guard brigade that included two large Grenz battalions and the famed O'Reilly Chevaulegers. Jellacic also had 12 guns split into a battery per brigade. Claparede's force consisted of GdB Colbert's cavalry brigade (minus the elite 7th Chasseurs), two brigades of line infantry (4th battalions, so graded as Reservists), and one light brigade made up of 4 battalions of legere infantry but included the famous Tirailleurs du Po and Tirailleurs Corses. The Austrian commander decided to deploy the Grenz infantry in and around a large wood that covered the Austrian left flank. The Chevaulegers were positioned as reserve elements behind the woods and the center town. The line battalions were garrisoned into both zones of the town at the crossroads as well as the right flank. Third-rank skirmishers were placed in the woods on the right flank, but supported from the rear. GdD Clapatede's leading light brigade was deployed along the main road leading to the village, while Colbert's cavalry supported the right flank of the marching infantry. The other two infantry brigades were to march onto the table. The French only had 13 turns to capture the crossroads, so they had to move fast.

Austrian infantry deployed to the right of the town.

The leading French brigades march onto the field.

Colbert's hussars and Chasseurs support the French right. Quickly, the French skirmishers of GdB Coehorn's light brigade engaged the Austrian right flank, with both sides suffering minor losses. Two French brigades used the "forwards" ADC tasking to quickly maneuver into position to attack the center town. French cavalry moved slowly forward on the right flank, attempting to evade the Grenz sharpshooters in the woods. The O'Reilly Chevaulegers, seeing the French threat on their leftflank, began to maneuver around for an obvious showdown with the French cavalry.

French infantry begins to mass. On the Austrian right, French skirmishers suffer moderate casualties, primarily caused by the 6-pounder battery that the position was anchored on, the guns spewing forth cannister at a deadly rate. A Grenz 3-pound battery did get off a lucky shot (rolled a natural 12), dramatically killing GdB Lesuire, throwing his brigade into a Falter situation. It was now at the half-way point. The sun was beginning to drop, the French brigades were now in attacking position. En avant !