1809 Napoleonics

On Saturday January 28th we played a Napoleonic game set during the battle at Sacile in 1809. Here are the set up details...

From Palse to Porcia

16 April 1809

As part of his push northward, Prince Eugene wished to drive the Austrians under Archduke John away from the area of Sacile to secure Venetia and provide an unmolested link between the Kingdom of Italy and its Dalmatian provinces. Eugene knew that the Austrians were at Sacile since their advance guard had heavily defeated his rear guard the previous day. Lacking any of the Marshals (an interesting situation of Eugene’s own making) to command Corps within his Army of Italy, Eugene instead created “Wings” or “Columns” instead. These formations were Corps in all but name and were led by his most capable Divisional commanders.

Seras was placed in command of an assault formation consisting of his division and that of Severoli with the order to seize the village of Porcia in order for Eugene to smash the Austrians. Eugene’s fault was in thinking that he outnumbered the Austrian army when, in truth, he was attacking a numerically superior foe. Seras smashed ahead and quickly took possession of Palse. After quickly reorganizing his units, Seras then pushed ahead towards Porcia.  His force was then hit by the strong Austrian VIII Korps. As the fighting raged around Porcia, other French Divisions and Austrian Korps attempted to add their weight to the fight by attempting to hit the flanks of the troops engaged at Porcia.

Our scenario concentrates on the fighting between a portion of Seras’ French/Italian Division and Gyulai’s Austrian VIII Korps. In an attempt to make the engagement playable, the number of units involved and some unit strengths have been factored down to achieve something manageable.

Our scenario takes place after Seras has ousted Frimont from Palse and has begun an advance on Porcia. At this moment Gyulai’s VIII Korps also enters Porcia. Both sides wish to control this village as it will provide the stepping-stone for further attacks on the enemy’s flanks. This humble little village will be the center of an epic struggle.

The battle will take place in the open ground between the villages of Porcia and Palse. It is an agricultural area studded with small woods, brushy areas, fenced in fields, and fairly flat terrain. A few hedge lines have been put on our table to represent some of the fence lines and brushy patches.

Objectives:

French – Occupy the village of Porcia behind Austrian lines.

Austrians – Occupy the village of Palse behind French lines.

Sacile 1809

VIII Armeekorps

 Feldmarschall-Leutnant Albert Gyulai

1 x AdC

Corps Artillery: Major Johann von Fasching 12-pound position battery (6 guns) 3 Sections  LINE 3-pound brigade battery (8 guns)  4 Sections  LINE

Brigade: General-Major Hieronymus Karl Graf von Colloredo-Mansfeld Strassoldo Infantry Regiment Nr. 27 (2 battalions)  2x 24 figures each  VETERAN Saint-Julien Infantry Regiment Nr. 61 (2 battalions)  2x 24 figures each  LINE

Brigade: General-Major Anton Gajoli Franz Jellacic Infantry Regiment Nr. 62 (2 battalions)  2x 24 figures each  LINE Johann Jellacic Infantry Regiment Nr. 53 (2 battalions)  2x 24 figures each  LINE 2nd Banal Grenz Infantry Regiment Nr. 11 (1 battalion)  1x 24 to 32 figures  VETERAN Banal Grenz Artillery 3-pound brigade battery (4 guns)  2 Sections  LINE+2nd Class Firers

Brigade: Oberst Wilhelm von Fulda  Ott Hussar Regiment Nr. 5  1x 12 to 16 figures  LINE Hohenzollern Chevau-leger Regiment Nr.2  1x 12 figures  LINE

1.     Commanders - Any commanders who lack a quality rating will roll on the command ability table during set up: 1 Poor, 2-5 Average, 6 Excellent

2.     Brigade Tests – ANY brigade that fails a brigade test will trigger a brigade test to any brigade that has a unit within 18” of any units in the failed brigade. It is possible for two failed brigades to cause each other to take multiple tests. A brigade forced off the table edge is removed from play.

3.     Half Strength Brigades – Brigades that suffer 50%+ casualties must make a Brigade Test EVERY TURN.

4.     Artillery - ALL artillery batteries are classed as FOOT batteries.

5.     Open Order - Veteran troops may form Grande Bandes

6.     Woods - All woods are light woods and are classed as DIFFICULT and offer COVER -2 against firing. Woods visibility is 6”. I think 6” is too much, any thoughts on this? Woods block line of sight.

7.     Hedges - The hedge lines/fence lines are -1 cover. Hedge lines DO NOT block line of sight. Any unit may move over a hedge line by paying a 2” movement penalty. Artillery must be limbered to cross a hedge line. Cavalry may not charge across a hedge line. The pretty lichen scattered around the edges of the woods are NOT counted as hedges.

8.     Towns – The villages of Palse and Porcia are shown on the table edges only as decoration and may be removed if they hinder play. They offer NO cover as the two villages are actually located just off the board edge.

Army of Italy

Right Wing

1st Division: General of Division Jean Mathieu Seras EXCELLENT

2x AdC

1st Brigade: General of Brigade Louis Gareau 35th Line Infantry Regiment (4 battalions)   4x 24 figures each VETERAN 53rd Line Infantry Regiment (4 battalions)  4x 24 figures each  LINE

2nd Brigade: General of Brigade Jean-Claude Roussel 106th Line Infantry Regiment (4 battalions)  4x 24 figures each  LINE

Divisional Artillery: Chef d'Escadron Battiston Foot battery (four 8-pound cannons, two 6-inch howitzers)  3 Sections  VETERAN Foot battery (four 4-pound cannons, two 6-inch howitzers)  3 Sections  VETERAN

Portion of 1st Italian Division

General of Division Philippe Eustache Louis Severoli (NOT PRESENT)

2nd Italian Brigade: General of Brigade Luigi Peyri 7th Italian Line Infantry Regiment (2,100 in 3 battalions) 3x 24 figures each  LINE Foot battery (four 4-pound cannons)  2 Sections  VETERAN

Italian Cavalry Brigade: General of Brigade Antoine Pages Italian Chasseurs à Cheval Regiment 1 x 16 figures  LINE

1.     Commanders - Any commanders who lack a quality rating will roll on the command ability table during set up: 1 Poor, 2-5 Average, 6 Excellent

2.     Brigade Tests – ANY brigade that fails a brigade test will trigger a brigade test to any brigade that has a unit within 18” of any units in the failed brigade. It is possible for two failed brigades to cause each other to take multiple tests. A brigade forced off the table edge is removed from play.

3.     Half Strength Brigades – Brigades that suffer 50%+ casualties must make a Brigade Test EVERY TURN.

4.     Artillery - ALL artillery batteries are classed as FOOT batteries.

5.     Open Order - Veteran troops may form Grande Bandes

6.     Woods - All woods are light woods and are classed as DIFFICULT and offer COVER -2 against firing. Woods visibility is 6”. I think 6” is too much, any thoughts on this? Woods block line of sight.

7.     Hedges - The hedge lines/fence lines are -1 cover. Hedge lines DO NOT block line of sight. Any unit may move over a hedge line by paying a 2” movement penalty. Artillery must be limbered to cross a hedge line. Cavalry may not charge across a hedge line.

8.     Towns – The villages of Palse and Porcia are shown on the table edges only as decoration and may be removed if they hinder play. They offer NO cover as the two villages are actually located just off the board edge.

General Map and course of events

Saalfeld Report

Jeff, Mike, and Carl led the allied contingent while Eddie, Gary, and I commanded the French. Carl commanded the Saxon infantry of von Bevilaqua, Jeff had Schimmelpfennig's and part of von Pelot's brigade, while Mike had von Trutzschler's brigade and a new brigade (dubbed von Von's brigade because we are all so clever) created from a part of von Pelot's infantry using the lone AdC. Gary had Claparede's Legere, Eddie directed Vedel's infantry brigade, while I led Reille's infantry and Trelliard's cavalry.

The battle opened with a general advance by the French. The Prussian left wing moved forward and the large amount of cavalry operating in the area compelled Vedel's Brigade to form squares. The Prussians under von Pelot began to hammer away at Vedel's Frenchmen with artillery and musketry. Trelliard's cavalry slowly walked to the right to offer Vedel support and to threaten von Von's troops to the front of Saalfeld. Meanwhile, Reille's infantry plunged straight ahead and tried to drive a wedge between the cavalry of von Trutzschler and Bevilaqua's Saxons. The Saxons poured heavy fire into Reille's columns and the attack began to stall as units suffered heavy losses (lots of FALTER results in morale tests). GdB Reille took personal command of the first battalion of the 34th Infantry and charged into the Saxon infantry that was deploying from the right of Walsdorf to the area to the left of Walsdorf. After finding good luck in two successive melee's, Reille's Frenchmen had managed to rout 2 Saxon infantry battalions which caused the Bevilaqua's brigade to retreat to the rear of Walsdorf (failed BRIGADE TEST).

With Bevilaqua's retreat the French brigades of Claparede and Reille advanced and consolidated positions in Walsdorf. On the French right, Vedel's troops steadily suffered musketry and artillery fire from von Pelot's Prussians until it was forced back (failed BRIGADE TEST). As this was happening Trelliard moved up closer to support Vedel in the area of Garnsdorf. Soon a separation appeared in the allied lines between von Pelot and von Von. This where Trelliard struck. The 21st Chasseurs hit von Von's line of infantry while the 9th Hussars hit von Pelot's infantry. In each case the cavalry won the melee but rolled about as low as possible and still win. The 9th Hussars hurried back to the French lines due to a Pursuit Test roll while the Chasseurs retained formation and control. Right away the Chasseurs charged again and eliminated one of von Von's infantry units. Again the Chasseurs had a great Pursuit Test roll and continued to maintain formation and control.

While Trelliard was smashing into the center of the Prussian lines Vedel got his units organized and moving. Schimmelpfennig launched his cavalry into Vedel's infantry to forestall their advance toward Saalfeld. Luckily for Vedel, his units managed to form squares before the Prussian cavalrymen were able to close. When the dust settled the carnage became apparent. The battered French squares were lined with fallen cavalrymen. Schimmelpfennig's horsemen had suffered heavily but had succeeded in stopping Vedel. This left von Pelot's weakened infantry brigade to hold off the numerically superior Vedel. The Prussian left wing would be compelled to give way or be destroyed. The Saxons under Bevilaqua had reorganized themselves behind Walsdorf and it was clear that the Prussian right wing was safe. This left events in the center to determine the battle.

The Chasseurs, led personally by Trelliard, charged into von Trutzschler's Saxon cavalry as they moved over to support von Von's failing brigade. In a very evenly matched cavalry melee the Saxons were thrown back while the Chasseurs were finally forced back to their own lines to regroup. Around this time, Reille was hit (DOUBLE SIX TABLE) and ran off the field in disgrace - completely stalling any hope of assaulting Bevilaqua's Saxons. Bad luck that...

With casualties mounting from melee, musketry, and cannon fire the last turn of the game saw many important morale tests. Most units were lucky enough to pass but von Von's weak brigade had suffered heavily and was forced to retreat into Saalfeld. With von Pelot's weak infantry brigade and von Trutzschler's Saxon cavalry left to face Vedel, Trelliard, and some of Reille's units the battle was declared a minor French victory.

The French began the game with a numerical advantage and better leadership ratings. Unfortunately, they could not move with enough speed to really put these advantages to good use. The Prussian/Saxon troops gave excellent account of themselves as they repeatedly ripped gaping holes in French units as the hapless Frenchmen drove forward. In the end, the superior numbers began to tell as Prussian units were whittled down but it was something of a battle of attrition instead of finesse and maneuver. While Lannes and his troops did win the fight, there wasn't much to celebrate.

Napoleonic Game:Saalfeld

On Saturday the 14th our group got together for a Napoleonic game based on the battle at Saalfeld in 1806. The scenario was lifted from the fantastic site of the Napoleonic Miniature Wargames Society of Toronto who list loads of scenarios. We modified the scenario to fit our 1:30 ratio unit organizations and adapted distances and troop ratings for General de Brigade.


Here is the scenario information:

Prussian Allied Forces

Generalleutnant Louis-Ferdinand, Prinz von Prussen (AVERAGE)

1 AdC

PRUSSIANS

BRIGADE 1: Generalmajor von Pelet (POOR)

(5 Btn + 1 SK unit + 4 Art)

Valentin Jäger/Masars Jäger Combined (300) 10 figures 2^nd SK  LINE

Fusilier Battalion #13 (Rabenau) : One Battalion (600) 20 figures  LINE

Fusilier Battalion #14 (von Pelet) : One Battalion (600) 20 figures  LINE

Fusilier Battalion #15 (Ruhle) : One Battalion (600) 20 figures  LINE

Infantry Regiment Muffling #49 : Two Battalions (1200) 20 figures each  LINE

Foot Artillery (Reimann) : Battery 4 Sections of 6lb  SECOND  LINE

BRIGADE 2: Generalmajor von Schimmelpfennig von der Oye (AVERAGE)

(2 Cav + 3 Art)

Hussar Regiment #6 : 5 Squadrons 24 figures  LINE

Horse Artillery (Gause) #2 : Battery 3 Sections of 6lb  LINE

SAXONS

BRIGADE 3: Generalmajor von Bevilaqua (Saxon) (POOR)

(6 Btn + 4 Art)

Infantry Regiment #1 (Kurfurst) : 2 Battalions (1200) 20 figures each  LINE

Infantry Regiment #4 (Pz Clemens) : 2 Battalions (1200) 20 figures each  LINE

Infantry Regiment #9 (Pz Xavier) : 2 Battalions (1200) 20 figures each  LINE

Foot Artillery : Battery 4 Sections of 6lb  SECOND LINE

BRIGADE 4: Generalmajor von Trutzschler (Saxon)  (AVERAGE)

(2 Cav + 3 Art)

Hussar Regiment #1 : 5 Sqdns 24 figures  LINE

Horse Artillery (Grossmann) : Battery 3 Sections of 6lb  LINE

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French Forces

Commander V Corps : Maréchal Jean Lannes (EXCELLENT)

2 AdC

1st Infantry Division : Général de Division Louis Gabrial Suchet  (EXCELLENT)

Général de Brigade Michel Marie Claparède

(2 Btn)

17th Légère Regt : Two Battalions (1500) 24 Figures each  ELITE

Général de Brigade Honoré Reille

(6 Btn)

34th Ligne Regt : Three Battalions (3000) 24 Figures each  VETERAN

40th Ligne Regt : Three Battalions (2250) 24 Figures each  VETERAN

Général de Brigade Dominique Honoré Antoine Marie Vedel

(6 Btn)

64th Ligne Regt : Three Battalions (2250) 24 Figures each  VETERAN

88th Ligne Regt : Three Battalions (2250) 24 Figures each  VETERAN

Divisional Artillery

Foot Artillery : Battery (4-8pdr, 2-4pdr & 2-6" How) 4 Sections 8lb  VETERAN

Horse Artillery : Battery (2-6pdr, 2-3pdr & 2-5.3" How) 3 Sections 6lb  ELITE

Cavalry Brigade : Général de Brigade Anne Francois Trelliard

(3 Cav)

9th Hussars : Three Squadrons 12 figures  VETERAN

10th Hussars : Three Squadrons 12 figures  VETERAN

21st Chasseurs à Cheval : Three Squadrons 16 figures  VETERAN

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Historical Situation:

Fought on October 10, 1806, Saalfeld was a small but significant action between Prince Louis Ferdinand with 8,300 men and Maréchal Jean Lannes with 12,800 men. Although he had no direct orders to do so, Louis was trying to prevent the French from taking Hohenlohe's army in the flank.

Lannes pinned Louis and used his superior numbers to outflank him. Louis, though a competent commander, had little practical experience and vastly underestimated the French. Louis, leading a desperate charge, was killed by a marechal-de-logis of the French 10th Hussars that day.

The opening actions of the campaign did nothing to reassure the King of Prussia or share his generals' confidence. "You said that the French cavalry was worthless," he told his advisors after Saalfeld. "Look what their light cavalry has done to us! Imagine what their cuirassiers will do!" At Saalfeld the Prussian and Saxon force lost 1,700 - 1,800 men killed, wounded, or captured. As well, 15 Prussian guns and 18 Saxon guns with ammunition wagons and most of the baggage were taken. French losses were approximately 200 men killed or wounded.

Objectives:

The French are looking for a passage over the Saale River. Capturing a crossing at Romschultz, Graba, or Saalfeld will give them a victory. The Allied army aims to prevent this.

Briefings and Orders of Battle

Generalleutnant Louis-Ferdinand, Prinz von Prussen : Today is Oct. 10, 1806. You are the advance guard of Hohenloe's army which is today moving to consolidate. Fearing that the French might cross the river Saale at Saalfeld, Schwarza, or Blankenburg to take the main army in the flank, or rear, you have moved your command to this area and deployed to fight… if they should appear. Although you could see large camp fires last night, and a captured French soldier has told you that 30,000 French troops are advancing towards you, you don't expect to encounter anymore then an advance guard.

Initial Prussian/Saxon Orders :

Brigades are to be deployed as suggested by the map. Brigades are organized as listed and artillery is attached to the brigades.

·         Generalmajor von Pelet : On HOLD.

·         Generalmajor von Schimmelpfennig von der Oye : On HOLD.

·         Generalmajor von Bevilaqua : On HOLD.

·         Generalmajor von Trutzschler : On SUPPORT. Supporting the right of Bevilaqua's line.

V Corps Commander : Maréchal Jean Lannes : Today is October 10, 1806. You have been ordered to attack Saalfeld and Maréchal Augereau has been ordered to support you. Although Augereau is not close to you, you estimate that the enemy force to your front is no more than 10,000 men. Rather than wait for Augereau’s troops, you have decided to attack with the forces you have at hand. The majority of your force is presently marching from Grafenthal.

Initial French Orders :

·         Général de Brigade Michel Claparède : (ENGAGE) Take Garnsdorf, Beulwitz, and Crosten.

·         Général de Brigade Anne Francois Trelliard : (HOLD) Awaiting orders from Lannes.

·         Général de Brigade Dominique Vedel : (ENGAGE) Drive away Schimmelpfennig and make for Saalfeld.

·         Général de Brigade Honoré Rielle : (ENGAGE) Attack Bevilaqua’s Saxons in support of Cleparede.