Monday, January 28, 2013

The Battle on the Piave: May 8, 1809

    Barry and I have arrangements to get together for a game next Sunday; I had considered doing an 1813 game, but Lutzen seemed too big for two players, and I didn't have time to develop a scenario for the Katzbach; maybe next time. So, I've decided to run one of the more unusual scenarios from my 1809 scenario book, Prince Eugene's Battle on the Piave. This battle was one of the first few games I played using the original Piquet: Les Grognards by Bob Jones back in 1998; it will be interesting to see how it goes with Brent Oman's Piquet: Field of Battle (2nd edition). Presumbaly Barry, being highly Francophobic, will take the role of Ezherzog Joghann, while I play the dashing Viceroy Eugene. (Cheer up Barry, the next game will definitely be an 1813 scenario!)


The Battle on the Piave


Table Size: 6 x 9 feet
Troop Scale: 1 Infantry unit = 1000 men, 1 Cavalry unit = 600 men, 1 Artillery = 8 - 12 guns.

Background: Prince Eugene and his Army of Italy have returned to the offensive after an initial defeat at the opening of the campaign at Sacile. The defeat of the Austrian Hauptarmee has necessitated the gradual withdrawal of the Austrian army of Erzherzog Johann. Eugene's army is attempting to cross the shallow but broad river Piave. The Austrians have burned all the bridges, but there are still three fords which can be used to cross the river. However, each day the melting of snow in the Alps makes the river rise progressively as the day goes on, sometimes dramatically so! The Austrian surveillance was very lax, and the initial crossing got under way with many men crossing naked, holding their clothes and muskets over their heads, and then dressing on the far bank. It was a bold but inherently risky move, but Eugene was eager to redeem himself in the eyes of his Imperial father in law!

Map: the River Piave is unfordable except at the three marked fords 4” wide, which are Class II terrain; the river may be crossed in Attack or March Column formations (also special scenario rules for the rising waters). The Piavisella stream is Class II, as is the dike. The villages are Class II terrain.




Scenario Rules: Add two Sapper Task cards to the French Sequence Deck (Use blank cards or some other non standard card). There is no impetus cost to turn this card, but upon its appearance, the French C-In C rolls his LD against the Austrian C-in-C's LD in the same fashion as for a Lull. If the French roll is higher, then a section of bridge has been completed at Priula; if and when three sections are completed, then the bridge is ready for use by all arms.

Rising Waters: The battle begins at 8AM. Starting with the 4th French MOVE card, the Austrian player rolls a D12. If the score is less than the number of French MOVE cards turned to date, then the water has risen to the point where the river is no longer fordable; however bridging operations may continue, and thereafter, on each Sapper task Card one unit may cross each of the existing fords by boats. Continue to roll an Austrian D12 on each subsequent appearance of French MOVE cards; if the score exceeds the number of French MOVE cards turned thus far, then bridging operations must cease, but Ferrying on Sapper Task cards as above may continue. Continue the Austrian D12 roll for subsequent French MOVE cards, and if the score is once again less than the number of French MOVE cards turned thus far, then the current has become too swift, and even these ferrying operations must cease.

Deployment: As shown on the map (the artillery of Broussier's and Lamarque's divisions are deployed in a battery along the river to their left). However, only the Austrian Rearguard may act on the first Austrian MOVE card.


Reinforcements: Waiting behind the Priula Ford (middle ford) are the troops of Baraguey's Corps, which may enter at any time, and similarly the remaining troops of Grenier's Corps my enter behind the San Nichiol Ford (on the French right) at any time.

Victory Conditions: If the Austrian Army breaks from Army Morale, the French win a Major Victory – Decisive if more than 1/3 of the Austrian units are routed or destroyed. If the French break from Army Morale, the Austrians win a Decisive Victory. If the Austrians end the battle with more Morale Points than the French, they win a Major Victory if the French are at zero Morale Points, otherwise Minor. If he French end the battle with more Morale Points than the Austrians, they win a Minor Victory if the Austrians are at zero Morale Points, otherwise battle is a draw. The game will end after the 9th French MOVE card, if not before (5PM).


Orders of Battle: 


Army of Inner Austria, Erzherzog Johann Abysmal
23 Infantry, 5 Cavalry, 6 Artillery * Army Morale Points:


Rear guard, FML Frimont Poor

1st Brigade, GM von Splenyi Average
1/IR #52,EH Franz Karl Regular 
2/IR #52 EH Franz Karl Regular
1/Grenz #3 Ogulin Raw 
2/Grenz #3 Ogulin Raw

Cavalry Brigade, Oberst Anon Abysmal
Hussar Regt #2 EH Joseph Crack
Hussar Regt #9 Frimont Crack

6# Cavalry Battery Regular
6# Cavalry Battery Regular


VIII Korps, FML Albert Gyulai Poor

1st Brigade, GM Colloredo Abysmal
IR #27 Strassaldo Regular 
1/IR #61 St. Julien (Hungarian) Regular 
2/IR #61 St. Julien (Hungarian) Regular
3# Foot Battery Regular 

2nd Brigade, Gm von Gajoli Poor
IR #62 Franz Jellacic (Hungarian) Regular 
1/Grenz Regt #10 1st Banal Raw 
2/Grenz Regt #10 1st Banal Raw 
Hussar Regt #5 Ott Crack 


IX Korps, FML Ignaz Gyulai Poor

1st Brigade, GM Kalnassy Abysmal
1/IR #13 Reisky Regular 
2/IR #13 Reisky Regular 
1/IR #43 Simbschen Regular 
2/IR #43 Simbschen Regular 
3# Foot Battery Regular 

2nd Brigade, GM Marziani Poor
1/ IR #19 Alvintzi (Hungarian) Regular
2/ IR #19 Alvintzi (Hungarian) Regular
4th Inner Austrian Volunteers Raw 
3# Foot Battery Regular

3rd Brigade, GM Gavisini Abysmal
1/Grenz #2 Ottocac Raw 
2/Grenz #2 Ottocac Raw 

4th Brigade, GM Kleinmayrn Poor
1/Grenz #4 Szulin Raw 
2/Grenz #4 Szulin Raw
1st Grenadiers Elite 
2nd Grenadiers Elite 

Dragoon Brigade, FML Wolfskeel Poor; LD , CR
Dragoon Regt #2 Hohenlohe Crack 
Dragoon Regt #5 Savoy Crack 
6 # Cavalry Battery Regular



Army of Italy, Viceroy Eugene de Beauharnais Average
Sequence Deck: (note that it is very unlikely all the troops will be able to cross)
43 Infantry, 14 Cavalry, 6 Artillery * Army Morale Points:

Advance Guard, GB Dessaix Excellent
1st Combined Voltigeurs Crack 
2nd Combined Voltigeurs Crack 
3rd Combined Voltigeurs Crack 
4th Combined Voltigeurs Crack 
9th Chasseurs a Cheval Regular 
4# Horse Battery Crack 


Ad Hoc Corps A, GD MacDonald Skilled

1st Division, GD Broussier Skilled
1/9e Ligne Regular
4/11e Ligne Regular
1/84e Ligne Regular
2/84e Ligne Regular
1/92e Ligne Regular 
2/92e Ligne Regular 
6# Foot Battery Regular

2nd Division, GD Lamarque Average
1/18e Leger Crack
1/13e Ligne Regular 
2/13e Ligne Regular
1/23e Ligne Regular
1/29e Ligne Regular 
2/29e Ligne Regular
6# Foot Battery Regular 


Ad hoc Corps B, GD Baraguey d'Hilliers Skilled

Italian Division, GD Fontanelli Average
1st Italian Line Regular 
2nd Italian Line Regular 
3rd Italian Line Regular 
7th Italian Line Regular
Dalmatian Regimental Regular
1/112e Ligne Regular 
2/112e Ligne Regular 
Italian 6# Battery Regular 

Italian Royal Guard, GB Lecchi Average
Guard Dragoons/Honor Guards Crack 
Velites of the Guard Crack 
Grenadiers of the Guard Elite 


Ad hoc Corps C, GD Grenier Skilled

1st Division, GB Abbe Skilled
3/8e Leger Crack 
1/1er Ligne Regular 
2/1er Ligne Regular 
1/52e Ligne Regular 
2/52e Ligne Regular 
1/102e Ligne Regular 
2/102e Ligne Regular 
Italian Dragoons “Napoleon” Regular
6# Foot Battery Regular 

2nd Division, GD Durutte Skilled
4/22e Leger Crack 
1/23e Leger Crack 
2/23e Leger Crack 
3/60e Ligne Regular 
1/62e Ligne Regular 
2/62e Ligne Regular 
6# Foot Battery Regular 

Light Cavalry Division, GD Sahuc Skilled
6e Hussars Crack 
6e Chasseurs a Cheval Regular 
8e Chasseurs a Cheval Regular 
25e Chasseurs a Cheval Regular 

1st Dragoon Division, GD Grouchy Excellent
7e Dragoons Regular 
30e Dragoons Regular 
Italian Dragoons, “Queen's” Regular 

2nd Dragoon Division, GD Pully Skilled
23e Dragoons Regular 
28e Dragoons Regular 
29e Dragoons Regular


Army Reserve

Infantry Division, GD Seras Average
1/53e Ligne Regular
2/53e Ligne Regular 
3/79e Ligne Regular 
1/106e Ligne Regular 
2/106e Ligne Regular
6# Foot Battery Regular 

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This scenario makes good use of the flexibility of the Piquet/Filed of Battle system, I think. It is based upon the accounts and OOB in Gill's Thunder on the Danube and also Epstein's Prince Eugene at War:1809.  It is said that a rising tide carries all boats with it - we will see if this is the case on the Piave this time!

Peter

18 comments:

  1. I am watching your activities with keen interst as I am raising armies for this campaign myself.

    It seems a nicely neglected and intersting backwater of the Napoleonic period.

    Not a bad spot for a holiday either, though it needs a little more selling for the wife.

    Thanks for taking the effort to write all this up for us, looking forward to seeing the game itself.

    John

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    Replies
    1. The 1809 campaign away from the Danube theater is actually quite interesting, and Gill's Trilogy made it possible for me to have a large number of scenarios from it in the scenario book.

      I should think that Northern Italy, the Tyrol and/or Croatia would need very little selling indeed... stop off at Venice along the way! Yet to visit them myself aside from a teeny corner of the Italian alps for whopping four hours on tour with the Band back in 1974!

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  2. The region is near Tuscany, tell your wife it's a day trip. ;-)

    Peter, looks good, Barry should be suitably frustrated as he will likely get one move segment per card, if he's lucky and you don't win all the 'lull' cards.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The scenario is tough for the Austrians unless they get lucky; hence the victory conditions. I'm more than willing to play the White Menace instead of Eugene's boys!

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  3. Looking forward to hearing about this one

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    Replies
    1. A lot will depend upon the early Austrian impetus and moves, and how successful they are, along with aforesaid river conditions!

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  4. Ah yes, back to commanding the white menace. I’m looking forward to the challenge.

    And now let’s all sing the ‘White Menace’ song as Jefferson Airplane meant it to be sung (to the tune of White Rabbit).

    One dice makes you larger
    And one dice makes you small
    And the dice that Peter provides
    don’t roll anything but ones at all
    Go tell Eugene when he’s 10 feet tall

    And if you go chasing Grenz
    And you know you’re going to fall
    Tell ‘em a hookah smoking Frenchman
    Told you to call,
    Call Eugene
    When he was small

    When the lead men on the table
    Get up and tell you where to move
    And you’ve just had some kind of croissant
    And your mind is moving low
    Go ask Eugene
    I think he’ll know

    I know there’s another verse, but I’m out of wine which means I’m out of lyrics. I probably shouldn't drink and post.

    Peter, I’m looking forward to it. I’ll be there, (with my own set of dice) ☺

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ah yes, back to commanding the white menace. I’m looking forward to the challenge.

    And now let’s all sing the ‘White Menace’ song as Jefferson Airplane meant it to be sung (to the tune of White Rabbit).

    One dice makes you larger
    And one dice makes you small
    And the dice that Peter provides
    don’t roll anything but ones at all
    Go tell Eugene when he’s 10 feet tall

    And if you go chasing Grenz
    And you know you’re going to fall
    Tell ‘em a hookah smoking Frenchman
    Told you to call,
    Call Eugene
    When he was small

    When the lead men on the table
    Get up and tell you where to move
    And you’ve just had some kind of croissant
    And your mind is moving low
    Go ask Eugene
    I think he’ll know

    I know there’s another verse, but I’m out of wine which means I’m out of lyrics. I probably shouldn't drink and post.

    Peter, I’m looking forward to it. I’ll be there, (with my own set of dice) ☺

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good one, Barry (who is evidently seeing double from the vino!). I'll have to see what wine we have on hand for the game - maybe it will make the Austrians look double, too.

      PS - Jan (aka "The Empress") will only play Backgammon, etc with me when I've had some moderate alcohol intake to dull my judgement, LOL!

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  6. Looking forward to reading the AAR. I have your scenario book but haven't had an opportunity to play FOB in quite awhile.

    I have a question about the OOB. The description says each unit represents 1,000 men. I get this for the Austrian battalions, but what about the French? Are they supposed to represent battalions (in which case 1,000 seems too big) or regiments?

    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't worry too much about the strengths of the individual units - FoB uses and works best with standard sized units, all of 4 stands (for infantry/cavalry).

      . So, in this case, each Infantry unit corresponds to 1,00 men present that day. The units listed were all there that day, but some others that aren't listed might be rolled into to other listed units. In a few cases, the large Austrian Infantry regiments might rarely have an "added" battalion to make the numbers add up right. The overall proportion of the unit types is preserved, and as much as possible, within the appropriate commands.

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  7. The units are actually for regiments in both cases.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. But doesn't the designation, for example "1/3eme Ligne" mean first battalion, third regiment line infantry?

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    2. see the above; Joe was trying to give his best take on the subject.

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  8. This should be a fun game. I've gamed this once, years ago and it was barely a French victory.
    Barry's song is great; what are the verses for Eckmuhl?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Looking to it myself - will start on the setup late tonight... Eggmuhl lyrics hmmm, probably need a new song to build a parody on. Maybe "Nights in White Satin"?

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  9. Beautiful looking troops and game Peter and really interesting read!
    Cheers
    Paul

    ReplyDelete