Impromptu Games

Seeing that much cavalry on the field at one time was impressive. I kept waiting for the tidal wave to hit, but it never did.

I can play today at the usual time, 14:00 EST, 19:00 GMT. Do we have a campaign scenario to fight today?

Yes, campaign scenario is good to go. A meeting engagement on open flat terrain with Lannes' II Corps choosing to halt his advance and go defensive when approached by elements of Hillier's VI Corps. The fight occurs at the small town of Esslingen on the road midway between Braunau and Lambach.

Strategic Situation:



Tactical Position:



Austrian Order of Battle and Orders:

Situation:

Napoleon has invaded Bavaria and threatens our Western borders. We declared war on France four days ago on the 6th April. Our corps are now advancing west from the region of Linz to engage and halt the enemy's advance.

In front of us is known to be most, if not all, of Lannes II Corps. He is stronger in cavalry, about equal in infantry and weaker in artillery. Our VI Corps is not fully assembled yet as We have Franz Jellacic's Division advancing behind us which should arrive tomorrow but Feldmarschal Hillier has ordered a quick attack to spoil the enemy as he advances and throw him off balance.

Objective:

Secure the town of Esslingen and prevent any further eastward movement of enemy forces.

6. Armeekorps: Feldmarschall Leutnant Johann von Hiller (12977 Inf. 1800 Cav. 80 Guns)

 Division Kottulinsky: Feldmarschall Leutnant Freidrich Kottulinsky (8002 Inf. 20 Guns)
   Brigade Hohenfeld: Generalmajor Otto Hohenfeld (3826 Inf. 7 battalions Avg. Exp. 3.7)
   Brigade Weissenwolf: Generalmajor Nikolaus Weissenwolf (4176 Inf. 7 battalions Avg. Exp. 4.1)
   17. Brigade Batterie: Hauptmann 17. Brigade Batterie (8 Guns Avg. Exp. 3.0)
   13. Position Batterie: Hauptmann 13. Position Batterie (6 Guns Avg. Exp. 4.0)
   14. Position Batterie: Hauptmann 14. Position Batterie (6 Guns Avg. Exp. 3.0)

 Leichte Division von Vincent: Feldmarschall Leutnant Karl von Vincent (4975 Inf. 1800 Cav. 12 Guns)
   Brigade Provenchères: Generalmajor Dollmayer von Provenchères (3100 Inf. 5 battalions Avg. Exp. 2.4)
   Brigade Nordmann: Generalmajor Armand von Nordmann (1875 Inf. 4 battalions Avg. Exp. 5.0)
   Kavallerie Brigade Rothkirch: Oberst Leopold Rothkirch (1800 Cav. 3 squadrons Avg.Exp. 3.3)
   3. Grenz Brigade Batterie: Hauptmann 3. Grenz Brigade Batterie (6 Guns Avg. Exp. 4.0)
   11. Wurst Batterie: Hauptmann 11. Wurst Batterie (6 Guns Avg. Exp. 3.0)

 6. Armeekorps Artillerie Reserve: Oberst Fasching (24 Guns)
   11. Schwere Batterie: Hauptmann 11. Schwere Position Batterie (6 Guns Avg. Exp. 3.0)
   12. Schwere Batterie: Hauptmann 12. Schwere Position Batterie (6 Guns Avg. Exp. 3.0)
   13. Schwere Batterie: Hauptmann 13. Schwere Position Batterie (6 Guns Avg. Exp. 4.0)
   16. Position Batterie: Hauptmann 16. Position Batterie (6 Guns Avg. Exp. 3.0)

Note that there have been heavy rains on and off for several days and the ground is very soft with all but the metalled highways reduced to mud. Manoeuvring off the roads will be fatiguing and artillery and cavalry may become tired after only modest manoeuvres.

We will send those garlic eating Frenchmen scampering to their border in short order!

And that was the result!

The Austrians advanced boldly to a position opposite the French centre and were able to establish a position atop a low hill just SE of Esslingen, upon which the French assaulted them with a determined infantry attack supported by a grand battery. At first the Austrian position seemed it would crumble and be brushed off the hill and the right flank was in especial danger but the concentration of seven batteries of artillery behind this flank shattered the French assault.

The Austrian infantry then conducted their own attack on Esslingen and by dusk were in possession of the town.

The French maintained a powerful reserve of uncommitted cuirassiers and under the cover of these troops, fell back.

French losses were 7,700 infantry, 1,350 cavalry and 14 guns. The Austrian loss was 3,800 infantry, 800 cavalry and 8 guns.

How could such a calamity happen? I never thought much of Lannes to begin with. This just confirms my suspicions. We need better leadership. More Bavarians at the top would be a good start.
Maréchal Francois Lefebvre, Bavarian Corps

I shrugg at the thought of hearing that Artty was the King of the Battle when the coal of my coal fired internet went down.

Argh.

Some images of the recent battle.

1) Crisis on the Austrian right. With only two shaky battalions on this flank facing what seems to be two enemy brigades, only the Austrian guns stood between victory and defeat.

http://www.atomic-album.com/showPic.php/22426/Esslingen_40.jpg

2) In the centre the attacks by the French columns were relentless.

http://www.atomic-album.com/showPic.php/22426/Esslingen_41.jpg

3) A grand battery supported their attack.

http://www.atomic-album.com/showPic.php/22426/Esslingen_43.jpg

4) The French infantry were eventually stopped and thrown back. Here we see the cautious advance of their light cavalry. In the left distance Austrian infantry of Kottulinsky's division form into squares.

http://www.atomic-album.com/showPic.php/22426/Esslingen_47.jpg

5) By evening the town of Esslingen was in Austrian hands and the remnants of Lannes' corps began to withdraw.

http://www.atomic-album.com/showPic.php/22426/Esslingen_49.jpg

I should make it today but could be up to 30 minutes late from start time.

I can play today at the usual time, 14:00 EST, 19:00 GMT. If we play the campaign today, I can make a short scenario for afterwards. It would be on the newly fortified Manassas map.

Yes, casualties from Esslingen have been updated to the master OOB for the campaign so we are good to go with some more map moves.

I can play today at the usual time, 14:00 EST, 19:00 GMT. I'll make up a short scenario in case the Austrians roll over the French quickly.

I can play today at the usual time, 14:00 EST, 19:00 GMT.

The losses from Regensburg have been calculated with adjustments to the master OOB so we can push on with "Napoleon's Annihilation on the Danube".

As usual a back up stand-alone scenario would be handy to have ready.

Wont make it today.

I can play today. I must stat that if the French do not begin making better progress, the Bavarian-French Empire will unravel. The great nation of Bavaria cannot continue supporting such a mediocre satellite.

-Maréchal Francois Lefebvre

Hi Guys,

Sorry I can't make it tonight. HAve a great game chaps.

Need a little help getting all required mods etc. set up on SOWWL.

Perhaps Diggers could help me next week sometime if he is free.

Blesssings

Baldrick
(Phill)

You should join us one evening and we can have a session helping you get organised.

I can play today at the usual time, 14:00 EST, 19:00 GMT. I still have a short scenario on the fortified Manassas map for use after the campaign game.

Any one interested in a game today? My internet is back up, & I'm suffering withdrawal symptoms.

I can play today at the usual time, 14:00 EST, 19:00 GMT. If we are having a campaign game, I won't make a scenario.

Sorry I wasn't around Friday; got waylaid by life. Will be around tonight.

Excellent!! Did you have time to create the next battle? If not I have one if Kevin does not.

I can play today at the usual time, 14:00 EST, 19:00 GMT. I don't have a scenario though.

Apologies, won't be able to make it today after all.