Post by twr on Sept 17, 2019 11:03:30 GMT
This evening we deployed for a refight of the Battle of Teugn-Hausen historically fought on the 19th of April 1809. We would be using the Volley & Bayonet rules for our refight.
In the early part of the 1809 Campaign the French were reorganising. Then on the 19th the Austrian III Korps advanced astride the line of march of Davout’s III Corps as it marched west. A confusing battle resulted with French troops arriving from different points. Yet the Austrians were far from concentrated. The scenario of course recreates these issues as well as allowing alternative command decisions impacting victory conditions.
In our refight Saint Hilaire’s division was heavily engaged and after sweeping away the Austrian Advance Guard Division advanced over the large wooded Teugen ridge forcing the Austrians back to their hastily arranged second line.
Here the Austrian divisions of Lusignan and St. Julian formed a stronger position with the infantry well supported by artillery. However in the ensuing engagements IR 12 Manfredini and IR 20 Kaunitz suffered heavy casualties. French losses were equally heavy with Saint Hilaire’s Division bearing the bulk of the casualties, with the 57th Ligne and the 10th Legere in particular taking crippling casualties.
With casualties mounting the previously rapid French advanced slowed, especially so when reinforcements in the form of Friant’s Division were held up by Austrian cavalry and Gudin’s Division became scattered.
Further, the early commitment of Gudin’s Division, compared to the historical battle, encouraged the commitment of three converged Austrian Grenadier Brigades. With the sky filling with dark clouds, the battle historically being bought to an end by thunder storm, and the arrival of the Austrian Grenadiers it was clear that our refight would end in a draw.
In the early part of the 1809 Campaign the French were reorganising. Then on the 19th the Austrian III Korps advanced astride the line of march of Davout’s III Corps as it marched west. A confusing battle resulted with French troops arriving from different points. Yet the Austrians were far from concentrated. The scenario of course recreates these issues as well as allowing alternative command decisions impacting victory conditions.
In our refight Saint Hilaire’s division was heavily engaged and after sweeping away the Austrian Advance Guard Division advanced over the large wooded Teugen ridge forcing the Austrians back to their hastily arranged second line.
Here the Austrian divisions of Lusignan and St. Julian formed a stronger position with the infantry well supported by artillery. However in the ensuing engagements IR 12 Manfredini and IR 20 Kaunitz suffered heavy casualties. French losses were equally heavy with Saint Hilaire’s Division bearing the bulk of the casualties, with the 57th Ligne and the 10th Legere in particular taking crippling casualties.
With casualties mounting the previously rapid French advanced slowed, especially so when reinforcements in the form of Friant’s Division were held up by Austrian cavalry and Gudin’s Division became scattered.
Further, the early commitment of Gudin’s Division, compared to the historical battle, encouraged the commitment of three converged Austrian Grenadier Brigades. With the sky filling with dark clouds, the battle historically being bought to an end by thunder storm, and the arrival of the Austrian Grenadiers it was clear that our refight would end in a draw.