The Battle of Abensberg, 23 April 1809 - Battle Report

The first physical gathering of the Rejects in Postie's shed of war in 2023 saw us duel in a Napoleonic encounter between the French and the Austrians.  For a much better report than this one go to Big Lee's blog.

I don't have the army lists. However, it would be fair to say that the armies mirrored each other in terms of units.  But, the French had several elite infantry units while the Austrians enjoyed heavier and slightly better cavalry.

For the French were Surjit, Lee and Mark.

For the Austrians were David, Ray and me.

My first analysis of this game was that the symmetric nature of the armies made what should have been a fairly quick game turn into a cagey affair with neither side wanting to commit themselves to risks.  So, the first few turns I'll skip past, as the action really took place in the last 90 minutes out of a five and a half hour game.

The forces deployed.  Both armies with cavalry on both flanks and infantry in the centre.

Closer view of the Austrian deployment.

All along both lines, the armies crept towards each other over a series of turns, as can be seen in the following series of photos.

One defining moment at this point was the French light infantry brigade gained control of the hill straddling the centre of the battlefield, by beating off an attack by Austrian uhlans and ejecting jagers from the woods.  However, what we all knew was that this battle would be won or lost on the flanks not in the centre.  It needed the cavalry to engage.

At last, the Austrian right flank crashes into the French left.

Alas, the cavalry on the other flank are still enjoying their lengthy picnic!

With opposing brigades of heavy cavalry and cuirassiers smashing into each other the honours appeared to be even.  However, the defeated Austrian were thrown back further in rout, whilst the battered French were merely disordered and withdrew slightly.  So, as it would turn out, still well placed to deal a further blow to Austria's finest.

With more units well placed, the French ensured that surviving Austrian cuirassiers faced danger from their flanks as well as from in front.  This did not bode well for the Austrian horsemen.

And so it proved to be with two Austrian units destroyed and another thrown back in rout.  The French's careful redeployment from an initial position of disadvantage was critical in denying Austrian ascendancy on this flank.

As the heavy cavalry hurtled into contact, and the French infantry approached the Austrian position, The light cavalry brigades on the near flank closed at last.

The French light cavalry commander (Lee) had handled his horse artillery well all battle to inject nervous tension into his opposing cavalry commander.  As sabres slashed it became clear that the situation was less clear cut with one victory apiece and two continuing melees. 

With the thunder of hooves to the left and right, the French infantry assaulted the Austrian position in the centre.  The job made easier for them when the three targets all failed morale checks and retired without so much as levelling their bayonets at the enemy.

However, seizing the moment and in an act of desperation, the Austrian infantry commander sent columns and lines forward to try and blunt the French attack.

In what can only be described as a whirlwind of bayonet, charges and dice, the Austrian infantry sent one unit running and smashed straight into an unsuspecting French column.  Meanwhile, further in the centre two more French infantry units were decimated.

The Austrian columns then smashed and routed the elite column of the 57th regiment, and proceeded to pulverise and rout the retiring target of its original charge.

Would this be enough to snatch victory?  Unlikely!  The Austrians had lost many commanders, artillery batteries and cavalry units.

So it was, that we called the battle concluded.  Stuart then proceeded to tally points.  Regardless of the score the photo below really shows this as a French victory from the position they had won over the Austrians

As it happened the French won with a crushing 27 - 15 victory.  Well done Surjit, Lee and Mark.

Analysis

Well played the French, especially the cavalry commanders who handled their deployment and horse artillery well.

This should have been a game that was fought quickly.  It was not.  I can only put that down to no one wanting to commit when both armies mirrored each other so much.  I believe the outcome would have been the same, and possibly without the French infantry centre being so damaged.  It was enjoyable.  The banter was top quality, Lee's tantrum was highly amusing (Ray will have something to write about that), and the action (when it came in the last 2 turns) was thrilling.

We all went home tired, but happy.