The Battle of Madonna dell'Olmo - AAR

The Rejects happily accepted Jon's, of Palouse Wargaming Journal, invitation to fight this battle.

For a fuller and much better introduction to the battle I refer you to Palouse Wargaming Journal: Assessing Victory Conditions.

Along with Surjit, I would attempt to further the Franco-Spanish cause.

The Austro-Sardinian forces were led by Lee and Steve.

What follows is the view of the game from my side of the table.  Such was the quality and immersive nature of the game that I cannot vouch for my accuracy.

The Austro-Sardinians started with the initiative, meaning they could move and engage with two brigades. This Franco-Spanish inability to snatch the initiative would be a constant thorn in the side throughout the game.

Surjit and I figured that we could not win by holding key points on the table.  So, our approach to the battle was to defend, use reserve orders where possible, and try to inflict significant losses on the Austro-Sardinians.

Deployed and ready to play.

Steve went straight onto the attack.  Surjit was consequently thrown out of Madonna dell'Olmo after a lengthy struggle. The enemy advanced to support their gains and threaten our right.

On our left, de Courrier's cavalry repositioned itself to counter any attempt by Lee to pass over the ditch.

Positions start of turn 2

La Mina (Surjit) faced a lot of pressure around Madonna dell'Olmo and held off an assault on Pasquale.

A lot of Franco-Spanish units are placed on reserve.  With Jonathan using his two green dice mechanism to produce an certain turn lengths and activations, it was important to be able to move when needed.  As it happened this was vital to de Courier's brigade as it would only be activated twice during the whole game, and so needed the reserve status to charge later.

Positions start of turn 3

The Austro-Sardinians continued their pressure on our right. They launched a successful assault on Pasquale, bringing numbers to bear.

However, Surjit massed his cavalry and gave the enemy a taste of our steel.  Pasquale was back in our hands.

Pasquale recaptured.

Whilst the fighting was on the right, the Austro-Sardinians were creeping round into the centre.

Positions start of turn 4

The battle on the right was becoming attritional. But on the left the Austro-Sardinians were now making moves on our left. Their artillery fire there was also inflicting casualties.

Positions start of turn 5

With Lee's troops advancing to occupy the centre, reserves from Camposanto's and de Courier's brigades (both played by me!) were hurled into a swirl of melee.  And in true epic wargaming fashion every single one was my units were either beaten or destroyed.  The Franco-Spanish left was starting to look very exposed.

Positions start of turn 6

Lee now made short work of destroying my best cavalry unit, taking Lupato farm and killing two leaders - Camposanto and de Courier. Our left was now more than just exposed... it had crumbled.

Positions at the end of the game.

The hour was late, my neatly pressed pyjamas and hot coco were awaiting my attention.  So it was that Surjit and I accepted the fact of an Austro-Sardinian minor victory.  

Well done to Lee and Steve who played an excellent game, and to Surjit who led a heroic defence of our positions on the right.  Alas, poor Surjit needed a better commander on the left, and certainly one who could throw some decent dice in a while.

Kudos to Jonathan for an extremely well crafted and challenging scenario, and to his quality umpiring.