Battle of Montebello, 9 June 1800 - AAR

Jonathan (Palouse Wargaming Journal) set up the Battle of Montebello from the War of the 2nd Coalition.  So, how could I be anything but delighted to accept the invitation to join him online for this clash.

The field of battle at the start of play.  Austrian divisions are at Rivalta (O'Reilly) and arriving from the west of Casteggio (Vogelsang).  The French will arrive along the road from the east.

I elected to command the French, whilst Jonathan led the Austrians.

The victory conditions for the French (me) were to either break the Austrian army by breaking two of its three brigades, or by capturing Cascina il Giardino and Casteggio without any unbroken Austrian brigades east of the river.  I reflected on the size of the French force and made the pre-match decision that the only way to gain a victory was to break the opponent.

Watrin's brigade of legere and line arrived on the battlefield from the east as Vogelsang's brigade started crossing the river in the west.

Knowing that a speedy advance was necessary to inhibit the Austrians from deploying effectively, Watrin quickly launched his troops against the village of Rivalta.  Its swift capture would open up transit down the road.
Despite massing two battalions for the assault, the Austrian defenders threw back the attackers.

With Vogelsang beginning to deploy, the resistance at Rivalta was proving to be a major hindrance.  Nonetheless, Watrin's infantry successfully saw off a cavalry charge and caused casualties to other units.

With all of his brigade in position, Watrin ordered an all out assault on O'Reilly's defenders.

The success was remarkable with three Austrian units either annihilated or dispersed.  However, Rivalta repulsed a second attack.  Thus remaining an annoyance.

An Austrian counter-attack was ordered.  With cavalry crashing into the unsuspecting French, they over ran the unit but lost one themselves.  O'Reilly's brigade was now broken, but it had delayed the French advance and given time for Vogelsang to deploy. 

To the east, Hussars under the command of Lannes arrived and immediately moved of towards the south.  Meanwhile, Austrians still held Rivalta!

With his brigade broken and facing further losses, O'Reilly pulled his cavalry back and abandoned Rivalta to the French.  Watrin immediately pounced on the retreating prey to deal out further death and destruction.  Meanwhile, Lannes' Hussars saw that Vogelsang's southern flank was based at Cascina il Giardino and decided to implement a movement around the town.

Further Austrian reinforcements began to arrive through Casteggio.  Schellenburg's brigade have arrived.  The French had to move quickly to deliver a win.  Lannes' Hussars speedily continued their southern hook.  If nothing else, this should induce some nervous tension in the Austrians.

As Schellenburg's infantry continued to cross the river, Lannes swept round Cascina il Giardino with his Hussars and positioned his infantry before the town to rain down lead onto the defenders.

The Hussars over ran an infantry unit and a battery.  However, the exertion had taken its toll in casualties and most significantly in the death of Lannes himself!

To the north and with O'Reilly's brigade neutralised, Watrin's infantry fell on the northern flank of Vogelsang's line.

However, the Austrian defence proved to be resolute and threw back the attackers.

But in the south, Schellenburg gave his cavalry the command and they hurled themselves into the French Hussars.  Austrian impetus and weight proved to be too much and the brave French horse was wiped out.
This success let Vogelsang move his infantry forward.  Big mistake...

The remaining unit of Hussars charged off the hill to fall on the exposed infantry flank and completely over ran them.
As the hussars dealt out death, Lannes infantry bounded forward into Cascina il Giardino and ejected the defenders.
As the French captured the town, the spirited Hussars continued forward in a death and glory charge into the flanks of two further Austrian units.  With the odds against the French troopers, they nonetheless wiped out and dispersed the infantrymen in a swirl of sabres.

Vogelsang's brigade was now broken!
What was worse for the Austrians, was that Chamberlhac's brigade was now arriving from the east!
The Austrians decided that the battle was lost and retired as swiftly as possible.

With two of the three Austrian brigades broken, the victor's laurels went to the French.

Afterthoughts

Wow! That was one hell of a game.  It was action from the word go.  It was the most tremendous fun.

As the French, I did not think that I would win this contest.  This feeling was compounded by the Austrians delaying me at Rivalta.  But once that blockage was cleared, the French infantry advantage in movement allowed for swift action.  I could see that attacking the centre head on would be fruitless.  Hence I sent Watrin north and Lannes south, hoping that the Austrians wouldn't push through the centre and pick me off.

In the end, it was desperate charges against infantry not in square that paid off.  Once defeated by cavalry they were destroyed... Phew!

There was a lot of drama in this game.  Not least at the end when the hussars over ran the Austrian infantry.  Neither Jonathan nor I could believe the unfolding events as the French quite literally snatched an unlikely victory.

An amazing experience.  Well done Jonathan and thank you.