Age of Eagles - Game Report 7

The Battle of Eckmuhl-Heinspach 19 April 1809

Background

This is the sixth battle of the 1809 campaign. The campaign continues to throw up excellent battles with tactical decisions and outcomes influencing operational design and outcome for both sides.

Situation

Earlier in the day the 3rd Corps D’Armee and caught and contacted 3rd Armee Korps on the flank and forced them S of ECKMUHL. By falling back 3rd Armee Korps were able to link up with the 4th Armee Korps that were advancing N. Together they would outnumber the French and therefore possibly able to give a bloody nose to Napoleon. The days battles spread over the two villages would become known as the Battle of ECKMUHL-HEINSPACH.

Austrian casualties earlier in the day were confined to 3rd Armee Korps and were relatively light, and its combat power was not significantly impacted. 4th Armee Korps brought to the battle its 3 Divisions with 10 infantry regiments, 2 light cavalry regiments and 10 batterys.

The French 3rd Corps D’Armee was hardly scathed from the fight in the morning. Brigade Duppelin had suffered 25% losses, but the remaining 11 infantry brigades were untouched. Davout also had Nansouty’s 1st Heavy Cavalry Division with 2 Cuirassier Brigades. 2nd Heavy Cavalry Division was moving to join Davout.

Battlefield Map and Terrain

The battlefield was similar to that to the North, with wide open farmland. The only notable terrain feature was the KLEIN LAABER which was effectively a stream that most troops, less artillery, could cross.

Battle Report

By 1300hrs both sides had finished their deployment as per the map. Both Austrian Corps commanders decided to defend in depth, with the ability to counterattack as required. Their forward outpost line was in the villages of HEINSBACH and GUNDIG manned by Battalions from the Archduke Karl Legion and Grenzers respectively. Additionally in the woods E of HEINSBACH 3rd Armee Korps had deployed IR7. Napoleon and Davout had disposed their troops in a line with the 1st to 3rd divisions on their right and the 4th and 5th(Reserve) on their left, running in seniority from the right.

On the French left the 5th(Reserve) Division showed the way and successfully advanced across the KLEIN LAABER by 1330hrs. They were showing the same elan they had earlier in the day. In doing so they demonstrated to the 4th Division how a division should advance with Napoleon present, rather than their dilatory manner. Throughout these early phases of the battle the Austrians were reacting in a timely manner, historical accounts say that Napoleon was unwell after a large luncheon and failed to seize command until later in the day.

On the Austrian left the Archduke Karl Legion abandoned their position due to exceptionally heavy casualties from French artillery fire. In doing so IR7 was withdrawn to protect its flanks. The 2nd and 3rd French Divisions followed up these gains by advancing to the W branch of the KLEIN LAABER.

The 5th(Reserve) Division gained further pride and respect for the manner in which they threw the Grenzers out of GUNDIG; well ahead of schedule at 1430hrs. They would eventually be cited by Napoleon for their courage and elan and awarded their own Eagle from the hands of Napoleon for their valour on the 19th April 1809.

As 5th(Reserve) Division were further embellishing their reputation, on the French right the advance continued. The 1st Division launched a divisional attack against IR38 in the woods SW of HEINSBACH. The attack initially stalled but the French continued to apply pressure and drove IR38 out of the wood. The situation became even bleaker for the Austrians as IR7, withdrawing from the outpost line, routed in fear from the French threatening their rear.

By 1500hrs the Austrian 3rd Armee Korps had regrouped its line. The commander moved IR20 to act as reserve for the right of his line. Meanwhile his Light Cavalry had also withdrawn ready to fall back into the Corps reserve. However, Nansouty decide to pre-empt this by launching a Cuirassier Brigade at the Austrian Light Cavalry who successfully counter-charged down the hill.

The Cuirassiers drove the Austrian Light Cavalry back, and then broke through to engage IR29 which were thrown back in heavy disorder, exposing the flank of IR20 in column.

Meanwhile on the French left the 4th Division attacked the Austrians with two brigades. They pushed the Austrian’s IR46 back, which fall back 200 metres in reasonable order. 4th Armee Korps reserve artillery moved up to support the line.

4th Armee Korps Commander launched his two cavalry regiments in counter-attacks. The left of the two regiments fared well and pushed the infantry back, while the one on the right’s attack failed and it was forced to retreat to the rear. However, I doing so the French Brigade was forced into square.

By 1530 the situation started to look bleak for 3rd Armee Korps. The French Cuirassiers continued to make progress and punctured the Austrian line. They forced the Austrian Light Cavalry to the rear. Davout sensed that this might be a turning point and urgently moved the rest of his Corps forward.

From an overview of the overall battlefield at 1600hrs it is clear that the 3rd Armee Korps was in trouble. The Cuirassiers have punched a hole in the line, and can exploit their advantage in any direction. The outcome of the battle would depend on a number of factors. Not least was who would seize the initiative, but also could 3rd Armee Korps defend until dusk?

Unfortunately for the Austrians Napoleon and Davout seized the initiative and 2nd and 3rd Divisions launched a series of coordinated attacks against the 3rd Armee Korps shattering the Austrian infantry and forcing them back. Despite their disorder the Cuirassiers forced the Austrian lines back even further; the Austrian backs were now against the wall.

However, a timely intervention from 4th Armee Korps which launched IR9 in a stunningly successful counterattack to throw the French 2nd Division back off the hill. This at least created some breathing space for the right flank of 3rd Armee Korps. Meanwhile the commander of 4th Armee Korps decided to look to the safety of his own command by securing his left flank and withdrawing in contact. Wherever possible both Austrian commanders started to try to extricate their guns to the rear.

By 1700hrs the Austrian 3rd Armee Korps was in full retreat. The second Cuirassier Brigade were launched into the battle. Although it took flank fire from a damaged Austrian battery and was attacked in the flank by Austrian Light Cavalry it stood its ground. The Austrians positioned themselves to leave the battlefield as quickly as they could, and they were willing to sacrifice damaged batterys to save the infantry.

A half hour before dusk the Austrians seized the initiative and 3rd Armee Korps broke contact, and extricated its remaining forces.

Meanwhile the 4th Armee Korps successfully protected its flanks and withdrew in successive tactical bounds, while carefully preserving its left flank so recently exposed by the demise of the 3rd Armee Korps.

Outcome and Casualties

The Austrian 3rd Armee Korps was soundly beaten, and were combat ineffective by the end of the day. They would take some time to regroup. The question was whether they would be given that time or whether the French would push on next day and pursue. Of which more in later battle reports.

On the right flank, despite the initial reverses, 4th Armee Korps held its ground and defended itself robustly. Austrian shooting from both Korps throughout the day was dire, very poor in comparison to that of the French artillery that dominated the early exchanges.

The battle added further lustre to 3rd Corps D’Armee reputation; they were truly Napoleon’s 10th Legion! No unit epitomised this more than the 5th (Reserve) Division, made up of troops from the Confederation of the Rhine, who despite not being a major component of the Corps upheld the reputation of the 3rd Corps D’Armee. They distinguished themselves and gained honour for their regiments and their small principalities.

ADLG - Game Report 70

New Kingdom Egyptians (14) vs Vedic Indian (35)

On to the next competition and Warfare 2022. I was in the 15mm ADLG competition where the theme was going to be Biblical Armies. I was certainly up for that with my Egyptians. Kevin kindly offered his Vedic Indians as an opponent for me to test my Army.

I decided to move the centre commands chariots to the left as we advanced. Already I was starting to learn the inconvenience of the differing movement rates from mixing troops types along the line.

As we advanced the line became even more fragmented and failed to develop a cohesive force into battle at any point along the line. We rather dribbled into contact!

Once we came into contact despite some small success the infantry took a beating in the centre. This could have been avoided if I had arrived in contact as a coherent line and avoided giving the enemy so many free overlaps. The one saving grace and point of honour was the lone light infantry bowmen that withstood at least 3 rounds of massed bow fire before succumbing to the inevitable fate.

Outcome

A valuable learning exercise as the army went down losing 26 cohesion points to the Indian’s 10!

Lessons Learnt

Mixing the troop types failed to give the expected support to each other

The impetuous Sherden warriors should have been grouped as one where their impetuosity and movement rates would have been less of a hindrance.

Test the army well before you submit the army list to the competition! Fortunately I was able to change my Army based on this salutatory lesson.

ADLG - Game Report 69

Andalusian Arabs(133) vs Post-Roman British(146)

Mark et al were off to do battle in ADLG at a tournament in Germany. As such he wanted to trial his army for the competition. I was warned that it was large, and in point of fact I discovered during the game that it was by far the largest ADLG Army I had ever faced. I selected the Andalusian Arabs as suitable match from the Dark Ages period for him to face.

Despite the paucity of troops mark had deployed I was rather suspicious of the three ambushes, and the number of command dice he was rolling.

I was attacking, and I thought that as his camp was undefended that would be at a good target to gain some valuable cohesion points. Also, I suspected that his left and my right would be the favourable place for a potential flank march to arrive, so I refused that flank.

My cavalry has contacted his on the left and the main attack is about to go in in the centre. As suspected at least one of the ambushes has been sprung early, with its 6 units!

For once my Cavalry have done well and destroyed Mark’s and they are now moving forward to support the rest of the Army. However, at the same time my absolutely dire combat rolls have not helped the rest of the line in contact!

My Cavalry on the left are having a great time rolling over all in their path, but my infantry were like blades of grass in front of Mark’s mower! On the right Mark’s flank march finally arrived, and for a while my flank guard held their own, but again bad combat rolls did for them in the end.

Outcome

An honourable draw. I was within 1 cohesion point of breaking while I had snipped of only 22 of his 37 cohesion points.

Lessons Learnt

It is true, quantity has a quality all of its own!

I was too reticent about committing the Cavalry against Mark’s infantry. If I had done so I might have broken through earlier.

ADLG - Game Report 68

Triumvirate Roman (83) vs Kushan (107)

The final battle of the day, against David’s Kushan’s. More cataphracts to face off against. At least I wasn’t heavily outnumbered.

The line will advance! But not too close to the centre please as we don’t want to wake up David’s unreliable General and stir him into action – a mistake I have made a number of times in the past.

On the right and despite their wounds the German Cavalry engage the enemy light cavalry.

On the left the line advances to contact, but keeping the judicious distance from the enemy centre.

The elephant manages to destroy one cataphract, however the legionaries on the left crumble against the cataphract onslaught.

The cataphract’s breakthrough the line onto be engaged by my light infantry.

The battle is going better than I could hope for on the left, my heavy cavalry managed to outflank and destroy the cataphracts and both the elephant and final legionary unit win their battles. All for a total of 4 units destroyed for 8 points. However, on the right the cataphracts and the now available unreliable general manage to do unto my legionaries on the right as they did to those on the left!

Outcome

A loss by 8 points to 22!

And a mid-table finish for Team “Right Said Fred”, my fellow teammates played excellently to lift us up the leader board.

Lessons Learnt

Don’t take Roman Legionaries to a Cataphract fight.

ADLG - Game Report 67

Triumvirate Roman (83) vs Ghazanid (206)

Day 2 at the BHGS Team Competition at SELWG. Team “Right said Fred” are rather being let down by poor showing thus far. On to the fourth game against Adam.

First order of business for me, as I was attacking, was to redeploy my Army from a poor battle plan.

In doing so I managed to achieve a better balance with the two legionary commands in closer contact while the Elephant command went forward to disrupt and delay the enemy attack. I have managed to extricate the right-hand cavalry units in order to protect the flank of the legionaries.

The enemy left is withdrawing which provides an opportunity for my right to advance. In the centre the Elephant is holding its own, while the left move up in support.

On my right the legionaries are moving up to support the Elephant, the Light Infantry in the brush are able to provide flank fire on the enemy cavalry as it withdraws.

My elephant has been destroyed in combat, and it leaves the Light infantry to face of against the enemy pachyderm, although the Thracians to their left are looking a little unwell. Contact in the centre!

In the centre the legionaries break through, but too late to save the battle.

Outcome

A loss for the Romans 17 to 23, in a game that at one stage could have gone the other way.

Lessons Learnt

The poor battle plan was not entirely to blame, and because I was the attacker I didn’t lose too much by redeploying.

I should have got the legionaries int eh centre into contact much quicker.

ADLG - Game Report 66

Triumvirate Roman (83) vs Yuan Chinese (279)

For my third and final outing of the day I was moving my Roman’s much further east. You just have to love Simon’s camp, which is in fact an aquarium ornament repurposed as a great ADLG camp!

I decided that I was not going to be too rash, and therefore tried to form a good strong line. On the left I wanted to keep my elephant as far away from Simon’s as I could possibly do so!

The lines make contact in the centre of the battlefield.

Although after the initial contact one of my legionary units is looking decidedly unwell! And at the right hand end of the line one has already died.

The legionaries do something right and kill both enemy elephants. The line has broken down with both sides manoeuvring to try and take each other in the flank.

My elephant has survived the contact thus far despite its wounds, and is now trying to pursue into the enemy depth. Elsewhere the legionaries have taken some grievous wounds and losses.

Outcome

A mutually assured destruction for my first points of the day!

Lessons Learnt

A draw felt as good as a win in a tightly fought battle with a great opponent.

ADLG - Game Report 65

Triumvirate Roman (83) vs Scythian (76)

Second game of the day was against a large Scythian army, 29 units, led by Ian.

I was confronted with an Army replete with Cataphracts. I was to learn over the two days that Cataphracts were not the most favourable opponents for my legionaries!

The other recurring theme was that mediocre Elephants fare badly against elite elephants! In small order my pachyderm once again dies, but in doing so takes out one of his own Thracian units!

On the left the chaotic fight of the lights continues. Meanwhile the enemy elephant has turned left and is now trying to move down my line and roll it up.

On the right I had some better fortune and managed to have some effect on the enemy horse archers. Even to the point of ignoring them firing at my heavy cavalry from behind.

Outcome

A loss to the Scythian hordes by 15 to 22.

Lessons Learnt

Another lesson on how not to design an Army

I learnt that Light Cavalry Bows can fire in two ranks.

ADLG - Game Report 64

Triumvirate Roman (83) vs Timurid (273)

So on to the BHGS team competition at SELWG. Colin aka “Froderick” for the day joined his fellow team members in “Right Said Fred”. As forewarned my first game was a rematch against Paul.

For this Army I chose 8 legionaries. However, I forgot to count how many units Paul was loaning me! For some inexplicable reason I thought there were eight bases of legionaries, there were only seven so Paul loaned me for the day one of his heavy infantry bases that he was not using (the fellows in white at the right of the picture.) I was invited to attack and led off refusing my right.

For once my light cavalry have inflicted a hit, a rare event indeed. Meanwhile my mediocre elephant is trying to force the cavalry into contact.

On my right my German cavalry are trying to get into contact before they are outflanked.

On the left my elephant dies, while the remaining Thracians accompanying it decide to pursue onto the enemy camp, but are caught before then can ransack it. My German Cavalry are being outflanked on the left, while on the right I am having to turn to face the enemy threat.

The moors have engaged the camp, and the Thracians are in danger of being destroyed. The German Cavalry have engaged but are losing the fight.

The cumulative effects of the enemy bow fire are causing the cohesion hits to mount, and the enemy Elephant is about to break through my flank guard.

Outcome

A loss by 12 cohesion hits to 22.

Lessons Learnt

I wish I had used the previous army list!