Age of Eagles - Game Report 11

The Second Battle of Perchaon 30 April 1809

Background

This is the tenth battle myself and Matthew have had in our ongoing Danube 1809 campaign. For those not familiar with this series of battles, they are battles that are derived from a campaign I have been running with Matthew. The campaign has not only generated some fascinating battles, but also battles in which careful operational decisions have to be made. For example, when you decide to abandon the battle and withdraw to avoid losses. Force preservation is a key decision-making factor for both us. This is wholly unlike a normal game when one just goes for broke for the victory!

Situation

The overall strategic situation has not changed significantly since the 29 April. In the north on the Danube the Austrians continue to defend the line of the River Inn. While to the north east of Salzburg the Austrians have been conducting a fighting withdrawal in front of Massena's advance. The Austrian's goal is to hold off Massena long enough for the forces in the north to break contact and withdraw to the next defensible position. If Massena were to break through it could envelope the Austrian forces on the River Inn.

Consequently, the day before on the 29th April 1st Reserve Korps turned and faced Massena's IV Corps D' Armee, in the expectation that the 3rd Armeekorps would join them and in doing so inflict a significant defeat on Massena. The battle didn't achieve that goal, and the 1st Reserve Korps took significant casualties from artillery before it could come into contact, and before 3rd Armeekorps arrived. As a result the decision was made to withdraw to the south east. However, as both Korps were about to depart around 1800hrs 4th Armeekorps arrived from the north. The die was cast, they would be committed to fighting Massena on the 30th April, but this time with far greater strength.

Battlefield Map and Terrain

The following is a map of the battlefield with the positions taken up by both the French and Austrians overnight ready for battle at first light.

The Battle

By first light both armies had deployed ready for battle. This view of the battlefield is looking from the North. In the foreground on the Austrian line is the 4th Armeekorps from the village of VIZ to the central east to west road. From this position to the village of LENGAU is the 3rd Armeekorps. The 1st Reserve Korps is deployed centrally. For the French they have deployed Vandamme's VII(WU) Corps D'Armee to the south of LINDECK, in the foreground, leading on to the IV Corps D'Armee and then two divisions from II Corps D'Armee that Massena had taken under command. In reserve they have the 3rd Heavy Cavalry Division. Overall the Austrians had 75,200 infantry, 7820 cavalry and 168 guns against the French who had 47,400 infantry, 2760 cavalry and 136 guns.

Although the French were outnumbered, they seized the initiative and attacked at 0630hrs. The initial phase of the battle was an exchange of artillery fire, Casualties from this on both sides were light. The Austrians were content to fight a defensive battle. Massena decided that he would try and envelope the flanks, and refused the option of charging the mass of Austrians in the centre. Therefore, at 0900hrs Vandamme's Wurttembergers commenced the attack by moving towards VIZ and the woods to the south of that village.

Although, the Austrians were conducting a defensive battle they decided that they needed to protect the woods south of VIZ. They had already moved forward regiments from Hohenloe's division forward into the woods.

However, Franquemont's Brigade of Wurttembergers, supported by Jarry's Brigade from Tharreau's Division, shattered the Austrian defenders who withdrew.

Franquemont and Jarry threw back in further confusion an Austrian counterattack of two regiments. Hohenloe's Division was now losing contact with Somariva's 3rd Division holding VIZ. It was decided to move two regiments of Austrian Grenadiers to support Hohenloe, however, they were very tardy in moving to support. While the wood was being contested and then won by the French, at 0930hrs they launched their first attack at VIZ, both Schafenstein and Hugel's Brigades were thrown back by Grenze Infantry Regiment 12 (GIR12).

Throughout the morning between 0930 and 1100hrs the Wurttembergers launched three more attacks against VIZ. In each case they were thrown back in disorder. Moreover, on GIR12's left in the woods Hohenloe's regiments had regrouped and moved forward to re-establish the line. Attempt6s by the Wurttemberg Cavalry to outflank VIZ were defeated by the presence of the Austrian Cavalry and the artillery firepower protecting VIZ.

At about 1100hrs Massena then committed troops to move around the Austrian left (or southern) flank. He chose General Claparede's 2nd Division of II Corps D'Armee to lead this attack. This was the sector of the 3rd Austriankorps, and their commander had placed, as with VIZ, GIR9 forward to hold the village of LENGAU. Their Divisional Commander Vukassovich brought forward his 3 batterys to support them.

The initial attack against LENGAU was repulsed by GIR9. The Claparede then brought forward Ficatier's Brigade forward to continue the attack. However, before they could be committed Massena gave orders to pull back to the original position. The Austrian position was too strong to break through.

At the northern end of the battlefield by 1230hrs the Grenadier regiments from the regiment had arrived and the line had stabilised.

Outcome and Casualties

The Austrian's had met the French in battle of ground of their choosing and on balance had secured a defensive victory. Although casualties were very light for both sides, it was clearly a moral victory for the Austrians. The Austrian Emperor granted an award and laurel wreath for the GIR12 for their commendable performance during the battle. The Austrian Army continued their withdrawal through the night moving south east to pick up roads which would then lead them north east to the Danube and to rejoin the main army.

ADLG - Game Report 293

Feudal French (182) vs Tribal Mongols (178)

We are all now planning our armies for Attack 2026. The theme is "Any army dated 1106.” This gives me a wide choice of possible armies, and also brings into the equation for me the Chinese army I built for Beachhead. I have already trialed the Taifa Kingdom, but for this game I reworked my Feudal French list.

Nigel offered combat with his Mongols, which would be an interesting challenge for the French Knights. As predicted I failed the initiative and was invited by the Mongols, all 29 of them, to attack them in the Steppes. The infantry command deployed defensively on the left using the brush to the left and in the middle as defensive points for the lights and mediums. The knightly commands were deployed in the centre, all 12 of them. Oh and I am not the only person who thinks he knows how to flank march, am I Nigel?

The Infantry command moved into position as was soon able to ring effective crossbow fire to bear on the Mongols. Meanwhile the Knights in the centre have shaken out between the terrain features.

The Mongol Flank march arrived and advanced through the brush to engage the light troops screen we had established (just outside of 4UD from the edge) The Mongols at this stage seem content with using their bows. In the centre the two Knight commands have wheeled left and right respectively in order to try and ride the Mongols off the table.

The Mongol mounted archery is at last starting to find its range, but so are the crossbows. With the lack of threat to the right of the brush, two spearmen have been called forward to reinforce the French left. On the right out of picture four Mongols are attempting to move around the flank, hence the swordsmen who have been repositioned on the hill. A minor irritant is the aggressive Mongol pinning the left end of the Knight command on the right.

This irritant became an even bigger issue when he survived first contact with the knights and then went on to six-one the knight in the next round and destroyed it! However, we are closer to driving the remainder from the battle on the right and in the deep left we can almost secure the enemy camp and loot it. The Infantry command has suffered a couple of unfortunate losses to the Mongol bow fire, but is cooperating with the Knights.

The infantry command has decided to withdraw the Light troops from the brush. The remainder of the infantry are moving forward to push the enemy away. On the right the Mongols decided no to leave the battle and decided to die for the Khan, however it looks like the Knights that are doing the dying.

On the left the Knights supported by the Infantry command are slowly pushing the Mongols away. However, on the right another Mongol six-one in combat has done for another Knight.

Outcome

We agreed a draw, with the Mongols losing 20 of 29 and the French 16 of 25. Despite a, potentially, predictable draw this was a very good game, which could have gone either way. As they say the dice even themselves out in the end if you roll enough of them.

Lessons Learnt

I learnt that a Knight heavy army is capable of taking the battle even to a larger army and surviving.

Nigel learnt a lot about how to use and deploy Light Cavalry. I am sure that anyone facing this many aggressively used elite bow armed light cavalry might take a pause of honest reflection before committing themselves to battle.

With this many Light Cavalry in an army you can afford to risk using them in combat if the situation is suitable or necessary, not least because you have so many of them!

ADLG - Game Report 292

Andalusian Arabs (133) vs Three Kingdoms Korean (121)

The final game of the tourney against Andy's Korean's, and a game in which I either forgot everything I have learnt so far, or one in which I had a mental block. Either way it was a timely reminder of what not to do. I lost the initiative and was invited to defend in the plains. On balance the terrain was adequate for our purposes. I deployed with the Infantry command on the left with some nice fields for the lights and mediums to deploy in. The Cavalry Command were on the centre right and once more the Light Cavalry Command was right flanking somewhere in the boonies.

The Koreans managed to get the march on me and advanced rapidly, they were prudent enough to detach a flank guard which reduced their strength in the main body, which in retrospect meant that even without the flank march we were no relatively even numbers where it was going to count. Except that I have, by bringing them forward, unfortunately pinned my own Cavalry Command and can no longer redeploy it.

At this stage recognising what I had done, it was essential that I release the Infantry command into the attack. Here in lies the benefit of the medium troops on the flanks as they were able to threaten the enemy right. However, it looked increasingly like the Cavalry command would be the sacrificial lamb if the Light Cavalry Command failed to arrive.

Quelle sacrifice. I meant to move the Cavalry Command first in order to secure an overlap against the enemy Cataphracts. However, stupidly I moved the Infantry first which prevented the overlap from forming. More significantly the cataphracts and polearms rather pummelled the heavy cavalry. On the left there is better news as the Andalusian infantry seem to be far better placed, that is until their right flank is exposed by the Cavalry. Oh and the Light Cavalry have failed to arrive, again.

Before I could disengage the heavy cavalry they were destroyed, and the infantry are looking less than healthy although they have achieved a breakthrough sufficient to attempt to flank the enemy. However, the telling issue is that without the arrival of the flank march, due next turn were destroyed.

Outcome

A Korean victory by destroying 19 of my cohesion points on the table the turn before the flank march was due to arrive. I took a meagre 9 of the enemy.

Lessons Learnt

Perhaps a flank march too many, they may have been more useful on the table to provide a screen to prevent the enemy's rapid advance.

I should have not moved the Cavalry command forward en masse. At most one single element forward deployed as a covering force would have been sufficient to allow us to potentially redeploy.

The Infantry could have moved more aggressively from the outset, and forced the Korean's to consider what they might do.

Overall I allowed the enemy to seize the initiative and maintain it, solely because I expected the flank march to arrive.

ADLG - Game Report 291

Andalusian Arabs (133) vs Nikephorian Byzantine (127)

Day two, I was fortunate that we were able to start later, and I left home earlier, so I managed to make the start time despite the rush hour traffic. My first game was against Phil's Byzantines and I was fortunate to seize the initiative and immediately decided to attack in the plains. There was a paucity of terrain for this battle, which suited me fine, and we deployed with the Cavalry Command left and the Infantry Command right, the Light Cavalry were outflanking from the left.

The Byzantines surmised that the most logical flank for the flank march to arrive was on the left and decided to detach cavalry to try and protect their flank. Even if the flank march didn't arrive this distraction improved the balance of forces on the main line in our favour.

The Andalusian Infantry command was deployed defensively between the terrain features to protect the camp. This left the combined Cavalry commands to force the enemy right. Aware of the threat to their right the Byzantines have slowed their advance on their left and have reorientate d their remaining cavalry to better protect their flank.

The Byzantines have abandoned their camp and their flank to confront the larger threat of the Andalusian Cavalry, and in this they have managed to inflict damage. On the negative side their flank has been exposed. With the Byzantine left holding the Andalusian Infantry have been ordered to advance to the attack.

The enemy camp has fallen, and their right flank has been broken by the Andalusian Cavalry. While on the right the Andalusian Infantry has held its own on contact, less the elite spearmen who have come off worse facing enemy mounted.

Outcome

A telling victory for the Andalusians only losing 9 cohesion points. The overall score is now a mor respectable two wins, one draw and one loss.

Lessons Learnt

When it works a flank march can work really quite well.

A lesson to self. If I were in the Byzantine's situation, I would have abandoned the camp and gone for broke by aggressively attacking and trying to secure what advantage I could before the flank march arrived and the camp fell.

ADLG - Game Report 290

Andalusian Arabs (133) vs Fatimid Egyptian (202)

Game three against Dave's Fatimids. I was invited to defend in the plains. In this game again there was an open flank, the right. However, I decided not to use the flank march instead there was a handy gully in which the Light Cavalry Command were hiding in ambush. The remainder of the army was deployed with the infantry on the left to exploit the fields, with the cavalry in the centre.

The Fatimids very quickly exposed the ambush. The Cavalry command advanced refusing their left, while the infantry deployed to cover the fields and to hold the left flank.

There was no time to lose, and the Cavalry command went into the attack against the Fatimid Cavalry, with the Light Cavalry command enveloping the line from the right.

In spite of the initial losses the Cavalry Command has the advantage over the Fatimids. The enemy infantry is content with advancing to within bow range and engaging by fire.

The Andalusian Cavalry have reformed and are now ready to take the battle back to the remaining Fatimids. On the left the enemy continue to engage with fire. While in the centre we have positioned the spearmen to face of against their most likely foe to avoid overlaps.

With that realignment the spearmen were able to engage their opponents with the support of the Light cavalry attacking from the flank, but still the enemy manage to initially prevail in the combat!

The Spears succumbed to the fight but while they were perishing the elite spearmen destroyed their opponents and were then able to support an attack on the enemy cavalry. In the centre the remaining enemy infantry unit was caught in front and flank and destroyed.

Outcome

An Andalusian victory, suffering 21 casualties for the victory; an excellent game with a lot of "too and fro". The day's result was one win, one draw and one loss – a full house

Lessons Learnt

There are alternatives to conducting a flank march.

ADLG - Game Report 289

Andalusian Arabs (133) vs Blemye & Nobatae (112)

Game Two at the Dorset Dodderers. One of the nice points of this event is the number of new ADLG players it has brought forward. For example, Dave and his Nobatae army. I lost the initiative and was asked to defend in the mountains. I sent the Light Cavalry left flanking and placed the cavalry command left and Infantry on the right. I decided, perhaps unwisely as it will turn out, to try and secure the brush to our front as a place for defence.

We pushed forward and there was sufficient space for the Cavalry command to shake out into a single rank. On the right the medium troops are heading for the brush as intended.

bang, the Flank March arrived and charged into contact immediately. With this distraction in place the rest of the cavalry moved to the right to avoid facing the massed Nobatae infantry.

The Light cavalry have managed to disrupt the enemy right sufficiently to allow the mass of the Cavalry to start the move from the left. The Infantry are well placed in the centre, and we are in position to secure the brush and fight off the enemy mounted who are advancing through it.

The Light Cavalry are making heavy weather of trying to destroy the remaining Nobatae cavalry unit. However, the rest of the cavalry have turned to the right to sweep, or to try and, down the enemy line to support the infantry who have closed the distance to the enemy line. Unfortunately, the medium troops in the Brush were not even a speed bump for the progress of the enemy camelry, who now have the Andalusian Camp in their sights.

Before the Andalusian Cavalry can administer the coup de grace, their camp falls, along with a number of infantry and light cavalry units.

Outcome

A Nobatae victory in which they lost 21 of 28. This left me at 1 Draw and 1 loss for the day; would I be able to turn it around in game three

Lessons Learnt

Remember that Camels are not disordered in brush, hence bowmen and javelinmen are not going to be much of an opposition for impetuous medium camels.

Just because someone might be new to ADLG doesn’t mean that they will not now how to conduct a great battle and exploit the capabilities of their troops!

ADLG - Game Report 288

Andalusian Arabs (133) vs Justinian Byzantine (124)

Onto the Dorset Dodderers. Although I am local to Entoyment it took nearly an hour to get there, driving across the conurbation in the rush hour. For my first outing I was drawn against another Robin's Justinian Byzantines. I won the initiative and decided to attack in the plains. The left flank looked open and inviting for the Cavalry, and the flank where the Light Cavalry Command was scheduled to arrive. (Surely we weren't going to roll for arrival as poorly as I have in the last two games. The infantry was to the Cavalry's right.

With the wright of enemy cavalry bearing down on the Infantry Command, they refused their right and placed the Javelinmen in the rear in a field to protect the way to the camp. On the left the Cavalry have advanced, while the enemy Cavalry have withdrawn to the rear.

Ta Dah! The Flank march has arrived. The battle has settled down into one where we both have a preponderance of Cavalry against the opponent's infantry. Albeit that in my case the enemy's infantry is uphill!

After failing to break the Andalusian Infantry by fire the Byzantines have started to redeploy their Cavalry to either support their centre and right or to attempt a flank attack on the infantry line. On the left our cavalry are now in a position to engage the enemy infantry from the flank and rear.

The Byzantine's disengaged their cavalry from the right and the redeployed cavalry in the centre are now facing Andalusian Cavalry and Infantry. On the left the first enemy unit on the hill has been destroyed, but the line is still firmly in place on the hill.

The Byzantine archery from horse and foot continues to inflict pain. However, the remaining heavy infantry on the hill has been destroyed, but it stood for far too long! The Light Cavalry Command has exploited forward and in doing so it has failed to make the enemy camp and is hampered by the enemy light infantry in the gully.

Outcome

Declared a draw with the Byzantine's losing 11 of 22, while we lost 16 of 25.

Lessons Learnt

If the factors are in your favour and you can also engage from the flank as well, then attacks uphill can work!

The Light Cavalry were used too aggressively, we knew that there were enemy infantry retiring through the gully.

ADLG - Game Report 287

Andalusian Arabs (133) vs Maurikian Byzantine (125)

And there was time for one final practice session with the army before the Dodderers met in anger. Robin was also attending the event and wanted to try out his army selection as well. I was invited to attack in the plains. With such a wide-open right flank I felt it imprudent not to place my Heavy Cavalry there, with the expectation that hopefully after the disaster against the Zapotec's they would arrive in a sufficiently timely manner. On the left the Infantry command was designed to hold and be damned.

We advanced the minimum it felt reasonable to do so and allowed the Byzantines to advance to me.

The cavalry moved forward to close the Byzantine's down, but at this stage there was no sign of the flank march.

It seems the Byzantine's wanted to try and expend their arrows to attrite me on the way to contact, and where necessary evade their horse. Consequently, the right wing has started to outpace the left, and still no flank march.

Although the enemy infantry on the Byzantine left is attempting to wrap around the Cavalry command's left our right is doing the same to their Cavalry wing on their far left. The infantry command has hardly been bothered by the arrows or the odds against them. As a footnote still no flank march.

And finally, the flank march has arrived in time to bayonet the enemy wounded! The enemy flanking movement against the cavalry has been partially successful although it hasn't been without loss to them. However, despite the Andalusian cavalry losses the wing, with the support of the Light Cavalry, is well placed to continue the battle. The enemy infantry lines have engaged.

On the right the Andalusian Cavalry have successfully engaged and destroyed most of the enemy cavalry, and it is a question who can regroup the quickest to continue the fight, although this all might be moot as the enemy camp is in range of the Light Cavalry. The Infantry are fighting hard, and although the mediocre spearmen have been destroyed the Andalusian infantry remain confident.

Outcome

An Andalusian victory in which they suffered 18 casualties.

Lessons Learnt

Once again if the Light Cavalry hadn't arrived, we were looking down the barrel of another defeat.

A flank march is a high risk gamble but with high risk comes high rewards – or so they say.