Campaign Eckmuhl 1809

[Marshal Lannes]

Maneuvers before Siegenburg.

The time now is 5.00pm. It is dusk and visibility has gone down to 400 metres. There is still a rearguard action between 2 battalions and a cavalry regiment of Bavarians and the Austrians in the woods, north-west of Pfeffenhausen. Deroi’s 3rd division has arrived a hour earlier and are taking up position on the Steinberg heights to the northwest of Siegenburg. Wrede’s 2nd Bavarian division is just arriving followed by Preysing’s Bavarian cavalry. Marshal Berthier, in Siegenburg itself, has just had a meeting with Marshal Lefevre, who has just arrived with the 1st Bavarian Division from the south. Betrhier is glad to , now, have at his disposal- 3 Bavarian infantry Divisions. He is however not pleased with the worrying news that Lefevre brings with him. Behind his march columns, he has observed a large Austrian force, following his with barely 45 minutes distance. He did consider stopping at Mainburg (100Vps), and facing them, but could clearly see that their numbers indicated a Corps strength. Without close support and pertinent orders- he continued moving towards Siegenburg. The onset of darkness within an hour will make reconnaissance difficult, but it is almost a certainty that 2 Austrian corps are moving towards the Bavarian 7th Corps.

Fortunately- Gudin’s 3rd French Division is deployed on the eastern approach to Abensberg itself, to counter any Austrian move in that direction, but Lefevre will not be able to support it, if he is pinned in place by the Austrians marching north and of course the Austrians following from Pfeffenhausen. The situation is made worse, as no word has been received from Davout and the disposityions of his other 3 Divisions. The Battle to defend Abensberg will lay in Lefevre’s hands alone , without Davout , and of course Napoleon, who has only just jumped into his carriage at Donauworth.

Lefevre would be more horrified still, if he knew the true situation of Davout’s 3rd Corps. Due to A.I. dispersal and I admit, my own laziness as I have to maneuver both armies who are not directly engaged. Davout’s divisions will have no impact on events of the next day. To quickly move the frech units I have used Campaign map view and close-up- which led to Morand’s 1st Division , apparently moving south, which they did for about 3 hours. Unfortunately , on the wrong side of the Danube, they now have to march back to Ratisbon and then beginning marching south again. Davout himself, is on the correct side of the Danube with most of St.Hilaire’s 4th division. I say most as, the A.I. decided to split the division and add French sappers and cavalry units, instead of his second brigade.

I will assume that this is down to incorrect orders , but, again the A.I. has created a unfortunate but more interesting situation. A human player would already have all 4 of Davout’s divisions ready for an assault on the Austrian north flank. The situation is now more tense and interesting.
As for the Austrians, ArchDukeCharles has ordered Louis 5th Corps to follow the retreating Bavarians and engage them in co-operation with Hiller’s 6th corps , who have already passed Elsendorf. Rosenberg’s 4th Corps has moved past Rohr and may move on Bachl and threaten Abensberg on it’s western road. As for Hohenzollern’s 3rd Corps, who are currently moving to rottenberg. Charles is awaiting developments as to their further moves. Liechtenstein’s reserve Corps will stay in the Pfeffenhausen area, thus being able to support any future Austrian position.
Archduke Charles has the initiative, positioning, and numbers, the Bavarians have no choice but to stand and fight. The next day will be bloody and Lefevre will either cover himself in glory or shame.........

[Marshal Lannes]

It is now game turn 100- since 5.15 pm to 7.15 am , the game has been totally about movement. There was still a little bit of skirmishing beyond Pfeffenhausen, in the north-western woods, but nothing of consequence. If you have ever tried moving from Pfeffenhausen to Siegenburg, it may look a short distance , but close-up, it is not. It is natural to choose the Siegenburg area for a defensive position as it has an enormous forest which stretches behind it almost to the western map edge. Siegenburg also has an elevated rise stretching to the north-east, including the Steinberg heights, with woods to it’s front. Although the woods may give some protection to the enemy, some skirmishers, can hold them for a while, and they will be coming out disordered to meet , whatever you setup.

Lefevre wakes at 4.30am, and is already with Karl Augustus and his 1st Bavarian division. They arrived about 7.00pm last evening and have set up a defensive position next to the great forest, blocking the main road north. At 6.00 am, with full visibility, Lefevre can see the Austrian positions. The Austrians have set up a line west and east of the main highway with their gun batteries in the front line, of which , they have quite a few. They seem to be still positioning . Lefevre rides back to Siegen burg itself and sees the last rea-rguard, Bavarian cavalry units , moving onto the rise about 800 metres before the village. A aide has already arrived and made his report to Preysing , who informs Lefevre that Loius’ 5th Corps is way behind and has only started to move forward to Siegenburg at first light.



The Bavarian positions are as follows- the 1st Bavarian division holds a position from the great forest to Siegenburg; the 2nd Bavarian division holds Siegenburg itself – the 3rd Bavarian division is arrayed to the north-east. Preysing’s cavalry are to the north and St.Sulpice is supporting the rear of the 1st Bavarians. It is estimated that Louis’ Corps is a good 4 to 5 hours away- the temptation to hit the Austrians quickly to the south-west of Siegenburg is overwhelming, but Berthier, being cautious overrules such an idea; especially as Gudin , deployed before Abensberg has reported sighting Austrian forces at Bachl, maybe 6 hours march from Abensberg.

From the Austrian point of view- Louis’ 5th corps has been reforming from the previous days engagement and has been blocked by a nuisance , small Bavarian rearguard, and of course has not moved during the night between roughly 10 and 5 in the morning. Hiller’s 6th Corps is positioned before the 1st Bavarians and is no doubt waiting for the arrival of Louis and his men. Rosenberg’s 4th Corps has already passed Bachl and I did consider attacking Gudin, but decided to throw a dice , which turned his Corps north. About 4 hours behind him, is Hohenzollerns 3rd Corps which will be given a slightly improved dice roll, which will either hot things up for Gudin or Davout to the north.

As for Davout and his 3rd Corps - he will be in a lot of trouble soon as he does not have either Gudin’s 3rd or Morand’s 1st division to support. He may have to defend the approaches to Ratisbon with only one and a half infantry divisions and 3 cavalry divisions. Nasty, but interesting.
At the moment, things are still looking rosy for the Austrians, that is , if the Bavarians do not put up a good fight. I will switch on the A.I. for the Bavarian fight at Siegenburg, and see if it can function any better, with an already deployed mass of my own choosing.
I should point out to any newbies playing the campaign game as the French- be totally aware of the Danube river- there is a nuance which may cost you ???????

VI Armeekorps: Feldmarschall-Leutnant Johann von Hiller (35,639)

Reserve Artillery: Feldmarschall-Leutnant Karl von Rouvroy
Three 12-pdr position batteries (18 guns), 6-pdr position battery (6 guns)

Division: Feldmarschall-Leutnant Friedrich Kottulinsky
Brigade: General-Major Otto Hohenfeld
Klebek Infantry Regiment # 14 (3 battalions)
Jordis Infantry Regiment # 59 (3 battalions)
6-pdr brigade battery (8 guns)
Brigade: General-Major Nikolaus Weissenwolf
Deutschmeister Infantry Regiment # 4 (3 battalions)
Kerpen Infantry Regiment # 49 (3 battalions)
6-pdr brigade battery (8 guns)
Artillery: 6-pdr position battery (6 guns)

Division: Feldmarschall-Leutnant Franz Jellacic (Jellacic detached at Munich)
Brigade: General-Major Josef Hoffmeister (Brigade attached to Vincent)
Benjowsky Infantry Regiment # 31 (3 battalions)
Splenyi Infantry Regiment # 51 (3 battalions)
6-pdr brigade battery (8 guns)
Brigade: General-Major Konstantin Ettingshausen (Brigade detached at Munich)
Esterhazy Infantry Regiment # 32 (3 battalions)
De Vaux Infantry Regiment # 45 (3 battalions)
6-pdr brigade battery (8 guns)
Artillery: 6-pdr position battery (6 guns)

Light Division: Feldmarschall-Leutnant Karl von Vincent
Brigade: General-Major Karl Dollmayer von Provenchères (Brigade detached at Munich)[5]
Warasdin-Kreutzer Grenz Infantry Regiment # 5 (2 battalions)
4th, 5th, 6th Vienna Freiwilligers battalions
O'Reilly Chevauxleger Regiment # 3 (8 squadrons)
3-pdr Grenz brigade battery (8 guns)
6-pdr cavalry battery (6 guns)

[Marshal Lannes]

It is game turn 104. 8.15am. Lefevre and his Bavarian divisions are still positioned about Siegenburg. Marshal Berthier has moved north to confirm Gudin’s sighting of Austrian troops on theBachl road. He is interrupted in his journey north by the sound of guns coming from Siegenburg. A unfortunate incident occurred at 7.30 am. The Austrian forces under Hiller were repositioning an infantry regiment, (49th), to the right of their line, when they were fired upon by a Bavarian battery, causing the loss of 2 men. This was opportunity fire and was accidental, since a count of 13 hexes was made to keep clear of gunfire, but unfortunately, the battery of Bavarians were 12-pounders with a range of 1500 metres and were firing obliquely. Obviously , the Bavarians were testing the range, and while Berthier had explicitly instructed Lefevre to give no provocation- the incident led to the Austrians moving forward their entire gun-line to engage the Bavarians in a long distance artillery duel. Both sides have also deployed skirmishers, so it now seems that the Austrians, may be pounding the Bavarian lines in lieu of a impending assault.
The artillery duel is unequal as Hiller has 9 batteries in all facing 5 bavarian, and also has 3 batteries of 12 pounders. The shells are telling with 2 Bavarian skirmish units already routing. Austrian losses stand at 19 men whereas the Bavarians have lost 67 men. The Austrians are for the moment quite happy to soften up the Bavarians. Hiller is buoyed by the news that at long last, Louis’ 5th corps is racing up the Siegenburg road and his advance, hussar cavalry are only 1300 metres from the village itself. The infantry are moving in straggled columns behind and it is expected that they will be deployed and ready to attack by before noon.



To the north, a bit west of Abensberg, Gudin is anxiously watching the Bachl road and is surprised not to have encountered any Austrians thus far. The main reason for this being that Rosenberg’s 4th Corps has already turned North-east. In it’s place, at Bachl, the newly arrived Hohenzollern 3rd Corps, is definitely going to move towards Gudin’s position. Fortunately, for Gudin, only the advance element of the 3rd Corps has arrived- the rest of the Corps is still quite a way behind and will take till noon to close-up. The thought had crossed my mind to move Hohenzollern’s 3rd Corps to the south=west towards Siegenburg, but there is such a thing as overkill. Anyhow they work as a split between Davout and Lefevre, or thanks to the A.I., a split between half of the 3rd French Corps with the other half. Morand’s 1st Division is just crossing the Kelheim bridge north of Abensberg and will not be able to support Gudin for at least another 6 hours. Ou est Napoleon ??? et Grouchy.

Time is precious, especially in this campaign, and that is why it is interesting, and of course the reconnaissance aspect, which is crucial for the Bavarians and Davout. As the Bavarians, you cannot misinterpret Austrian movement, or pay a heavy price. From what I can see , the Austrian artillery is a major headache and could punish lazy defensive positioning. Good job, I am nominally, playing as the Austrians. The 3 battalions per regiment structure works quite well too..................

[Marshal Lannes]

The time is 11.30am. Hillers 6th Corps artillery are still pounding the lines of the 1st Bavarian division. They have little choice but to accept the punishment as any withdrawal will uncover the crossroads behind Siegenburg and expose Wrede’s 2nd division to fire from their right-flank rear. An aide from archduke Loius has arrived to inform Feldmarschall Hiller that the 5th Corps is at the moment, arriving before Siegenburg from the east and is currently deploying and readying itself for the attack. Hiller has also been informed of the action at Pfeffenhausen, and so now knows that apart from the Bavarian division he has been shadowing for the last 2 days, there are also 2 other Bavarian divisions at Siegenburg.

The pounding of 3 12-pounders and other batteries, even at long range for over 3 hours has been telling. The light skirmish line deployed by the Bavarians has all but routed. The Hamerbein Lt. Battalion , positioned in line on the main highway north, has broken and fled with a 42% loss rate, solely down to cannon fire. Prince Ludwig, had initially positioned 4 battalions of infantry on the fringes of the great western forest. These were the first to be attacked by 5 battalions of Austrian infantry. The Austrians indulged in musketry across the clear areas of terrain skirting the forest but then decided to mass melee assault, which met with some initial success. A see-saw battle raged for about 2 hours with both sides suffering about equal casualties. The 3 battalions of Vienna Freiwilliger took the most punishing loss. Unfortunately, Major Rechberg was killed in the third melee assault by a bayonet thrust to the side, killing him instantly- the first Bavarian officer casualty of the Campaign. The Prince Royal Line did not live up to a more honourable reputation and near the start of hostilities, broke , but were quickly rallied and returned to the fray, with renewed vigour.

It is only a matter of time before hiller decides on a general assault- the news of Louis’ arrival, means that a noon assault is likely. A little bit more pounding may discourage another Bavarian battaluion or two to flee at little cost to Hiller, except tired gun rammers. For the moment, the situation for the 1st Bavarian division is mounting in tense anticipation. Prince Ludwig has already voiced his concern about being able to hold his position by asking for a support regiment from Lefevre. As for the eastern approaches to Siegenburg, Wrede has his 2nd Division firmly installed in the village, while Deroi is lined up behind the 2 wooded areas to the north-east. He has however failed to send a skirmish line into the woods to harass Louis’ 2nd Division , as it moves up the track to deploy. Louis’ 1st division is deploying left and more, intensively towards the centre. A warning shot from the Bavarians on the rise heading northeast has already curtailed an Austrian hussar approach. Louis is expecting to be ready to attack at about 1.00pm, all things being equal.

As for and his 3rd Corps, things are not looking good. Gudin’s 3rd division is aware of the approaching Hohenzollern 3rd corps, while Davout himself has contacted Rosenberg’s 4th Corps at Hausen. Unfortunately forDavout , he has only two of St. Hilaire’s brigades available. Two artillery batteries are about 3 hours distant, thanks (A.I. ).He is however slightly buoyed by the appearance of Pajol’s light cavalry division, from the north. Morand’s 1st Division has just arrived at Saal which is north-east of Abensberg, ( about 5 hours march. Davout now has to make the tricky choice of ordering Morand to aid Gudin who is about 4 hours march to the south-west or arrive at Hausen to help Davout defend Hausen against Rosenberg. Both choices are tactically correct , so i shall leave the result in the hands of the God’s and throw a holy dice.
What Davout does not know is that Rosenberg only has 2 divisions of his whole 4th Corps available, with limited artillery and has no cavalry support whatsoever. He also has his supply wagons straggled back, a fair distance away, so may defer heavy engagement until early evening. Friant’s 2nd division is still approaching the Kelheim bridge and it is doubtful that it will be able to support anyone until early evening.

Archduke Charles has received some cavalry re-inforcement from the eastern map-edge, in the form of Veczay but is as yet reluctant to release his reserve cavalry corps until the situation is clearer and developments, invite their deployment.

[Marshal Lannes]

History remembers Wellington's defeat of Napoleon, but has forgotten the role of Field Marshal Radetzky in the battles which led to Napoleon's abdication and first exile in 1814. As Chief of Staff to the allied coalition of 1813-14, Radetzky determined the shape of the most decisive campaigns of the Napoleonic Wars by creating the strategy that defeated the Corsican in Germany and then France. Neither Russia nor Prussia had been able to overcome Napoleon in battle and it took the brilliant diplomacy of Metternich and the military genius of Radetzky to ensure victory over the Emperor. In short, the Austrian contribution decisively tipped the balance against Napoleon - a fact which has always been overlooked by historians. It was Radetzky, too, at the age of eighty-two, who defeated the Italians in 1848 and 1849 and thus saved Europe once again from the prospect of international war and revolution. The wars Radetzky fought - and won - throughout his extensive military career were of the greatest possible significance in European history, yet today, he is almost forgotten - remembered only in the music of the Radetzky March, dedicated to him by Johann Strauss the elder. In this, the first biography of Radetzky to be published in English, Alan Sked paints a vivid picture of an exceptional, yet neglected commander of genius in a book which will be fascinating reading for enthusiasts of military and modern European history.

Well, fill my breeches with gaseous odour if that does not beat all. The Austrians were responsible for the ultimate demise of the Emperor and his Empire. No doubt , I am going to totally buy into this, especially as the author in question is, " International History Lecturer" at the London School of Economics, LSE, for the uninitiated. And as we all know, anything that emanates from the nest-egg of conjectural, historical revisionism, based on personal bias, must be wholly true. I can sleep easy now knowing that it was the Austrians and not the Russians- the book proves it and should be considered wholly, holy writ.....

Radetzky is also apparently, a , "- Military Genius "- must be a Napoleonic contagion going around ..." Craposis" of the Brain, quite nasty and mainly affects authors.........apparently.

In my Camapaign- Radetzky was killed in the first half- hour , so I personally do not rate him....

[lecrop]

Congratulations for your work, I am a faithful follower, but is hard to follow the campaign without some illustrative screenshot...

[Nikel]

Congratulations for your work, I am a faithful follower, but is hard to follow the campaign without some illustrative screenshot...

+1, game screenshots!

But in 2D

[Marshal Lannes]

Mon Graveur DVD est Brisees ! Regrabadora DVD esta Rota ! Nicht Screenshots....... for the moment......

[Nikel]

USB memory sticks are very practical and so you don't need DVD

I don not remember the last time that burned a DVD

[Marshal Lannes]

Euro's Euro's pour le pauvres, pobres Anglais, Inglese ! I was actually thinking about memory sticks -never used one though. I will check them out, especially as I have a Tiny desktop which dislikes non-tiny hardware, which is no longer available. We shall see...........