Abach - 1809 - first day, early morning

The Battle of Abach - 21 April 1809 - early morning

From the GWC's ongoing 1809 Napoleonic campaign

A 25mm wargame fought on Saturday, February 2, 2008

Documented here is the early morning of the first day of the epic Battle of Abach, fought by the Gourmet Wargaming Club. Austrians under Archduke Charles maneuvered to defensive positions in the face of mounting attacks by the French under Napoleon and Davout. We fought with 25mm miniatures using Age of Eagles rules.

The town of Abach is nestled in gently rolling countryside; the Austrians occupy the town, French advance troops enter at the top corner of the map.	Austrian troops (center of map) spread out from Abach in search of better defensive positions on the surrounding heights.	Austrian horse strike out to screen the advance of the French.	And here comes the vanguard of the French assault.	Austrian troops and guns in and around Abach scatter to find cover.
Austrian positions start to coagulate on the hills in the right of this photo.	A closer look at the mass of French troops entering at top left, and the scattered Austrian units tasked with slowing their advance until defenses can be prepared.	Several French cavalry units crash into one Austrian cavalry brigade, which gives ground grudgingly despite the desperate odds.	Austrian guns head for the hills.	This small village becomes the center of the new Austrian left flank.
One Austrian infantry brigade forms on the large hilltop to create the new Austrian right flank.	An overview of the newly-formed Austrian line.	The French are starting to get serious. This mass of infantry and cavalry forms the new French left flank.	Austrian artillery maneuvers into position on the right flank.	The Austrian left flank is formed for battle.
The scarf is the ultimate sign of authority. Don't mess with the ref.	Now the Austrian right flank is considerably stronger, with infantry and guns supported by cavalry.	An overview of the developing French attack (left) against the Austrian right flank.	Napoleon's warriors in full battle cry!	Mixed units of the Austrian left await the arrival of more enemy troops opposite.
Another mass of French arrive to create the French right flank.	The French attack rumbles forward.	Austrians on the right must face a multi-brigade attack, but at least they are backed up by cavalry.	French light horse slips up to work around the enemy right flank, but is disrupted by accurate artillery fire from the hill.	The Archduke and his generals ready themselves for what is to come.
Napoleon (center of photo) towers over the battlefield. He is obviously considerably taller than the chroniclers claim. A veritable giant of a man.	Crash! The French left slams into the Austrian defenses. Enemy guns blast cannister into the waves of blue.	Huzzah! The French assault has been thrown back with losses. But Marshal Davout has even begun to assault.	Austrian horse on the left flank advance to harass and delay the advancing enemy.	Crunch! A second French assault hits home, blasted yet again by cannister. But this time the French will not be thrown back.
Cannon of the Austrian right have fallen back in the face of the French attack, and only three Austrian infantry brigades, backed by some cavalry, are in place to hold back the French.	More of Davout's troops arrive on the French left.	Plucky Austrian horse hit a disordered advancing French infantry brigade before it has time to form square.	A shot of the French right flank, with defending Austrian cavalry in the upper left.	Austrian generals within message distance discuss strategy.
A French second wave forms up on the left.	The vangard of a new Austrian corps emerges to halt the advance of the light French cavalry just in the nick of time.	Austrian positions on the right flank. The French have a toehold on the hilltop.	A new Austrian gun line is formed for a desperate defense.	Austrian heavy cavalry slam into advancing enemy infantry.
Cavalry of both sides maneuver in front of the Austrian left.	The Austrian Heavy cavalry on the right have knocked back their first target, then break through to strike a disordered French cavalry brigade.	And more Austrian cavalry on the left swing in to take an enemy infantry column in flank.	Why we fight: German chocolate cake, a home-baked dessert worthy of would-be princes. How appropriate! How quickly it disappeared!