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The Battle of Abach - 22 April 1809 - mid-morning

From the GWC's ongoing 1809 Napoleonic campaign

A 25mm wargame fought on Saturday, June 28, 2008

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Documented here is the fighting in mid-morning of the second day of the epic Battle of Abach, fought by the Gourmet Wargaming Club. Austrian troops under Archduke Charles fought a defensive battle against a series of attacks by the French under Napoleon and Davout. We fought with 25mm miniatures using Age of Eagles rules.

It was a day of glory for the French. In the words of the campaign Umpire:

The battle resumes at 6 am, it is once again a terrible bloodbath, worse than the day before. At 11 am, the Austrians have lost 24,000 men and 9 batteries (out of 34), the French around 15,000 men, but the Austrian offensive on their left is stopped and repulsed, while Massena breaks part of the Austrian left flank. At 11 am also, the Archiduke learns that instead of Hiller to join his left flank, 20,000 Bavarians are coming this way. He therefore orders a general retreat...

To see photos of the previous end-of-day fighting, click here.

 

 




A view of the French left flank, Austrian right flank. The Austrians (left) are in the midst of assaulting across the stream.


The French right flank, Austrian left flank. The Austrian defensive line (right) lies just behind the crestline of the hill.


On the Austrian right flank, French cavalry (top) attacks large infantry columns as Austrian guns lay feeble fire.


In the Austrian center-right we see masses of Austrian infantry (bottom and right) facing a thinner mixture of French cavalry and infantry.


Another view of the Austrian center-right, with a large body of French infantry preparing to assault an Austrian brigade in a village on a small hill.


Again, in the Austrian center-right, Austrian infantry (bottom) charge the flank of the French force threatening the small hill.


The rear of the Austrian center, a relatively quiet sector of the front--for now.


Attack columns of French infantry (top) march through the woods to engage the Austrian center-left.


The Austrian center-left, showing columns of Austrian infantry (bottom) supported by artillery waiting for the enemy to advance in the woods.


Plucky French gunners (lower left) move their batteries just over the crest of the hill to engage enemy infantry and artillery at close range. This will prepare the way for the cavalry behind them.


The Austrian left flank, showing the single line behind the crest facing lots of French heavy cavalry (top).


French infantry and artillery hit the Austrian left hard as the cavalry wait patiently for their turn.


The French burst through the hole they just blasted.


French columns strike the center of the Austrian line.


French heavy cavalry brush aside their Austrian counterparts and break through to capture some artillery.


Cavalry clash on the French left flank.


The Austrian center-right is dominated by the French infantry (right) holding the hill.


The French cavalry force (left) watches 2 more French artillery batteries blast the enemy at close range. Note that the Austrian infantry has been forced to deploy in squares, which only makes the enemy fire more deadly.


A mix of officers of both sides.


A second French cavalry charge (center) hits the Austrian right, sweeping more artillery with it.


French cavalry (top) move into position to charge the Austrian left.


Good-natured play with few arguments: a hallmark of GWC games, thank goodness.


The battered Autrian right flank is now essentially thrown to the defensive by nimble and savvy enemy attacks.


Austrian infantry (bottom) still hold the center-right in large numbers, although French cavalry (center) is not much cowed.


The Austrian right reforms into an infantry line well-sprinkled with artillery.


The Austrian center-right goes back to the attack, closing on the French from 2 sides.


The French center continues its pressure on the enemy.


Pow! The Austrian left reels under a general cavalry assault from over the hill.


French cavalry and infantry are already across the crest of the hill, driving into the Austrian left.


A verdict of victory: the Austrian left flank is destroyed. It should be just to the right of the white string marking the crestline, but many units have been destroyed or driven off by the French cavalry.


A final shot of the battlefield from the Austrian right.


And a view of the carnage on the Austrian left. The French are soon declared the victors, and the Austrian army quits the field of Abach. Our 1809 campaign is at an end.


A moment of relaxation before...


The chocolate cake arrives, in all its yummy glory. And just in time for the Umpire's birthday, long may he live!


The cutting of the cake! This softens the sting of defeat for some of us at the table. A fine way to end a battle that took 6 months to fight to conclusion. Bravo!