1809: French Campaign Log

[Didz]

1809: Turn 18: 18 April 1809 (Rain) The offensive begins

The Advance begins the leading corps of Davout and Massena covering 27km by nighfall with a further 36 to march before they reach Eckmuhl.

The Guard keen not to miss the battle march 36km passing through Donauworth and heading for Ingolstadt.

The Austrians are reported to have captured Nurnberg meaning that their front is now even more stretched than previously assumed.

[Didz]

1809: Turn 19: 19 April 1809 Enemy in sight (RAIN - Heavy Mud)

As the lead elements of Davouts III Corps approach Eckmuhl reports arrive of the first contact between the cavalry screen and the Austrian Army.

Regensburg is occupied by at least 3 Divisions of Austrian Infantry with light cavalry and artillery in support. Assuming that the average Austrian Division will field about 8,000 to 10,000 men and the Cavalry about half that number this represents a force of about 35,000 men.

An Austrian Heavy Cavalry Division is also reported in the direction of Landshut.

These reports confirm that the French have indeed secured the central position inserting themselves between at least two elements of the Austrian Army.



*** Intelligence Report ***

Austrian Forces North of the Danube

Enemy forces sighted at Regensberg: 35,000 (3 Infantry Divisions, 1 Light Cavalry Division, 1 Artillery Division)
Enemy forces reported near Budweis : 13000 Previously reported as 20,000
Enemy forces reported near Schwandorf : 23500 Possibly the corps reported at Cham a few days ago.

Austrian Forces on the Inn

Enemy forces sighted 18km NW of Landshut: 5,000 (1 Heavy Cavalry Division)

Austrian Reserve Forces

Enemy forces reported near Brusau : 20500 Possibly a new formation
Enemy forces reported near Enns : 16500 Possibly the force reported at St.Polten a few days ago.
Enemy forces reported near St.Polten : 13500 Possibly the Corps reported at Vienna a few days ago.
Enemy forces reported near Wagram : 19500 Previously reported as 16,000 strong.

Orders for 20 April 1809

Battle Deployment
Guard (Mouton) 16,000: To Eckmuhl, retreat point Ingolstadt, March to the sound of the guns.
II Corps (Lannes) 23,000: To 22:10, Hold prevent enemy at Regensberg marching on Ingolstadt.
III Corps (Davout) 57,000: To 24:9, block the enemies line of retreat towards Straubing and engage them.
IV Corps (Massena) 38,000: To 24:10, block the enemies line of advance on Eckmuhl and engage them.
VII Corps (Lefebvre) 32,000: To 22:14, Engage the enemy on the Landshut/Ingolstadt road to cover our right flank.
This should pit 118,000 men against the 35,00o known to be at Regensberg whilst blocking any intervention from the enemy on the Isar.

Logistic's
500 supplies ordered from Donauworth to Eckmuhl to reinforce the forward depot.
Hospital to set-up at Eckmuhl
Line of Communications Head moved to Ingolstadt.

[Didz]

1809: Turn 20: 20 April 1809 The Battle of Regensberg

The leading elements of Davouts III Corps found the road from Eckmuhl to Regensberg blocked by the Austria IV Corps commanded by Rosenberg. Rosenberg having chosen to defend in depth deployed the 25,000 Infantry of Dedovich, Bartenstien and Somariva's Divisions supported by 2,000 light cavalry and 7 batteries of guns amongst rough terrain blocking the French advance. He was promised support from Hillers Corps to his rear.

Napoleon only had part of Davout's III Corps on hand as Morand, Friant and Demont had yet to arrive. Nevertheless Massena had promised that Molitors Division would be available by Mid-day and Saint-Cyr and his artillery by mid-afternoon.

French OOB
Gudin's Div. 11,000 infantry
Hiliare's Div. 11,000 infantry
St. Sulpice Div. 3,000 Hvy Cavalry
III Corps Art. 5 Batteries
Marulaz Div. 3,000 Lgt Cavalry

By Mid-day
Molitors Div. 7,000 Infantry

By Mid-Afternoon
Saint-Cyr's Div. 11,000 infantry
IV Corps Art: 5 batteries

Austrian OOB
IV Corps Rosenberg
Inf Div Dedovich: 12,000
Inf Div Bartenstein: 9,000
Inf Div Somariva: 4,000
Cav Div Somariva: 2,000
IV Corps Art: 7 Batteries

The French have cavalry superiority but the rough terrain will reduce the value of their superiority in artillery.

Having studied the situation and weighted the odds Napoleon decided to rely of his superiority in cavalry and the quality of his troops and launch a full scale frontal assault on the enemy position, throwing in Massena's reinforcements as and when they arrived. His hope being that the shear shock of his cavalry and infantry would overwhelm the enemy.

The Battle Unfolds

France (Frontal Assault) Napoleon v Austria (Defend in Depth) Rosenberg

Command Modifiers
Massena, outstanding execution (+24%)
Rosenberg fails to execute plan (-24%)
Hiller total command breakdown (-30%)

From the outset the speed of the French attack confounded the Austrian general staff. Rosenberg failed to deploy his reserves fast enough and Hiller's command of the reserves completely collapsed as he tried to make sense of the frantic reports received from his colleague.

Massena responded brilliantly to the situation feeding his reinforcements rapidly and decisively to expliot the weaknesses in the enemy defence and overwhelm their battle line.

The attack opened with Hilaires Division supported by St-Sulpice smashing into the partly deployed Austrian centre inflicting over 3,500 casualties.

At mid-day Gudin's Division added its weight to the attack and together with Hiliare and St.Sulpice a further 6,500 casualties were inflicted of the wavering Austrian troops.

Finally, in the closing stages of the battle Massena's freshly arrived Divisions or St.Cyr and Molitor were committed and the Austrian defence was overrun their infantry forced into squares could not retreat and Rosenberg asked for a parley to negotiate the surrender of his Corps.

In all the Austrians sufferred 28,500 casualties, the French 5,500.

But more importantly Inf Div. Bartenstein, Inf Div. Somariva, Cav Div. Somariva and the IV Artillery all laid down their arms and surrendered to the French. Soon after which Inf Div. Vincent belatedly sent by Hiller to reinforce Rosenberg arrived just in time to run into the victorious French advance and did likewise.

Of the forces engaged only Inf Div. Dedovich was able to escape.

Davout marched truimphant into Regensberg just before dusk.



Orders for 21 April 1809

Despite the unexpectedly decisive victory over Rosenberg's Corps at Regensberg today I am still faced with a problem. On the one hand I am keen to expliot the success at Regensberg by pursuing what I assume to be Hillers Corps and prevent its escape over the Danube at Straubing. But at the same time I am painfully aware that Lefebvre's Bavarians are likely to be roughly handled by the Austrian Corps debouching from Landshut unless I do something to prevent it.

I can see no option at this point but to split my forces. Lefebvre's VII Corps must be given support particularly as it is so deficient in cavalry, whilst the Austrian Corps confronting it is cavalry heavy with at least 2 Heavy and 1 Light Cavalry Divisions on its strength. To this end Massena's IV Corps and the Guard are ordered to march immediately to assist. Massena will move to seize Landshut and the bridge over the Isar whilst the Guard move to reinforce Lefebvre. Hopefully, the Guard Cavalry will arrive in time to avoid any major disaster. Napoleon will move immediately to join Lefebvre in order to stiffen the Bavarian's resolve.

Meanwhile Davouts III Corps supported by Lannes II Corps will march on Straubing. Hopefully, Hiller and his troops are still in shock following todays battle and the 80,000 or so troops descending on their line of retreat should be enough to secure a further victory, or at least hasten their withdrawal.

Battle Deployment
II Corps (Lannes) 23,000: To Straubing, Attack any enemy encountered en-route. March to the guns.
III Corps (Davout) 57,000: To Straubing, Attack any enemy encountered en-route seize the bridge over the Danube and deny it to the enemy. March to the guns.
IV Corps (Massena) 38,000: To Landshut, Attack any enemy encountered en-route. Seize the bridge of the Isar and deny it to the enemy. March to the guns.
VII Corps (Lefebvre) 32,000: To 22:14, Hold, Delay the enemy as long as possible and pin them in position until the IV arrives behind their right flank and the Guard arrives to reinforce you.
Guard (Mouton) 16,000: To 22:14, Move to support the VII Corps, attack any enemy encountered en-route. March to the guns.

Logistic's
300 supplies ordered from Donauworth to Ingolstadt to reinforce the main depot.
100 supplies sent to Regensberg.
Gency ordered to leave Donauworth and march to Ingolstadt.
Engineers ordered to leave Ulm and march to Ingolstadt.

Napoleon leaves Eckmuhl to jion Lefebvres VII corps at 22:14.

[Didz]

1809: Turn 21: 21 April 1809 Bavarian Corps Shattered

Too late!

April 21, 1809

From : Lefebvre (VII)

Sire,

I have engaged the enemy at 23,14, the battle lasted 4 rounds. Our plan was a defence in depth, their plan was an escalating assault.

VII Corps
Infantry Strength : 28, Losses : 15
Cavalry Strength : 3, Losses : 1
Artillery Strength : 4, Losses : 0

Austria
Enemy Infantry Strength : 40, Losses : 9
Enemy Cavalry Strength : 12, Losses : 2
Enemy Artillery Strength : 3, Losses : 0

My men were forced to fall back.

As anticipated the Austrians descended on the Bavarian's of the VII Corps with a vengeance inflicting 8,000 casualties for the cost of 5,500. It could have been worse, at least none of the VII Corps Divisions surrendered but it was shatterred and is now streaming back towards Eckmuhl.

The attack on Hiller's Corps trying to escape over the Danube went much better with three more Austrian Divisions throwing down their arms and surrendering to Davout at 24:10.

Including:
Inf Div Dedovich - which escaped the battle yesterday
Inf Div Nordmann
Inf Div Richter
VI Artillery.



Orders for 22 April 1809

Today did not go quite according to plan but certainly could have been worse. The surrender of four more Austrian Division's at least two of which laid down their arms without firing a shot in anger was an amazing bonus making me wonder if I haven't stumbled upon some gliche in the AI somewhere. I doubt if I would get away with such bloodless victories against a human opponent.

I failed to get support to the VII Corps in time to prevent it getting mauled by the Austrians advancing from Landshut. However, my initial fears that I would lose the entire Bavarian Corps as an effective fighting force have proved to be unfounded. In fact, it looks like Ludwig's Division took the main force of the Austrian assault and has been shattered whilst Wredes Division and Bruyer were just badly shaken. The remainder of the VII Corps including Infantry Divisions Deroi (8,000) and Rouyer (7,000) plus the four batteries of artillery were not even phased by the assault and are still battle ready. Unfortunately, Lefebvre himself was totally stressed out by the days events and is no position to command them at present.

I think the best idea is to send Lefebvre back to Eckmuhl with orders to rally and restore Ludwig's, Wredes and Bruyer's Division and to place Deroi, Rouyer and the VII Corps artillery temporarily under Massena's command until Lefebvre settles his nerves.

As far as the strategic situation is concerned, following todays battles the overall picture is much improved from yesterday. The Austrian Corps which defeated the VII today does not seem to be planning to exploit its victory and if anything is retreating back over the Isar via the bridges at Landshut. Napoleon will accompany Massena's reinforced IV Corps to hasten their departure and capture the town, with the Guard acting in support.

On the Danube I shall leave Davout to complete the destruction of Hillers Corps and capture Straubing without further interference from me. However, the appearance of what looks like a fresh Austrian column just north of Regensberg deserves some attention. The column consisting of a single infantry and cavalry division with supporting artillery (15,000 men perhaps) may be hoping to retake Regensberg or move to support Hiller. Just to be on the safe side I shall order Lannes II Corps to occupy Regensberg and hold it, effectively denying the Austrians the use of the bridges over the Danube at this point.

Battle Deployment
II Corps (Lannes) 23,000: To Regensberg, Hold and deny to the enemy. March to the guns.
III Corps (Davout) 57,000: To Straubing, Attack any enemy encountered en-route seize the bridge over the Danube and deny it to the enemy. March to the guns.
IV Corps (Massena) 55,000: To Landshut, Attack any enemy encountered en-route. Seize the bridge of the Isar and deny it to the enemy. March to the guns.
VII Corps (Lefebvre) 7,000: To Eckmuhl, Hold, Rest your forces, recover wounded and replace your losses.
Guard (Mouton) 16,000: To Landshut, Support the IV Corps, attack any enemy encountered en-route. March to the guns.

Logistic's
No new orders.

Napoleon will accompany Massena's IV Corps in its advance on Landshut.

[Didz]

1809: Turn 22: 22 April 1809 Multiple Reports

A rather confusing day with multiple reports from Davout, Lannes and Massena all claiming to have fought the same battle and acheived the same results. I just hope the troops on the ground knew who was in charge.

April 22, 1809

From : Lannes (II)

Sire, I have engaged the enemy at 24,10, I was supported by other units, The battle lasted 5 rounds, Our plan was a probing attack, Their plan was a withdrawal.

From : Davout (III)

Sire, I have engaged the enemy at 24,10, I was supported by other units, The battle lasted 5 rounds, Our plan was a probing attack, Their plan was a withdrawal.

From : Massena (IV)

Sire, I have engaged the enemy at 24,10, I was supported by other units, The battle lasted 5 rounds, Our plan was a probing attack, Their plan was a withdrawal.

French OOB
Infantry Strength : 154 Infantry Losses : 0
Cavalry Strength : 38 Cavalry Losses : 0
Artillery Strength : 15 Artillery Losses : 0

Austrian OOB
Enemy Infantry Strength : 23 Enemy Infantry Losses : 11
Enemy Cavalry Strength : 0 Enemy Cavalry Losses : 0
Enemy Artillery Strength : 7 Enemy Artillery Losses : 0

My men forced the enemy to withdraw


Napoleon received Rosenberg the commander of the Austrian IV Corps today accepting the final surrend of his entire Corps which has been removed from play.



Orders for 23 April 1809

It is quite clear from the screen shot above that something went badly wrong with French command and control today. Lannes failed to occupy Regensberg getting caught up in the battle with the Austrians at 24:10 instead. Davout failed to take Straubing apparently for the same reason and even Massena seems to have contrived to get involved in this battle NW of Eckmuhl on the pretext of falling back before the enemy at Landshut over 30 miles away. To top this Lefebvre seems to have got his map upside down and is falling back on Augsberg instead of Eckmuhl as ordered. Even the Guard have somehow decided that they need to fallback towards Ingolstadt instead of attacking as ordered.

Clearly, Napoleon has some serious butt-kicking to do this evening to knock his commanders back into shape.

The strategic situation has not changed since yesterday although the delay seems to have allowed the Austrians to call up more troops.

The Austrian force near Landshut is now said to consist of 6 Infantry Divisions, 3 Cavalry Divisions and 2 Artillery Divisions (perhaps 75,000 men) although a third of these units appear to be retreating in disorder. In addition a new Austrian column has appeared on the road from Landshut to Landau consisting of 2 infantry divisions screened by a light cavalry division (25,000 men). Even so Massena and the Guard ought to be able to deal with them if they act quickly.

At Regensberg the Austrian force threatening the town has been strengthened by a further 2 Infantry Divisions increasing their strength from 15,000 to perhaps 40,000 men. Nevertheless Lannes must hold them at least until Davout can come to his assistance.

So my intention is to repeat much the same orders today as yesterday, only louder, and hope that this time my commanders pay attention.

The only major difference will be that Davouts III Corps will now move to assist Lannes to hold Regensberg whilst detaching a single Infantry Division to drive off the Austrian Engineers and take Straubing.

Battle Deployment
II Corps (Lannes) 23,000: To Regensberg, Occupy the city and drive out any Austrian's present then Hold and deny it to the enemy.
III Corps (Davout) 46,000: To Regensberg, Support Lannes, Occupy the city and drive out any Austrian's present then Hold and deny it to the enemy.
Morands Division 11,000 To Straubing, Seize the city engaging any enemy encountered en-route seize the bridge over the Danube and deny it to the enemy.
IV Corps (Massena) 55,000: To Landshut, Attack any enemy encountered en-route. Seize the bridge of the Isar and deny it to the enemy. March to the guns.
VII Corps (Lefebvre) 7,000: To Eckmuhl, Hold, Rest your forces, recover wounded and replace your losses.
Guard (Mouton) 16,000: To Landshut, Support the IV Corps, attack any enemy encountered en-route. March to the guns.

Logistic's
400 Supplies sent to Eckmuhl.

Napoleon will accompany Massena's IV Corps in its advance on Landshut.

[Didz]

1809: Turn 23: 23 April 1809 Regensberg Captured

Damn the Austrians captured Regensberg and not only that but 80 supplies too, and Lannes and Davout hardly made an attempt to stop them. Those two need to get their act together fast as there no seems to be a new Austrian column approaching Straubing from the direction of Landau.

In the south near Landshut a see-saw action seemes to have been fought all day with the opposing forces ending up more or less where they they were at dawn. Early reports suggested that Massena and the Guard were being driven back and conducting a fighting withdrawal but then they returned to the offensive and drove the Austrians right back into Landshut.

April 23, 1809
From : Massena (IV)

Sire, I have engaged the enemy at 24,14. The battle lasted 3 rounds. Our plan was a withdrawal. Their plan was a counter-attack.

French OOB
Infantry Strength : 20 Infantry Losses : 2
Cavalry Strength : 0 Cavalry Losses : 0
Artillery Strength : 0 Artillery Losses : 0

Enemy OOB
Enemy Infantry Strength : 42 Enemy Infantry Losses : 0
Enemy Cavalry Strength : 0 Enemy Cavalry Losses : 0
Enemy Artillery Strength : 0 Enemy Artillery Losses : 0

My men were forced to fall back
++++
From : Massena (IV)

Sire, I have engaged the enemy at 23,15. I was supported by units of the Imperial Guard. The battle lasted 3 rounds. Our plan was a frontal assault. Their plan was a defence in depth

French OOB
Infantry Strength : 50 Infantry Losses : 4
Cavalry Strength : 28 Cavalry Losses : 3
Artillery Strength : 6 Artillery Losses : 0

Enemy OOB
Enemy Infantry Strength : 41 Enemy Infantry Losses : 18
Enemy Cavalry Strength : 22 Enemy Cavalry Losses : 9
Enemy Artillery Strength : 9 Enemy Artillery Losses : 1

My men were forced to fall back
++++
April 23, 1809
From : Davout

Troops under my command have captured Straubing. Captured supply stocks : 0. Requisitioned supplies : 42
++++
April 24, 1809
Regensberg has fallen to Austria. Captured supply stocks : 80. Requisitioned supplies : 0



If the above reports from Massena are accurate he gave the Austrian's a severe beating. The casualty counts suggest that his frontal assault inflicted 14,000 casualties on the Austrians for the loss of 3,500 men. However it seems his attack failed to break the enemy defences and they were able to withdraw backover the Isar into Landshut unmolested.

Why Napoleon failed to take charge of this battle is beyond me, it has now been 48 hours since he decided to jion Massena's Corps. I desperately need a decisive victory at either Landshut or Regensberg so that I can combine my forces again.



Orders for 24 April 1809

I'm dissappointed that the Austrian's managed to capture Regensberg today. That shouldn't have happened and will now require more bloodshed and delay to put right. I am also somewhat puzzled by the fact that Massena and Mouton claim to have inflicted huge loses on the Austrians at Landshut and yet felt it necessary to fall back.

Today will see yet another attempt to acheive a decisive victory at either Regensberg or Landshut or preferrably both. Hopefully, today Napoleon will involve himself personally in the attack on Landshut instead of skulking about in the rear area's.

The only new development since yesterday is the appearance of an enemy infantry column on the Straubing to Landau road. This might be the lead element of another Austrian Corps but for the time being I am going to ignore it and rely on Morands Division to prevent it recapturnig Straubing.

Battle Deployment
II Corps (Lannes) 18,000: To Regensberg, Occupy the city and drive out any Austrian's present then Hold and deny it to the enemy.
III Corps (Davout) 42,000: To Regensberg, Support Lannes, Occupy the city and drive out any Austrian's present then Hold and deny it to the enemy.
Morands Division 11,000 To Straubing, Seize the city engaging any enemy encountered en-route seize the bridge over the Danube and deny it to the enemy.
IV Corps (Massena) 47,000: To Landshut, Attack any enemy encountered en-route. Seize the bridge of the Isar and deny it to the enemy. March to the guns.
VII Corps (Lefebvre) 9,000: To Eckmuhl, Hold, Rest your forces, recover wounded and replace your losses.
Guard (Mouton) 14,000: To Landshut, Support the IV Corps, attack any enemy encountered en-route. March to the guns.

Logistic's
No Orders.

Napoleon will accompany Massena's IV Corps in its advance on Landshut.

[Didz]

1809: Turn 24: 24 April 1809 Landshut Taken

Landshut was taken today, the Austrians abandoning the town without a fight and stream east towards Branau. Unfortunately Lannes and Davout once again failed to press home their assault on Regensberg apparently only making a probing attack with a small portion of the forces available to them. I think Napoleon will have to ride over there and sort them out.

Bernadotte's IX Corps (14,000) is approaching Nurnberg.


From : Lannes (II) and Davout (III)

Sire, We have engaged the enemy at Regensberg, The battle lasted 2 rounds. Our plan was a probing attack. Their plan was a defence in depth.

French OOB
Infantry Strength : 28 Infantry Losses : 2
Cavalry Strength : 26 Cavalry Losses : 0
Artillery Strength : 0 Artillery Losses : 0

Enemy OOB
Enemy Infantry Strength : 50 Enemy Infantry Losses : 1
Enemy Cavalry Strength : 8 Enemy Cavalry Losses : 0
Enemy Artillery Strength : 5 Enemy Artillery Losses : 0

My men were forced to fall back
++++
April 25, 1809

From : Mouton

Troops under my command have captured Landshut. Captured supply stocks : 0. Requisitioned supplies : 29
++++


Orders for 25 April 1809

Once again I'm dissappointed about the situation at Regensberg and Napoleon will definitely have to head over to join Davout and sort out the situation. Lannes' infantry are not fit to make another assault but Davout will be urged to put some real muscle behind his efforts to take the place before Napoleon arrives.

Lefebvre's infantry are still not recovered sufficient for further action but Bruyers Cavalry Division is and so it is ordered to Straubing to obstruct any attmept to retake the town.

Massena (IV) is ordered to pursue the Austrians towards Braunau. However, the Guard will be ordered to march on Landau with a view to cutting off any other Austrian troops stil on the west bank of the Isar.

Finally Bernadotte(IX) will advance on Regensberg recapturing Nurnberg, Neumarkt, Amberg and Schwandorf en-route.

Battle Deployment
II Corps (Lannes) 19,500: Withdraw to Eckmuhl and reform.
III Corps (Davout) 42,000: Attack Regensberg, Drive out any Austrian's present and deny it to the enemy.
Morands Division 11,000: To Straubing, seize the bridge over the Danube and deny it to the enemy.
Bruyers Division (1,500): To Straubing, seize the bridge over the Danube and deny it to the enemy.
IV Corps (Massena) 47,000: To Braunau, pursue the enemy retreating on that town. March to the guns.
VII Corps (Lefebvre) 9,000: To Eckmuhl, Hold, Rest your forces, recover wounded and replace your losses.
IX Corps (Bernadotte) (14,000): To Regensberg, via Nurnberg, Neumarkt, Amberg and Schwandorf, engage any enemy encountered en-route. March to the guns.
Guard (Mouton) 14,000: To Landau, seize the town, attack any enemy encountered en-route. March to the guns.

Logistic's
Line of Communication Head changed to Eckmuhl.
100 supplies sent to the Guard.

Napoleon will join Davout at Regensberg.

[Didz]

1809: Turn 25: 25 April 1809 Regensberg Re-Taken

I must state that I am beginning to doubt the veracity of my sub-ordinates reports. If Davout and Lannes are to be believed they inflicted 14,000 casualties on the Austrian Corps defending Regensberg (50% losses according to the numbers involved) for the loss of 4,000 to themselves and yet they were forced to fall back!!!!

I think someone's trying to make their failings sound less severe. On the other hand the Austrian's have abandoned the town and are now retreating towards Schwandorf, so maybe they did get a bloody nose. The amazing thing is that I made a profit on the supplies. When the town was captured I lost a supply depot with 80 supplies in it and having captured it back it now contains 132. Obviously, the Austrians don't eat much.[8|]

From : Davout(III) and Lannes (II)

Sire, We have engaged the enemy at Regensberg. The battle lasted 4 rounds, Our plan was a frontal assault, Their plan was a defence in depth.

French OOB
Infantry Strength : 49 Infantry Losses : 8
Cavalry Strength : 26 Cavalry Losses : 0
Artillery Strength : 0 Artillery Losses : 0

Enemy OOB
Enemy Infantry Strength : 49 Enemy Infantry Losses : 25
Enemy Cavalry Strength : 4 Enemy Cavalry Losses : 2
Enemy Artillery Strength : 5 Enemy Artillery Losses : 1

Our men were forced to fall back
++++
April 26, 1809

From : Davout

Troops under my command have captured Regensberg
Captured supply stocks : 0
Requisitioned supplies : 132

++++

[Drex]

I too have ordered the game(downloading it now but don't know if it will time out on me) and wondering if a printed map is available to overlay some plexiglass on it and use that to record intel.

[Didz]

ORIGINAL: Drex
wondering if a printed map is available to overlay some plexiglass on it and use that to record intel.

Yes. Steve Lohr produced one which he has made available to people on this forum. There is a thread somewhere which has details of how to obtain it. But if you have any trouble drop me an Email and I shall be happy to forward it to you.

There is also a map provided with the game which can be found in the Graphic's folder. Unfortunately this map does not have the towns named and so can be frustrating to use.

[Didz]

Strategic Review 25 April 1809

Now that the Austrian forces are falling back from both Regensberg and Landshut I think I can safely declare phase 1 of my offensive complete and unless a fresh Austrian Corps suddenly appears I can think about the next phase of my campaign.

Looking back over the previous 6 days I think my strategy worked quite well. The decisive battle at Regensberg on the 20th led to the total destruction of Rosenbergs Corps and the capture of 9 Austrian Divisions some of whom laid down their arms without firing a shot.

However, after that I think I lost the plot a bit. The whole idea of the strategy of the central position is that it allows you to move overwhelming force quickly against any threat by exploiting interior lines, whilst the enemy using exterior lines has march farther and faster to do the same thing.

I had that advantage but didn't really use it to full effect. My concern over the fate of Lefebvre's Corps on the night of the 20th prompted me to spilt my forces and the subsequent appearance of fresh Austrian troops north of Regensberg on the 21st resulted in me fighting a two front war where neither front really had the advantage of numbers needed to secure another decisive victory.

With the benefit of hindsight this was a mistake. The Austrian force advancing from Landshut mauled Lefebvre's Corps anyway and blocking its advance merely allowed it to retire over the Isar and fall back on Braunau.

If I had ignored it and concentrated my main effort on destroying the new threat to Regensberg the Austrians at Landshut may well have continued to advance on Ingolstadt or Augsberg. I might then have been able to turn my full attention to severing their line of retreat at Landshut and trapped them on the west bank of the Isar, adding yet another Austrian Corps to my trophy cabinet.

Anyway, its easy to be wise after the event. At the time I did not realise that the new Austrian Corps north of Regensberg was as powerful or determined as it proved to be. I actually thought it was a weak formation trying to escape and join Hiller. Had I realised it was going to as tough as it finally proved to be I may have taken it more seriously.

Still, I can't complain. According to the victory screen I have inflicted 124,000 casualties of the Austrian Army of Germany, captured 9 of its Divisions and shattered a further 3, for the loss of 25,000 men.

Not a bad result for phase 1.

Current Situation 25 April 1809

According to Petre the Austrian Army of Germany consisted of about 189,000 men, so somewhere there should be a further 65,000 troops to deal with. Hopefully most of these are involved in the hasty retreats from 'Regensberg on Schwandorf' and 'Landshut on Braunau'. However, intelligence reports state that there are 10,000 Austrians at Neumarkt plus uncommitted forces at Pilsen, Klattau, Wimperk, Budweis and Landau. There is also supposed to be a fresh column of 21,000 men at Braunau.
(See map)



I could also have the Army of Italy to contend with which could add a further 64,000 men into the mix if it arrives before the end of the scenario.

Overall, I think I am in a good strategic position. The enemies Corps are scattered over an extremely wide front from Neumarkt to Braunau with little chance of consolidating their forces. If the objective of the game were to inflict more casualties on the enemy than you suffer I could easily pick these isolated forces off one by one using the advantage of interior lines.

Unfortunately, victory depends on capturing towns and so I am forced to detach some of my units to do just that. The next stage of the campaign will therefore be a balancing act between the dispersing my forces to capture land and keeping a strong force together for dealing decisively with the remaining enemy formations.

Future Operations

The two primary campaign objectives are Budweis and Vienna and both are beyond my reach at present.

In fact I probably won't be able to reach Vienna before the scenario ends on the 10th May and Budweis is annoyingly located north of the Danube protected by heavily wooded terrain. It's too early to say whether either of these towns can be captured before 10 May.

The secondary objectives are Augsberg, Donauworth, Munich, Nurnberg, Pilsen and Regensberg. I already hold most of these and Bernadotte should seize Nurnberg shortly leaving just Pilsen in enemy hands.

Of the 13 minor objectives only two (Ingolstadt and Landshut) are currently under my control. Of the remaining 11, 3 (Cham, Klattau & Wimperk) are north of the Danube, 3 (Passau, Linz & Krems) are on the Danube and 1 (Braunau) is south of the Danube on the Inn.

I must admit until I plotted these out I had not appreciated that of the remaining VP's available 8 are located north of the Danube in Bohemia, 6 on the Danube including Vienna and only 1 to the south.

I am therefore going to change my plans and focus my main effort on securing the 8VP's in Bohiema.

I intend to form three columns.

My main force and central column will consist of Davout (III), Massena(IV) and the Guard. It will follow the line of the Danube with its initial objective being Passau.

The northern Column will be formed by Bernadotte (IX) and Lannes (II) it initial objective will be Cham and then Pilsen.

The Southern column will be formed by Lefebvre (VII) and Vandamme (Wurtemburgers) whose objective will be Braunau.
The main column will of course react to support either flanking column if heavy resistance is met.

Well that’s the plan. Lets see if it falls to pieces as soon as I fold the map away.

[VictorH]

Great AAR! Its' getting me to seriously consider buying the game. Keep it coming. Matrix should take heed and do this for every game, great Marketing.

[Didz]

ORIGINAL: VictorH
Great AAR! Its' getting me to seriously consider buying the game. Keep it coming. Matrix should take heed and do this for every game, great Marketing.

Thanks! Had the children over at the weekend and that plus work pressures has prevented me getting on with phase 2.

But I have every intention of finishing the campaign and the AAR. I should also add that whilst it is taking me a long time to play out this campaign with the AAR it is possible to play a compete campaign in one evening if you don't wrtie out everythnig that happens and what you intend to do next.

This is actually my fifth campaign though my first attempt at playing French on this scenario.

[Didz]

1809: Turn 26: 26 April 1809 The Pursuit of Bellegardes Corps

Napoleon himself led the pursuit of Bellegardes Corps as it attempted to retreat north towards Cham. On the evening of the 26th the massed cavalry of the III Corps caught up with the Austrian infantry forcing it to turn and fight. It was completely unsupported by cavalry or artillery and so Napoleon brought up as many units of the III and II Corps as he could find and launched a hasty assault in the failing light.

French OOB
Fraint's Div 10,500 infantry
Gudin's Div. 9,500 infantry
Hiliare's Div. 10,500 infantry
St. Sulpice Div. 3,000 Hvy Cavalry
d'Espagne's Div 3,000 Hvy Cavalry
Montbrun;s Div 5,000 Lgt Cavalry
III Corps Art. 5 Batteries

Austrian OOB
Inf Div Vogelsang: 7,000
Inf Div Ulm: 5,500
Inf Div Fresnel: 1,000

The French have cavalry superiority but the rough terrain will reduce the value of their superiority in artillery. With the light fading Napoleon urged his troops forward into an immediate assault

The Battle Unfolds

France (Hasty Assault) Napoleon v Austria (Withdraw) Bellegarde

Command Modifiers
Lannes, outstanding execution (+24%)

Napoleon's heavy cavalry spurred forward, the 6,000 Cuirassiers of St.Sulpice and d'Espagne's Division hurling themselves at the squares of Austrian Infantry and inflicting 4,000 casualties on the beleaguered Austrian's. As the sun began to set the infantry of Guidin and Hilaires Divisions arrived and began to add their weight to the attack inflicting a further 1,000 casualties. But it was too late to complete the Austrians destruction and as night fell the 8,000 survivors managed to slip away into the darkness.

In all the Austrians sufferred 5,000 casualties, the French 500.



Orders for 26 April 1809

The infantry of Lannes II Corps have been badly mauled during their early attempts to retake Regensberg and so will be detached and order to rest and replenish in the town before rejoining the pursuit of the Austrians. They currently have 2,500 wounded and so need time to recover.

Likewise Lefebvres VII corps currently has 2,000 wounded and will be ordered to rest in Eckmuhl until they recover.

The Cavalry of the II Corps together with the remaining Corps will continue the pursuit as ordered.

Marching Orders
II Corps (Lannes) 19,500: Pursue the remnants of Bellegardes Corps towards Schwandorf.
III Corps (Davout) 42,000: Pursue the remnanats of Bellegardes Corps towards Passau.
IV Corps (Massena) 47,000: To Braunau, pursue the enemy retreating on that town. March to the guns.
VII Corps (Lefebvre) 9,000: To Eckmuhl, Hold, rest your forces, recover wounded and replace your losses.
IX Corps (Bernadotte) (14,000): To Regensberg, via Nurnberg, Neumarkt, Amberg and Schwandorf, engage any enemy encountered en-route. March to the guns.
Guard (Mouton) 14,000: To Landau, seize the town, attack any enemy encountered en-route. March to the guns.

Detachments
Claparedes Div (6,500): Hold Regensberg, rest and recover wounded.
Tharreau's Div (5,000): Hold Regensberg, rest and recover wounded.
Morands Division 11,000: Hold the bridge at Straubing and deny it to the enemy.
Bruyers Division (1,500): Hold the bridge at Straubing, and deny it to the enemy.

Logistic's
There are only 145 supplies at the supply centre.

[Didz]

1809: Turn 27: 27 April 1809 Bernadotte Surrenders

In an amazing act of betrayal and cowardice Bernadotte is reported to have surrendered to the Austrian forces holding Nurnberg. Ordering the Polenz, Gutschmidt and Feilizsch to lay down their arms and allowing his guns to be carried off as trophies by the Austrian troops.

Napoleon is beside himself with a rage at both Bernadotte and his Saxon allies, which not even the surrender of the Austrian Fresnel Division can placate.

Lannes reports that his cavalry have re-captured Schwandorf and obtained 41 supplies from the town.

Orders for 28 April 1809

Lefebvre's Corps seems to have recovered from its ordeal at the hands of the Austrian's earlier and with the exception of its artillery and Arigghi's cavalry who still have wounded to recover it will march on Braunau as planned.

Logistic's

Fresh supplies have arrived at Eckmuhl which is just as well because Massena and Mouton are reporting that there corps are totally without at the moment.

200 Supplies to Landshut to establish a new depot.
100 Supplies to Massenna
100 Supplies to Mouton

[Didz]

1809: Turn 28: 28 April 1809 Massena meets firm resistance

The Austrian Infantry Division Vincent surrendered to Davout this morning when its retreat through Cham was cut off by Davouts forces. This brings the total of surrenderred Austrian Divisions to 12.

Elsewhere things have not gone so well.

A messenger from Bernadotte confirms the disaster unfolding just north on Nurnberg.

April 27, 1809
From : Bernadotte (IX)

Sire, I have engaged the enemy at 13,2, The battle lasted 2 rounds, Our plan was a defence in depth, Their plan was a escalating assault

French OOB
Infantry Strength : 22 Infantry Losses : 0
Cavalry Strength : 6 Cavalry Losses : 0
Artillery Strength : 2 Artillery Losses : 0

Austrian OOB
Enemy Infantry Strength : 29 Enemy Infantry Losses : 3
Enemy Cavalry Strength : 0 Enemy Cavalry Losses : 0
Enemy Artillery Strength : 5 Enemy Artillery Losses : 0

My men were forced to fall back

At the same time reports from Massena confirm that his pursuit of the Austrians towards Braunau had run into serious resistance.

From : Massena (IV) and Mouton (Gd)

Sire, I have engaged the enemy at 28,18, I was supported by the Guard, The battle lasted 2 rounds, Our plan was a escalating assault, Their plan was a defence in depth

French OOB
Infantry Strength : 83 Infantry Losses : 2
Cavalry Strength : 20 Cavalry Losses : 0
Artillery Strength : 6 Artillery Losses : 0

Austrian OOB
Enemy Infantry Strength : 42 Enemy Infantry Losses : 10
Enemy Cavalry Strength : 3 Enemy Cavalry Losses : 1
Enemy Artillery Strength : 4 Enemy Artillery Losses : 0

My men were forced to fall back

Once again it seems that we are inflicting the more punishment on the enemy than they are on us and yet are unable to hold our ground unless Napoleon is there in person to ensure it.

Orders for 29 April 1809

It is clear that Bernadotte's freshly arrive Saxon's are facing a full Austrian Corps and that at least three divisions of enemy infantry are occupying Nurnberg. It is also clear that this program inflicts a heavy morale penalty on troops who cannot trace an unbroken line of supply to a friendly depot. In fact it seems that troops in such a sitation will not attempt to fight their way out of the blockade even if they have supplies remaining but will probably lay down their arms without a fight.

Had I realised this would my early strategy have been any different?

Clearly by allowing the Austrian's to advance as far as Nurnberg I was indvertantly forcing Bernadottes Corps to surrender to the Austrians upon its arrival. Or perhaps, thinking abstractly, what is really being represented is that Bernadotte's IX Corps would not actually march to assist Napoleon if their line of advance was blocked by Austrian Troops.

However, at this point I am still happy with my original decision to allow the Austrians to advance as far west as they like. I am a firm believer in the old adage 'Never interrupt an enemy who is making a mistake.' and having just taken both Schwandorf and Cham there is no doubt that those troops currrently stationed to the west of these towns are in real trouble. However, I am cross about the surrender of the IX corps, I think given that it had supplies and in theory a clear line of retreat beyond the northern map edge, it should have either fought for Nurnberg or withdrew from the field. Better still it should have redirected its march to avoid Nurnberg and arrived later by a safer route.


Messena and the Guard are now 'out of supplies' and facing some resistance as they approach Braunau. Not wanting to risk further surrenders I will order them to suspend their aggressive operations and fallback towards Landshut until one of the many supply convoys heading their way arrives. I am also setting up a depot at Landshut just in case the direct supplies don't reach them.

In the meantime, Vandamme and Lefebvre's Corps are marching to assume the role of the southern column assigned to them on the 25th. So these two german corps will take over the responsibility for seizing Braunau, whilst Massena and Mouton will be redirected along the central Danube route once they are resupplied.

In the north Lannes has seized Schwandorf, effectively cutting the lines of communication to any troops operating around Nurnberg. Unfortunately with Bernadottes Corps now practically gone Lannes is alone on the Northern Bank of the Danube and is probably about to face a mass of retreating enemy troops trying to break out and reopen their supply lines.

It may therefore be necessary to re-assign Davout to the Northern column at least until Lannes corps is up to full strength.

Marching Orders
II Corps (Lannes) 17,500: Hold Schwandorf and Regensberg. Deny the enemy around Nurnberg any supplies or escape.
III Corps (Davout) 55,500: Pursue the remnants of Bellegardes Corps towards Passau.
IV Corps (Massena) 46,500: Hold position until fresh supplies arrive, fallback on Lanshut if attacked.
VII Corps (Lefebvre) 23,000: To Braunau, Seize the town and drive the enemy encountered before you. March to the guns.
Wu Corps (Vandamme) 12,500: To Braunau, Seize the town and drive any enemy encountered before you. March to the guns.
IX Corps (Bernadotte) (14,000): To Regensberg, via Nurnberg, Neumarkt, Amberg and Schwandorf, engage any enemy encountered en-route. March to the guns.
Guard (Mouton) 14,000: To Landau, seize the town, fallback on Landshut if attacked.

Detachments
Claparedes Div (6,500): Hold Regensberg, rest and recover wounded.
Tharreau's Div (5,000): Hold Regensberg, rest and recover wounded.
Morands Division 11,000: Hold the bridge at Straubing and deny it to the enemy.
Bruyers Division (1,500): Hold the bridge at Straubing, and deny it to the enemy.

Logistic's (551 Supplies available)
200 supplies to Landshut
100 supplies to Massena
100 supplies to Mouton.
Hospital Relocated to Regensburg

[Didz]

1809: Turn 29: 29 April 1809 (Rain) Bernadotte Recaptures Nurnberg

Well amazingly it appears that Bernadotte managed to save 11,000 men from the mass surrender of his corps and has just reported that he has occupied Nurnberg and captured 96 supplies. I can only assume that the Austrian Corps is withdrawing having discovered that it has been cut off by Lannes at Schwandorf.

Good news from the east also, where it appears that Massena and the Guard have successfully driven off the fresh Austrian troops blockng their advance on Braunau.


April 28, 1809
From : Bernadotte (IX)

Sire, I have engaged the enemy at 13,2, The battle lasted 4 rounds, Our plan was a defence in depth, Their plan was a frontal assault

French OOB
Infantry Strength : 22 Infantry Losses : 9
Cavalry Strength : 6 Cavalry Losses : 1
Artillery Strength : 2 Artillery Losses : 0

Austrian OOB
Enemy Infantry Strength : 30 Enemy Infantry Losses : 6
Enemy Cavalry Strength : 4 Enemy Cavalry Losses : 3
Enemy Artillery Strength : 5 Enemy Artillery Losses : 0

My men were forced to fall back
++++

From : Massena (IV) and Mouton (Gu)

Sire, I have engaged the enemy at 29,19, The battle lasted 3 rounds, Our plan was a escalating assault, Their plan was a withdrawal

French OOB
Infantry Strength : 97 Infantry Losses : 1
Cavalry Strength : 26 Cavalry Losses : 0
Artillery Strength : 6 Artillery Losses : 0

Austrian OOB
Enemy Infantry Strength : 13 Enemy Infantry Losses : 9
Enemy Cavalry Strength : 0 Enemy Cavalry Losses : 0
Enemy Artillery Strength : 0 Enemy Artillery Losses : 0

My men forced the enemy to withdraw
++++

April 29, 1809
From : Bernadotte
Troops under my command have captured Nurnburg,
Captured supply stocks : 0,
Requisitioned supplies : 96
++++

I shall need to prepare Lannes to receive the retreating Austrians from Nurnberg.

Orders for 30 April 1809

No change in orders from yesterday.

[Didz]

1809: Turn 30: 30 April 1809 (Rain) Davout reaches Deggendorf

Davouts III Corps have invested Deggendorf and are driving an Austrian Corps before them towards Passau.

Lefebvre's VII Corps cavalry are on the outskirts of Landau but it does not seem to be defended and so he should proceed directly on towards Braunau.

Massena IV Corps and Mouton (Guard) have paused just short of Braunau which is occupied by two Austrain Corps and are awaiting supplies.

Vandammes Wurttemburgers have reached Munich and will also be marching on Braunau.

There were no actions today but a glance at the situation around Deggendorf suggests that something must happen tomorrow as at least one Austrian Division has been cut off.