Caldiero 1805 AAR

This is my first try-out for the new Austrian army on the new wargame mat. I've selected the Battle of Caldiero scenario.

On receiving word of Napoleon's victory at Ulm, Massena ordered an immediate offensive, despite being outnumbered.  

Archduke Charles planned to withdraw to Austrian soil, but Massena's crossing of the Adige forced the Charles to check the French advance, offering his army time and space to withdraw safely. Thus, the two sides met in the thick fog of October 30, spread out across a wide, hilly front. Both Massena and Charles had deployed considerable forces on the far bank of the Adige River with the hope of turning their opponent's flank. Their main armies met along main Verona road passing through the town of Caldiero.

Setup

The table set up with the Adige River in the foreground. The town of Caldiero lies just in front of the main Austrian position (centre) with the white-coated line strung out across the Colognola Heights . The French are massed around the village of Calderin (top-centre) with a small detachment in the marsh next to the Adige River (top-left). Caldiero and the Colognola Heights are the major objectives for both sides.

Turn 1

Duhesme's 4th Division advances (centre) to secure the village of Gambion for the French.

Mermet (bottom-left) detaches a regiment of Dragoons to support the French left flank. The Austrian's look much stronger on this flank and the French decide to take up a defensive posture.

Below is the view from the Austrian right flank with Simbschen's Division lining up along the Colognola ridge (left). The French sense the advantage in numbers on their left flank and immediately go on the offensive. The fog provides a level of protection from the Austrian artillery until it lifts in turn 4. Molitar's 3rd Division quickly advances towards San Zeno (centre). D'Espagne's Light Cavalry Division moves out to the far left flank to threaten the Austrian right flank. 

Looking from behind the Austrian left flank. The left flank divisions of von Reuss and Nordmann roll good command dice and are able to advance most of their forces. 

Vogelsang orders a brigade to occupy the Caldiero township (top-centre) while the rest of the Austrian 1st and 2nd Divisions hold firm on the ridge behind the town.

The Austrians need to keep their lines nice and orderly, for as long as possible, to offset their poorer command quality.

Turn 2

The respective centres of both lines remain static as the action happens on each flank. A regiment of Uhlans (bottom) is ordered to support the threatened Austrian right flank.

Looking from the Austrian left flank, Molitar rolls well and this allows him to lead a French infantry brigade (lower-centre) through the fog and up the slope against the waiting Austrian line. The remaining troops in the French Division take San Zeno (centre).

D'Espagne also leads his cavalry around the open Austrian flank with horse artillery in support (bottom-left). The Austrians have detached some cavalry (middle-left) from the centre to counter this threat.

The Austrians continue to advance on the left flank, maintaining good order and closing quickly with the waiting French forces behind Gambion (top-left).

Turn 3

The fog begins to lift but shooting is still restricted for this turn. Molitar's French Division fails to get the change in orders their situation demands and they advance to the base of the ridge (centre) and form up for a fire-fight with the Austrian defenders above them.

Similarly, d'Espagne's cavalry (far right) don't get the orders that would allow them to take advantage of their rapid flanking move. Instead they form up in line to meet the Austrian Dragoons that have charged across the back of the Austrian line to intercept them. The Austrians have also sent a second brigade of Uhlans (bottom-left), and the French cavalry will soon be out-numbered.

This is typical of the command dice rolls this turn, with the Austrians rolling well and the French poorly despite the better command quality of the French leaders. This has meant that the bulk of the French cavalry has stalled well behind the left flank (top-centre), and the accompanying horse artillery has also halted.

In the centre, the Austrian Reserve Division (bottom-centre) arrives in a rush and heads off to support the right flank. Both sides hold their centres steady waiting for the fog to lift and the events on either flank to unfold.

The Austrians continue their relentless advance on the left flank and form up ready for the assault. They successfully change to Attack Orders and await the rising fog to begin their attack next turn.

Turn 4

The fog lifts and the real battle begins! Molitar's French Division gets his Attack orders and charges up the slope against the Austrian line. The first regiment successfully breaches the crest (centre), pushing the Austrian Jagers back but suffer considerable casualties from the Jager muskets. The second regiment is sent packing from a determined Austrian counter-attack. The third regiment is pushed back stunned and the fourth regiment routs past San Zeno after sustaining heavy casualties.

The French and Austrian artillery exchange fire with minor hits to both.

Both the French and Austrian cavalry face off (bottom-right) but neither receives orders to engage.

It's a minor disaster for the French and it will take all of Molitar's talents to regroup his forces.

Massena sends forward the French centre (top-centre) as both flanks appear to be under pressure.

The Austrian Grenadiers eagerly await the attack, sitting safely behind fortifications and the town.

The Austrian left flank engages the French defenders around Gambion. Artillery and muskets exchange fire. Both sides have plenty of support and it looks like it will be a battle of attrition.

Turn 5

The Austrian attack on Gambion, on the French right flank, flounders as a regiment of Jagers is routed (top-right) and French Dragoons force a regiment into square.The French had left a nice gap for their cavalry to attack through, whereas the Austrian front is too congested for their cavalry to counter-charge.

The French push a brigade forward to threaten the town of Caldiero. French artillery put up a barrage of fire on the township to soften-up the defending regiment.

The Austrian Reserve Division cavalry (top-left) pours through the gap between the centre and right flanks to threaten Molitar's crumbling Division. There are no French cavalry nearby to counter this threat. All the cavalry on the left flank are massing to the left of the ridge.

The French continue to stumble on their left flank. Their artillery has been routed from it's position near San Zeno by sustained Austrian artillery fire (smoke is still visible on ridge). One of the routed infantry regiments has rallied in San Zeno but the other flees (right-centre).

The Austrian line bends slightly to meet the French threat as a Jager unit retreats (top-left). But a volley by the Austrian line pushes the lone French unit back down the slope.

The Austrian Dragoon brigade (top-left) charges into the French light cavalry (left-centre) and they retreat with several casualties. The Austrians have now brought up a Uhlan brigade as reinforcements as the remaining French cavalry enter the scene. It's all set for a big cavalry melee.

The Austrian Reserve Division cavalry threat to the French infantry can be seen emerging from between the Austrian centre (top-right). If they get in amongst the retreating French then it might be all over on this flank.

Turn 6

The Austrians now look to consolidate in front of Gambion and they have now moved onto the defensive. With a Jager regiment routing (top-centre), there is now a gap for the Austrian Hussars (right-centre) to challenge the French Dragoons pinning the infantry square.

The French have taken the opportunity to pull back a weakened infantry unit (bottom-centre) from the front line and will bring up a fresh unit to plug the gap next turn.

On the French left, the dice are finally falling the French way. A great command roll for Mermet's Cavalry Division, allows the French Cuirassier brigade (bottom-right) to put in a double move and skip from the right to the left flank in 1 turn! The marauding Austrian Hussars (centre) have destroyed an artillery battery and look set to do the same to a few infantry units.

Molitar has shifted to Defend orders and is rallying his infantry (top-left) to prepare for another assault on the ridge. If the Cuirassiers can intercept the Hussars then the French position on this flank may just be saved.

A view of the whole battlefield with the Austrians to the left and the French to the right.

The Austrians have maintained a strong position and shored up their right flank. While the Austrians maintain good order in their formation, their poorer command quality has been somewhat mitigated. Despite the advance on the Austrian left flank stalling, the pressure is really on the French to attack and take the two major objectives held by the Austrians, i.e. Caldiero Village and the Colognola Heights.

The Colognola Heights must wait until Molitar can rally his infantry. That leaves Caldiero in the centre as the obvious target. Both sides centres are relatively fresh and the French have their powerful Grenadiers in reserve near Calderin. However, it will require some bold moves by Massena and not a little bit of luck for the French to turn this battle around.

Turn 7

The aftermath of the French Cuirassiers and Austrian Hussars melee. The Cuirassiers inflicted some heavy casualties on the lighter Hussars but were embarrassingly forced to retreat (bottom-right). The Hussars took the opportunity to escape back to their lines (top-right).

Molitar's continues to rally his French infantry around San Zeno. 

The Austrians have formed a right angle on the ridge and both sides have massed Divisions of cavalry facing each other off (top-left).

Gardanne's 1st Division attacks the Caldiero township. The defending Hungarian infantry had been softened up by artillery fire over the last 2 turns and are routed out of the town back to their supporting cavalry. Vogelsang then leads a brigade to try and retake the town for the Austrians. But the French hold on resolutely and Vogelsang, himself, takes a hit.

Duhesme takes a hit from Austrian musket fire as the stalemate on the French right continues. Neither side wants to commit their cavalry in the cramped environment.

Turn 8

It's the half way mark of the battle and it's become a battle of attrition with no decisive blows being laid by either side. 

On the Austrian left flank, the routing Jagers have been rallied (top-left), and the Jagers in the marsh have inflicted one too many hits on a French regiment which has routed (bottom-right).

The French still hold the village of Caldiero and send forward more troops to consolidate their position.

The view from the French left flank. The cavalry look equally matched but taking the ridge is looking a formidable task.

Turn 9

The French Grenadiers in the reserve set up in the centre awaiting the call to advance. The battle is poised on a knife-edge and the elite French Division might be the difference. However, the Austrian centre is well protected by artillery batteries along the ridge and any attack will suffer heavy casualties.

The French left flank continues to rally itself and has pulled all infantry back to San Zeno to avoid the constant artillery bombardment.

The Austrian left flank has beaten back the French and have a very solid hold on their position. The French will have to look elsewhere if they are to win this battle.

The see-saw battle for the Caldiero township takes another turn with the Austrians recapturing the town (top-centre). The French surge forward again but the Austrians hold (for the moment).

Turn 10

Partonneaux seizes the opportunity of some good command dice to lead his Reserve Grenadier Division rapidly down the centre hoping to take the Austrians by surprise. There is a gap to the left of the Caldiero township protected only by the Austrian artillery. Massena looks on with surprise as he hadn't issued any attack orders yet!

The French open up a withering musket fire on the Austrian defenders in Caldiero and set themselves to pounce when the Reserve Division hits the Austrian line on their left flank.

The French right flank remains static as the Duhesme licks his wounds and the Austrians aren't enticed to advance further.

The French left flank is massing but Molitar's Infantry Division is in poor shape and will need a few more turns to be ready to renew the attack on the ridge.

Turn 11

The French Grenadiers survive the hail of artillery fire and close with the Austrian line (top-left). They fail to charge home and are taking a lot of casualties. Austrian Grenadiers move forward to fill the gap and oppose their French counterparts.

Gardanne assaults Caldiero and can't dislodge the stubborn Austrians (right-middle). However, the majority of Vogelsang's 1st Division is in poor shape and a determined attack by Gardanne is certain to secure the town for the French.

The view of the battlefield from the French left flank. Molitar's Division (bottom-centre) is ready to attack the Colognola Heights again next turn.

While the French position around Gambion (top-right) is at a stalemate, the centre and left flanks appear to be offering the best chance for victory with 5 turns remaining.

Turn 12

The Austrians hold onto Caldiero (top-left) by a fingernail after a determined attack by Gardanne's French infantry.

The French are losing the battle of attrition around Gambion (middle-centre) on their right flank with a number of units at breaking point.

Massena arrives too late and the French attack in the centre has taken a mauling. The Austrian defenders gained the early initiative and got another round of artillery and musket fire in before the French Grenadiers could drive home their attack. Three regiments rout (bottom-right and centre-left). A lone French unit (top-centre) has taken the Austrians guns on the ridge but they are all alone!

The French decide to launch a big cavalry attack on the left flank to coincide with the infantry attacks along the ridge. The aftermath of the melee has seen the French Hussars routing (left-middle) and the Austrian cavalry retiring back in relatively good order.

Molitar fails to coordinate his attack and his infantry just sit waiting around San Zeno.

Turn 13

This is a set of shots taken from the Austrian side.

No action on the Austrian left flank as the French hide behind Combian.

Despite heavy casualties themselves, the Austrians holding Caldiero assault one of the beseiging French units and rout them convincingly. Gardanne is also wounded in the attack. Austrian reserves move up behind Caldiero ready to relieve their comrades.

In the centre, the lone French Grenadier unit on the ridge is pushed back but holds on resolutely waiting for reinforcements? 

The cavalry seem worn from the furious melee on the previous turn. In the distance (top-right), d'Espagne chases his routing Hussars in the hope of rallying them before they exit the battlefield.

Molitar belatedly sounds the attack and his whole Division moves up the slope to the Colognola Heights. There is still a glimmer of victory possible for the French but they will need a fair bit of luck in the last 3 turns.

Turn 14

A view of the whole battlefield at the end of turn 14 with the positions of each command shown. Both sides reserves are now fully committed. The Austrians are holding firm on their left flank and township of Caldiero but the French are throwing everything they have at the Colognola Heights on the Austrian left flank.

The streets of Caldiero are strewn with bodies as the French again take the town only to be immediately overrun by the Austrians.

The French attack on the ridge is gaining momentum after initial heavy losses. Cuirassier join the attack to support the lone Grenadiers. Molitar's Division gains the heights after heavy fighting, over-running two artillery batteries. The Austrian position suddenly looks precarious!

Turn 15

The penultimate turn! In the fading light, Gardanne's French briefly take Caldiero for the third time and once more the Austrians find a fresh unit to retake the town. This time, Austrian Grenadiers advance around the right-hand side of the town to try and secure it from further attack before the game end.

The view of the Colognola Heights with the French storming the ridge!

Austrian Hussars have beaten off the Cuirassiers which had just pinned a regiment of Austrians in square (bottom-left). Moiltar's infantry, together with a lone Grenadier unit from the reserve gain a solid foothold on the ridge, pushing the Austrian right wing back down the opposite slope (middle).

Turn 16

As darkness falls, the French make a last ditch attempt to take the ridge. Molitar's Division fails to make any headway although they have secured a foothold on almost half the Colognola Heights. The Austrians have managed to hold onto a major part of the heights despite a host of units streaming from the field (top-centre). A charge by a full Cuirassier brigade is repulsed by Hussars and an Austrian Grenadier unit.

The Austrian centre finally takes Caldiero in force and Gardanne's exhausted troops retreat in disarray. The French right flank is little altered from early in the battle.

The final battlefield positions, Austrians to the left and French to the right. The Austrians hold one of the major objectives, Caldiero and still hold a significant proportion of the Colognola Heights, the other major objective. The overall result is a victory to the Austrians!

Austrians:

    Major Objectives - 1.5 (15 pts)

    Enemy units destroyed - 2 (10 pts)

    Guns captured - 0

    Enemy hits - 55 (55 pts)

    Total Score = 80 pts

French:

    Major Objectives - 0.5 (5 pts)

    Enemy units destroyed - 0

    Guns captured - 2 (10 pts)

    Enemy hits - 46 (46 pts)

    Total Score = 61 pts