Two Sides of a River (Age of Eagles AAR)

I've rerun this scenario using modified Age of Eagles rules (at Regimental scale 1:60). This battle is based on Scenario 7 from Programmed Wargame Scenarios (by C.S Grant). The game is set in 1809 with the Austrians attacking the French. The Austrians use columnar and the French impulse doctrine.

An Austrian Corps (Red) is advancing down a river line but the French defender (Blue) does not know on which bank the Austrian force marches. Foolishly, the French have split their defence, spreading it over both sides of the river with only a single bridge linking them. This error is compounded by an absence of scouts to give early warning and early morning mist reducing visibility. The French are as strong as the Austrians and feel that they have little to worry about.

The Austrians rolled Force 34 while the French rolled Force 24. I have developed a conversion to equivalent Vom Kriege units with points values for each unit. Due to the lower quality infantry and leaders the Austrians get a bonus artillery battery and elite infantry unit. 

The following is the resulting Order of Battle:

Austrian Corps

1st Division

    3 Gren. (Elite), 2 Line (Regular), 1 Light (Regular), 1 Heavy artillery

2nd Division

    2 Line(Regular), 2 Line (conscript), 1 Light (Regular), 2 Light Artillery

Cavalry Division

    1 Heavy Cavalry (Elite), 2 Medium Cavalry (Elite), 1 Light Cavalry (Elite)

French Corps

1st Division

    2 Line (Elite Sk), 1 Line (Regular Sk), 1 Light (Regular Sk), 1 Horse Artillery

2nd Division

    1 Line (Elite Sk), 2 Line (Regular Sk), 1 Light (Regular Sk), 1 Light Artillery

Cavalry Division

    1 Heavy Cavalry (Elite), 1 Medium Cavalry (Regular), 1 Light Cavalry (Regular)

The French objective is to hold the river valley and prevent the Austrian advance east.

The French force is split 45% south, 55% north. 1st Division is placed north with the medium and light cavalry. 2nd Division is on the south side with the heavy cavalry. The line of defence is north-south through the bridge as shown below.

The Austrians order of march is for half the cavalry to lead followed by 1st Division then the remaining cavalry and lastly 2nd Division. The Austrians roll for which side of the river they advance and that turns up on the south side. Then they roll for when the mist clears and opposing sides can see each other. They roll for line 1, the closest position to the French, and set up ready for a quick attack (see below). Interestingly this is exactly the same as was rolled in the first run of this scenario, so it will be a good test of the use of different rules.

The initial programmed response for the Austrians is to aim to destroy all enemy facing the southern route and press on with all haste.

The initial French programmed response is to redeploy some forces to strengthen the hold on the bridge, but not to reinforce the far bank. Artillery can be repositioned to enfilade the enemy on the other side of the river. There is still a fear that there could be the arrival of fresh Austrian forces on the north of the river.

Turn 1

The Austrians win the initiative and advance off the road towrds the French line south of the river.

The French artillery opens up, silencing the Austrian guns and disordering the lead Austrian cavalry unit.

French cuirassiers move out to meet the Austrian cavalry.

The French, north of the river re-orient to provide flanking fire on the advancing Austrians.

Turn 2

The French win the initiative and the cuirassiers charge the disordered Austrian hussars. The hussars rally but take the charge stationary. But a poor roll see them lose the melee against the Austrians and they recall back to their line.

The Austrians columns move up to within charge distance and the Austrian cavalry heads for the open French left flank.

Artillery fire by both sides is ineffective.

Turn 3

The French roll for their response and now can redeploy their forces to the south side with all haste.

The Austrians win the initiative and drive their attacks into the French line. One infantry unit is checked after heavy fire and the other unit succcessfully makes contact. But a poor die roll in the melee sees the Austrians driven back. Subsequent artillery fire causes more losses.

The flanking French unit manages to form square as Austrian cavalry charges. Another poor roll in the melee sees the Austrians taking two hits and routing back.

Great French rolls see the Austrian initial attack crumble. The only bright spot is the gap in the line where the French have formed square, and the Austrian cavalry heads for it.

Turn 4

The Austrian infantry charges the French square and win a decisive victory. Likewise, the Austrian hussars dispatch the French cuirassiers who are then finished off on the breakthrough by the infantry. This leaves a yawning gap on the French left flank.

The Austrian infantry also push back the French unit in front of the village.

The right-hand side of the French line continues to hold firm, inflicting more losses on the Austrians. The French have also managed to get two units across the bridge to bolster the position. 

Turn 5

The Austrians win the initiative again and continue with their attack to the right of the village. Austrian infantry and cavalry breakthrough and push the French back into a defensive line at right angles to their main line. Two fresh French units support this line after crossing the bridge. French cavalry also starts to cross.

The Austrian artillery eventually destroy the French battery across the river as the Austrians reform their attack on the French right flank next to the river.

Turn 6

Austrian cavalry moves around the forest on the French left flank and French cavalry move to intercept.

Four Austrian units launch a major attack on both the village and the French line adjacent to the river. However, both fail and are pushed back with further losses. 

The Austrian losses are building while the French are bringing more fresh units to the defense of the bridge and village. There's probably only one attack left for the Austrians.

Turn 7

The Austrian and French cavalry meet in a melee to the left of the forest. The French win narrowly and push the Austrians back.

The French right flank has been bolstered by a second unit. The Austrians attack again on this flank but 

suffer heavily in the ensuing melee.

Another attack goes in on the village and this time the Austrians are successful, pushing the French out and occupying the village themselves.

Asutrians hussars charge the French line to the left of the village but the French form square and easily see off the hussars.

The last French infantry unit heads to cross the bridge. It's still a close battle, although many of the Austrian units are either worn or spent. Capturing the village has given the Austrians a tactical victory.

Turn 8

Luck turns for the Austrians as a last-ditched attack on the French left flank is very successful. The French line is pushed back with heavy losses.

The Austrian artillery is now let loose on the French right flank.

This is a huge turn-around and it is now the French turn to try and salvage their position, otherwise it looks like an Austrian victory.

Turn 9

The Austrian artillery blast the leading French unit away and the French start withdrawing. 

The cavalry have again fought a draw and it looks like the French will likely escape down the road.

However, it has been a remarkable victory for the Austrians. Almost down for the count, their last two attacks were very successful. The Austrian artillery will also soon blow the French away if they try and hold the bridge.