Austrian 1 corps still under attack at Altheim, must detach 1 brigade to hold Passau bridge 2 corps are ordered to move to Franken to be closer to 1 corps. 3 and 4 corps enter tactical area
HQ - move to H5 1 corps - hold H2 2 corps – move to G5 3 corps – move to L2 4 corps – move to L5
Bavarian 10 corps continue to attack Altheim 11 corps retreat to Salzburg. 12 corps move to Branau
HQ – halt at E2 10 corps – attack G2 11 corps – move to E8 12 corps – move to E1
General Lichtenstein decides to move forward before the enemy can launch their attack.
Orders – Hold Altheim
5 Command Points
Change corps orders to “Move”
The artillery are manhandled forward into range of the enemy
One infantry brigade moves forward and forms square to protect the gunners
The Bavarian corps present a massed target as they make their final preparations for the attack on Altheim. The Austrian artillery have moved forward to take advantage of this opportunity.
Summary General Bertrand had not anticipated the forward movement of the enemy guns. He allowed his corps to become a massed target because he was confident that he was out of artillery range. However until his cavalry are in position on the flank they can not charge the enemy guns, and present a good target to them.
General Bertrand must bring his infantry on to the table and position them ready for an advance
Orders – Move to Altheim
4 Command Points
Artillery advance two moves
Two leading infantry brigades advance
1 Austrian Corps
The enemy are still out of range of the Austrian 6 pounder artillery
Routed cavalry continue to rout and are now well behind the Austrian position
General Lichtenstein has decidedto wait for the enemy to approach
Orders – Hold Altheim
4 Command Points
No action
The Bavarian infantry are now in position to advance. The artillery is ready to unlimber, and the cavalry covering the whole deployment.
Summary General Bertrand has used his time to deploy his infantry and artillery behind the cavalry screen, rather than risk his cavalry against the steady enemy infantry. However his dragoons are now in the way of the infantry advance, and he will have to decide how best to use them to cover the advance.
General Bertrand had to change his orders to Engage to clear the enemy cavalry out of the way.However his infantry are not deployed to engage the town, so he must change his orders to Move in order to deploy.
Orders – Engage Altheim
4 Command Points
Change corps orders to “Move”
Artillery advance
Leading infantry brigade advance
1 Austrian Corps
The enemy are out of range of the Austrian 6 pounder artillery
Routed cavalry flow around supporting infantry causing no disorder
General Lichtenstein decides to wait and see what the enemy will do
Orders – Hold Altheim
5 Command Points
No action
The routed hussars flow around the infantry support but do not cause any disorder
Summary It will take a little time to regroup the Bavarians to attack the town. Fortunately they are out of range of the Austrian artillery and can take their time doing so. The Bavarian artillery are 12 pounder who easily outgun the enemy lighter 6 pounder guns.
The Bavarians are unable to take advantage of the new “corps orders” rule, as their infantry is in column of march approaching the table, and they are too near the town to advance far enough for them all to enter the table. So Bertrand will have to bring them on one by one to reposition them at the table edge.
General Bertrand must delay his approach march until he can drive off the enemy cavalry screen
Orders – Move to Altheim
5 Command Points
Changes the corps orders to “Engage”
Forms cavalry in line and advance to charge move of the enemy
Move leading infantry brigade in support
1 Austrian Corps
General Lichtenstein must either engage the enemy cavalry or withdraw his own.He decides to join his hussars and charge the enemy cavalry
Orders – Hold Altheim
5 Command Points
He forms one infantry brigade in square, just in case he loses the melee
He then joins his hussar brigade and orders them to charge the enemy cavalry
The Austrian hussars lose the melee and rout
Cavalry Melee The Bavarian cavalry are medium, the Austrian light this means the former test with plus 1. The Bavarians roll 11 with 2D6.. The total is 12, a very decisive victory. The Bavarians lose one casualty and are disordered. The Austrians lose two casualties and rout. There are no Austrian supports to test morale. The Bavarians test morale but do not pursue.
Summary An exciting first move. The Austrians commander took a calculated risk. If he routed the enemy cavalry he would have delayed the attack for at least one day. He lost, and his own cavalry routed. This gave an advantage to the enemy, but not a decisive one. Without cavalry support he will have to fight a defensive battle and will find it difficult to counter the enemy cavalry. However he has the advantage of holding a town, not suitable terrain for cavalry.
1 Austrian corps have been at Altheim since 14 June with the aim ofpreventing communication between the garrison of Passau and Bavarian forces south of the river Danube.One infantry brigade has been deployed north of the table to hold the bridge south of Passau.They are aware that 2 Austrian corps is moving to Franken to support them
10 Bavarian corps has been ordered to advance west from Branau, attack the town of Altheim and join forces with the garrison of Passau.They are not aware that 11 Bavarian corps has failed to take Mattsee and have retreated south to Salzburg.
The battle opens at 1200 17 June 1813
Wargames Table
Altheim is the town in the centre
The centre road bottom to top is from Franken (bottom) to Passau (top)
The road from left to right is from Branau (left) to Raab (right)
1 Austrian corps is deployed in and around Mattsee.One infantry brigade has been detached to guard the bridge at Passau (off top of table).They have orders to hold the town, and must also hold the bridge at Passau.
10 Bavarian corps will enter the table on Branau road.They have orders to take Altheim and join forces with the garrison of Passau.
1 Austrian corps hold Mattsee.
4th infantry brigade has been detached to hold the bridge at Passau.
2nd jager brigade garrison the town.
1st jager, 3rd line and artillery in support.
Hussar brigade in front to delay the enemy advance.
Special Game Notes
The Austrian commander must detach one brigade to guard the bridge at Passau before the game starts. This brigade will not be available unless he sends orders to it. These orders can only be sent at the end of campaign move 16 or 17 – not during the wargame.
A new rule is being tested. When the corps commander wants more than one brigade to carry out the same order, and providing that they are within 2” of each other, he can use a “corps order”. Both commanders are Average so the cost of this type of order will be two command points.
10 Bavarian corps continue to attack Altheim
Tactical Map - Move 18
