Eckmuhl
April 22, 1809
Convention Blurb: Eckmuhl, April 22, 1809. This more balanced than history scenario presumes that
Archduke Charles did not send the majority of his forces on a wild goose chase
on the night of April 21. The
French under Davout and the Austrians under Archduke Charles meet in rough
parity (Austrians have numbers, French have quality) on the banks of the Grosse
Laaber River. 15mm Volley and
Bayonet (Foundry Edition), 6-10 players, 8x5 to 12x6 table.
Historic Battle: The initial phases of the 1809 campaign in central Europe show the failings of the Austrian army in great clarity. Frank Chadwick has said, "It kind of reminds you of a campaign game gone very very wrong." All of the historic fights are very one sided with the French having overwhelming quality and quantity of troops. After pushing the Bavarians back from the River Iser, the Austrian army pushed North trapping the best Corps, the third, of the French army at Regensburg with its back to the Danube (with two more Austrian Korps on the other side of the Danube this is a dangerous situation indeed). Davout apparently trapped with no way out against 5 enemy Corps south of the river and two North, steps out to the West and blasts his way out of the pocket at Teugen where he only engages one Korps. In the meantime, Napoleon has arrived from France and quickly puts together several provisional corps. One corps is sent to cut the river crossings of the Iser and block the Austrian retreat. The rest smash into the center of the Austrian army driving the 5th and 6th Korps south. Mistaking the situation slightly Napoleon turns south to pursue what he thinks is the main part of the Austrian army. He sends Davout's Corps minus two divisions east to prevent what he assumes is the smaller part of the Austrian escaping over the Grosse Laaber river. If he does not find any Austrians south of the river he should turn north and clean out whatever is left north of the river and relieve the garrison at Regensburg. In the meantime Archduke Charles has regrouped the larger portion of his army North of the Grosse Laaber, cleared Regensburg and begun to move the 2nd Korps South. Mistakenly believing that Davout is still around Teugen/Hausen Charles sends two and a half Korps of his army attacking into thin air. Davout and Napoleon have by now figured out that there are more troops North of the Grosse Laaber than they had believed and reinforced Davout and Lefeber with Lannes Corps. Davout, Lefeber and Lannes troops (along with Napoleon) smash the Austrian 3rd Korps and push on to Regensburg. Charles uses the time bought him by the 3rd moves his attacking troops back over the Danube closely pursued by the French (close enough that Napoleon is wounded).
What Changed in the Scenario from History: This scenario makes two changes to history. The first is that the Austrians might actually be able to keep track of enemies that are within 10 miles of their HQ (Davout's moves from the west to the south of the Austrian army never exceed 10 miles from Eckmuhl). So in this scenario Charles keeps his army together. The second has to do with the realization by Napoleon and Davout that the Austrians North of the Grosse Laaber River were the main army. Historically Napoleon turns Lannes back and his vanguard arrives for the first day of the battle (just a skirmish actually) and everyone else for the second. So if the decision was half a day later all of Lannes Corps might not have arrived in time. For this scenario I am assuming that Davout and Napoleon either misestimate the threat or turn Lannes back too late for his entire force to reach the area in time for the battle. Basicially what is missing is Morand's division (detached from 3rd Corps) and some light cavalry. Messina who is following Lannes and arrives at the end of the 2nd day does not appear at all. If you wished to fight a third day then the remainder of Lannes should show up as well as most or all of Messina's Corps. The Austrians might get part of Bellegard's I Korps (the issue being keeping the Danube bridges at Regensberg open if you give them all of the Korps).
Judge Exhaustion Track French briefing and OB Austrian briefing and OB Game Labels Word 2000 Doc