Game 75 : Rivoli II

This is the second battle of Rivoli. We had different players for this one and if anything, the battle was more intense. I've selected some pics to give a feel of the frenetic attack and riposte in this battle.

The above shows the Austrians undertaking an advance across a broad front. This has the advantage of initially stretching the French and making it difficult for Napoleon to concentrate any sizeable force. The woods, as in game 1, provide a good defensive anchor for the French centre-left.

On the far French left it is business as before with a small Brigade trying to defend against a superior Austrian force with ample light infantry, Grenzers. This cat and mouse battle would rage all weekend until the Grenzers were eventually dispersed. This sector, in fact all the sectors, became notorious for Austrians suffering officer casualties. The Grenzers on the left lost all 4 officers!!

Intense action in the centre. Initially cavalry attacks followed by an infantry assault. All Austrian attacks were checked, but none of the attacks broke. It meant that there were no opportunities for the French to try and exploit.

The French right flank we turned early in the battle. Reinforcements arrived and deployed to face this threat. Again, a battle of attack and riposte, by both sides, would meet with some success but, alas, no significant breakthroughs for either side.

This is the centre after the Austrian attack is repulsed and reforms up ready to ponder their next moves. Subtlety was not available in this sector. It tended to be mutual hammer blows!

The French have stabilised their left but there is no possibility of an advance in this sector as they are still badly outnumbered. Hiding at the back of the village area becomes the order of the day as the battle dies down. This battle was very even and ended up in a draw. The French held the field, the Austrians would withdraw without being molested.

	Play Test 2			15 Austrian Officers
French Formations	Losses %			Austrian Formations	Losses%
	Infantry	Cavalry	Artillery		Infantry	Cavalry	Artillery
Emperor Napoleon				D’Alvincy
Joubert	-	-	13	Lusignan	-	-	4
1st Brigade	19	-	-	Infantry Brigade	19	-	-
2nd Brigade	7	-	-
Cavalry Brigade	-	4	-	Reuss	-	-	100
				Infantry Brigade	8	-	-
Massena	-	-	4	Cavalry Brigade	-	27	-
1st Brigade	9	-	-
2nd Brigade	12	-	-	Vukassovich	-	-	13
				Infantry Brigade	5	-	-
Rey	-	-	29	Cavalry Brigade	-	38	-
1st Brigade	10	-	-
Cavalry Brigade	-	0	-	Koblos	-	-	0
				Infantry Brigade	8	-	-
Leclerc	-	-	17
1st Cavalry Brigade	-	19	-	Ocskay	-	-	4
2nd Cavalry Brigade	-	3	-	Infantry Brigade	14	-	-
				Cavalry Brigade	-	31	-
				Liptay	-	-	13
				Infantry Brigade	12	-	-

The losses were higher than the first battle, a reflection of the greater amount of intense fighting. I listed the number of Austrian officer casualties as this is high for a battle of this size. Very bloody!

The next battle will be the Battle of Ligny, new armies, new terrain and some rule new adaptations.

Enjoy! (forgot the pic of the players- getting old!)