The Battle of Caldiero, 30^th October 1805

While the main area of conflict in the campaigns of 1805 took place to the north, a much more even contest developed in Italy, between the Austrian army lead by Archduke Karl, and a mainly French army under Marshal Andre Massena. Infact, it could be argued that the Austrians had had the better of the campaign up until now, aided by a numerical superiority. However, with news of the disasters that had befell the main Austrian army, the Archduke Karl had to look for a way of extricating his force, and march north. Equally, Massena would seek to turn an Austrian retreat into rout if at all possible. The two forces met north of Verona, near the village of Caldiero, in a major battle, which took place over 3 days. Only the main action, that of the middle day, is covered by this scenario.

Austrian Briefing

The campaign has been a testing one. That wily fox Massena has managed to keep you at arms length, even though your army is numerically superior, and you have been unable to bring him to a significant engagement. Now you hear that the campaign at home has gone very badly (as you suspected, given General Mack’s absurd meddling), and you must withdraw from Italy. However, as the French march faster than you, an unmolested retreat will be difficult in the current circumstances. Massena has already become more aggressive, and this has given you an opportunity to attack, hopefully to neutralise his forces, and allow yourself freedom to manoeuvre at your own pace. There is also the fact that a victory over the French will boost morale, and enhance your claim to lead the Austrian army.

Austrian Order of Battle

Right Wing                             Simbschen (Poor)

1^st Brigade

St. George Grenz Regt.             1 btn^*      C class                      SK2

Erzherzog Ferdinand Hussars                   C class                      Light Cavalry

2^nd Brigade

Coburg Infantry Regt. #22        3 btns^*†   C class                      SK1

Hohenloe Infantry Regt. #26     3 btns^*†   C class                      SK1

Artillery

Position Battery              6x6lb guns         C class         

Centre                                     Bellegarde (Cautious/Solid)

1^st Brigade

Erz. Ferdinand Infantry #2        2 btns^*†   C class                      SK1

Jellacic Infantry #62                  3 btns^*†   C class                      SK1

2^nd Brigade

Grenadier btns                          5 btns      B class                      SK0

Artillery

Position Battery              6x6lb guns         C class         

Cavalry Brigade O’Reilly

Kaiser Chevaux-Leger                             B class                      Light Cavalry

Kienmayer Hussars                                  C class                      Light Cavalry

Cavalry Brigade Lorraine

Savoy Dragoons                                      C class                      Line Cavalry

Loevehner Dragoons                               C class                      Line Cavalry

Left Wing                               Reuss (Solid)

1^st Brigade

Vukassovich Infantry #48         4 btns^*†   C class                      SK1

Grenadier Battalions                 2 btns      C class                      SK0

Artillery

Position Battery              6x6lb guns         C class         

Cavalry

Erzherzog Karl Uhlans                             C class                      Lancers

Far Left Wing             Nordmann (Detached; Cautious/Solid)

Kreutzer Grenz Regt.                2 btns*    C class                      SK2

Erdody Hussars                                       C class                      Light Cavalry

Army Reserve                        Argenteau (Detached; Solid)

Lattermann Infantry #45            2 btns^†     C class                      SK1

Stipczicz Hussars                                     C class                      Light Cavalry

* 18 figure battalions

†  battalion artillery attached (always count artillery support when in combat)

Game Setup

The game starts at 10.30 am. All forces may start the game on any orders their commanders see fit.

It is very foggy. You know that your troops do not manoeuvre well in these conditions- perhaps you should wait until the fog lifts?

The game continues until 5pm (move 28 in LFS), or if the players agree to finish.