A Clash of Empires

~ The Danube Campaign 1809 ~

 

 

Historical Overview

 

It is the 16th April 1809.  The travelling coach of His Majesty the Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte races across the border into Bavaria and on towards the largest contingent of his scattered army.  Six days earlier a force of 90,000 Austrians under the command of Archduke Charles crossed the river Inn aiming to shatter the dispersed French forces and regain the territory lost to them after their humiliating defeat at Austerlitz.  Simultaneously, a second Austrian army crossed the border into northern Italy aiming to strike a blow against the French forces commanded by the Emperor’s step-son Viceroy Eugene. 

 

The stage is set for one of the bloodiest and most bitterly contested campaigns of the Napoleonic era, as two mighty empires clash to decide the fate of central Europe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                         Archduke Charles

                                

 

 

Emperor Francis             

Of Austria

 

 

                        

 

 

 

                                                                       

                                                                                                Napoleon Bonaparte

 

 

 

 

~ The Danube Campaign 1809 ~

CAMPAIGN RULES

 

FOREWORD

 

These rules are not designed to cover every situation that may arise throughout the course of playing the campaign.  The main aim was to provide a simple way of linking together a series of battles.  If a situation arises which the rules do not allow for then you will have to rely on those greatest of Hawk qualities: good sportsmanship and a resolve to put winning second to enjoyment.  Any suggestions for improvement will be gladly received for possible future revisions. 

 

HOW TO WIN THE CAMPAIGN

 

There are six battles to be fought.  The main aim is to win those battles with a minimum loss of men and equipment.  A record is kept of losses in much the same way as a record of shots is kept in a game of golf.  At the conclusion of all six battles the winner of the campaign will be the player who overall lost the least amount of units. 

 

Victory in certain battles will also give the winning player an advantage in a future battle.  This can take the form of more troops or enemy reinforcements delayed for longer. 

 

The battles must be played in chronological order as outlined below; there is no specific attacker / defender (this may be modified). Players must act as they think is best. 

 

1.      Sacile

2.      Abensburg

3.      Eckmuhl

4.      Aspern Essling

5.      Raab

6.      Wagram

 

As noted above a victory in one of the battles will put you in a more advantageous position in one of the later engagements.  The battles connect in the following way. 

 

Sacile (The armies start with no advantage)

Abensburg (The armies start with no advantage)

Eckmuhl (The winner of Abensburg starts with an advantage)

Aspern Essling (The winner of Eckmuhl starts with an advantage)

Raab (The winner of Sacile starts with an advantage)

Wagram (The winner of Raab starts with an advantage)

 

You should therefore have 10 maps downloaded to your maps folder:

 

  1. Sacile
  2. Abensburg
  3. Eckmuhl - Advantage France
  4. Eckmuhl - Advantage Austria
  5. Aspern Essling - Advantage France
  6. Aspern Essling - Advantage Austria
  7. Raab - Advantage France
  8. Raab - Advantage Austria
  9. Wagram - Advantage France
  10. Wagram - Advantage Austria

 

TIME LIMITS

 

Time limits play an important part to the game.  Each map has specific rules regarding the arrival of reinforcements.  The time limit before arrival is noted on the game map next to each contingent.  Please note that time limits between individual contingents on the same map vary so be careful.  Players should use the in game clock and may only move reinforcements once the relevant time period has expired.  Reinforcements may move immediately if attacked by the enemy.  I hope that I have positioned reinforcements in such a way that it easy to spot who can move when.  Contingents with no time limits may move from the start.

 

 

MINIMUM TIME BEFORE WITHDRAWAL

 

Minimum Time Before Withdrawal or MTBW is the minimum period of game time that must expire before either side can withdraw their forces from the battlefield.  The reason withdrawal is important is because if you have lost a battle you need to minimise your casualties so that you can hopefully recover in a later battle and go on to still be the player who suffered the least losses and win the campaign.  MTBW varies from map to map and will be recorded on the map in one of the corners so that both players can see what it is.  Of course battle lengths vary and players may continue long after the MTBW has expired. 

 

To withdraw your troops a player must go to menu and select surrender which instantly stops the game and gives victory to the other player.  At this point both players must check and agree the amount of units they have remaining on the field before quitting the screen back to the main menu.   

 

RECORDING THE LOSSES AFTER EACH BATTLE

 

Players should record both theirs and their opponents overall campaign losses on the recording card provided.  As you will see the recording card already notes the starting troop numbers for each battle.  Put the number of troops left in the appropriate column then calculate the difference by subtracting troops remaining from the starting troops number.  There is also a bonus if you win the battle.  The winner of the battle is the person who did not withdraw their troops first.  Subtract the appropriate bonus from your losses total for that battle.  The size of the bonus depends upon the importance of the battle just fought.  Once all six battles are complete total up the numbers in the total losses column to give an overall losses figure.  The person with the least losses wins the campaign. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~ The Danube Campaign 1809 ~

CASUALTY RECORDING CARD

 

FRANCE

 

BATTLE                 STARTING TROOPS       REMAINING TROOPS         BONUS?           CASUALTIES

      

1. Sacile                                   3,765   -                                                                 - 200  =

 

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2. Abensburg                           4,155   -                                                                 - 200  =

 

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3. Eckmuhl

    Advantage France               6,089   -                                                                 - 400  =

 

    Eckmuhl

    Advantage Austria              6,089   -                                                                 - 400  =

 

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4. Aspern Essling

    Advantage France               4,884   -                                                                 - 500  =

 

    Aspern Essling

    Advantage Austria              4,884   -                                                                 - 500  =

 

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5 Raab

   Advantage France                4,666   -                                                                 - 200  =

 

   Raab

   Advantage Austria               4,666   -                                                                 - 200  =

 

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6. Wagram

    Advantage France               7,233   -                                                                 - 600  =

 

    Wagram

    Advantage Austria              6,615   -                                                                 - 600  =

 

 

                                            TOTAL CASUALTIES FOR CAMPAIGN  =  _____________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

~ The Danube Campaign 1809 ~

CASUALTY RECORDING CARD

 

AUSTRIA

 

BATTLE                 STARTING TROOPS      REMAINING TROOPS         BONUS?            CASUALTIES

 

 

1. Sacile                                   4,065   -                                                                 - 200  =

 

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2. Abensburg                           4,207   -                                                                 - 200  =

 

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3. Eckmuhl

    Advantage France               5,701   -                                                                 - 400  =

 

    Eckmuhl

    Advantage Austria              5,701   -                                                                 - 400  =

 

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4. Aspern Essling

    Advantage France               7,621   -                                                                 - 500  =

 

    Aspern Essling

    Advantage Austria              7,621                                                                      - 500  =

 

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5 Raab

   Advantage France                5,111   -                                                                 - 200  =

 

   Raab

   Advantage Austria               5,737   -                                                                 - 200  =

 

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6. Wagram

    Advantage France               7,049   -                                                                 - 600  =

 

    Wagram

    Advantage Austria              7,765   -                                                                 - 600  =

 

 

                                            TOTAL CASUALTIES FOR CAMPAIGN  =  _____________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

WORKED EXAMPLE

 

 

The players in this example have played 1 out of the 6 battles.  At Sacile the French player was left with 1,456 units and the Austrian player with  987 units.  The two figures are recorded in red on the score cards.  The French player withdrew their forces first giving the Austrian player the victory for this battle.  The Austrian player is therefore entitled to the -200 bonus and deducts this from their total. 

 

The workings for the Austrian player are:

 

4,065 starting troops – 987 troops remaining = 3078 lost troops – 200 victory bonus = 2878 troops lost

 

The workings for France are:

 

3,765 starting troops – 1456 troops remaining = 2309 troops lost

 

 

 

 

 

~ The Danube Campaign 1809 ~

CASUALTY RECORDING CARD

 

AUSTRIA

 

BATTLE                      STARTING TROOPS              TROOPS REMAINING          BONUS?            TOTAL

 

 

1. Sacile                                   4,065                                                      987                         - 200                   2878

 

 

 

 

 

~ The Danube Campaign 1809 ~

CASUALTY RECORDING CARD

 

FRANCE

 

BATTLE                      STARTING TROOPS              TROOPS REMAINING          BONUS?            TOTAL

 

 

1. Sacile                                   3,765                                                      1456                       - 200                 2309

 

 

~ The Danube Campaign 1809 ~

THE BATTLE OF SACILE

 

 

Historical Overview

 

The invasion of Northern Italy by Archduke John caught the young Viceroy Eugene by surprise and the foremost French forces fell back in some confusion.  Quickly issuing orders for the concentration of his army Eugene decided to attack the Austrians with the forces immediately available to him, certain that the rest of the army would arrive in time to deliver the killing blow.  Some 35,000 French now face the vanguard of the Austrian army deployed around the town of Sacile, numbering some 40,000. 

 

 

The Austrian Situation

 

Your forces are deployed in strength along a low ridge line behind rough terrain.  You have a large number of infantry formations and artillery available to you.  Your principle weakness lies in a lack of heavy cavalry and a number of volunteer units that account for your numerical superiority over the French.

 

 

The French Situation

 

You have less troops then your Austrian opponent but they are all of good quality.  The enemy has control of a number of villages that will be hard to capture without sustaining heavy casualties.  The reinforcements that you expected will not arrive in time to affect the outcome of the battle.  A division of the Royal Italian guard is within marching distance and these crack troops will be crucial to winning the battle.    

 

MAP RULES (All recorded on the map itself)

 

The MTBW is 20 mins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~ The Danube Campaign 1809 ~

THE BATTLE OF ABENSBURG

 

Historical Overview

 

Whilst the campaign in Northern Italy has already begun the main armies in Bavaria have yet to engage.  This is all about to change.  The Austrian army has moved very slowly forward in its advance and has failed to deliver a knock out blow to the French before they could organise a counter attack.  With the arrival of Napoleon to the front the French are spurred into action.  Napoleon, in order to regain the initiative attacks on all fronts.  French forces under Davout, Lefebrve and Vandamme converge towards Abensburg to push back and destroy the Austrian II and V corps.

 

 

The Austrian Situation

 

You control two Corps of Austrian troops and therefore have large numbers of infantry, cavalry and artillery.  You also control the town of Abensburg which will be hard to capture.  You are likely to be attacked on three fronts and will have to avoid being out manoeuvred.  Also beware of the heavy cavalry available to the French.  

 

 

The French Situation

 

You are advancing on three fronts against a numerically superior enemy.  Your troops are of good quality and you have a number of heavy cavalry divisions available to you.  Heavily defended villages will prove costly to capture and should be avoided. 

 

MAP RULES (All recorded on the map itself)

 

The MTBW is 20 mins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~ The Danube Campaign 1809 ~

THE BATTLE OF ECKMUHL

ADVANTAGE FRANCE (VICTORY AT ABENSBURG)

 

Historical Overview

 

French victory at Abensburg has pushed the Austrian forces back towards the Danube.  Even so the enemy is retiring in good order towards Eckmuhl and although two Corps have sustained heavy casualties the majority of the Austrians remain combat effective.  Marshal Davout’s Corp has pinned the bulk of the Austrian army in a defensive position around Eckmuhl and is holding until reinforcements can move in and deliver a killing blow.

 

 

The Austrian Situation

 

You are in a strong defensive position with towns that can be garrisoned and fortified on either flank.  You have superiority in numbers until the French reinforcements arrive.  The cautiousness of Archduke Charles means that you will not receive any reinforcements, yet you control thousands of bayonets and the ability to win a victory and seize back the initiative. 

 

 

The French Situation

 

You have pinned the enemy to a defensive position and now need to destroy them utterly.  Reinforcements are en route including some divisions of the Imperial Guard.  Until they arrive however you are facing a stronger enemy in a good defensive position.  If you wait to long before attacking the enemy, however, you may find that they slip away with minimal casualties. 

 

MAP RULES (All recorded on the map itself)

 

The MTBW is 25 mins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~ The Danube Campaign 1809 ~

THE BATTLE OF ECKMUHL

ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA (VICTORY AT ABENSBURG)

 

Historical Overview

 

Napoleon has failed to seize the initiative by losing the battle of Abensburg.  The Austrian forces have converged on Eckmuhl where the over cautious Archduke Charles has adopted a defensive position with a large contingent of the Austrian army.  Marshal Davout has pursued the retreating Austrians but poor intelligence and scouting has allowed him to become isolated from the bulk of the French army. 

 

The Austrian Situation

 

You are in a strong defensive position with towns that can be garrisoned and fortified on either flank.  You have superiority in numbers and an isolated French corps deployed in front of your position.  Your scouts report that French reinforcements are en route but some distance away yet. 

 

 

The French Situation

 

You must hold your position until reinforcements are available.  Although precarious at present your situation is still strong.  Your troops are of good quality and if you can wear down the Austrians your reinforcements can sweep them from the field. 

 

MAP RULES (All recorded on the map itself)

 

The MTBW is 25 mins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~ The Danube Campaign 1809 ~

THE BATTLE OF ASPERN ESSLING

ADVANTAGE FRANCE (VICTORY AT ECKMUHL)

 

Historical Overview

 

Victory at Eckmuhl has forced the Austrian army to withdraw en masse behind the river Danube.  Although the army has sustained heavy casualties it has retired in good order and the cautions of Archduke Charles has preserved it as a fully functioning army.  Napoleon has full control of the campaign after a shaky start.  The Emperor now faces a tough battle to cross the Danube in the face of the defending Austrian army.  The French seize the Lobau Island to use as a staging point for the crossing and Napoleon decides that a lightening crossing over a single bridge will catch the Austrians unawares.  The crossing goes well at first seeing Massena and Lannes able to bring their commands over in full supported by a large number of heavy cavalry from the reserve Corps.  Disaster strikes and the single bridge from the Lobau Island to the northern bank is broken when hit by floating debris.  Napoleon is now isolated on the north bank until the bridge is repaired facing the full might of the Austrian army.     

 

The Austrian Situation

 

You are in command of the entire Austrian army and have a wonderful opportunity to smash a vastly inferior French force led by Napoleon himself.  The French are deployed around their bridgehead at Aspern Essling and have the benefit of two villages to defend.  Your army is arriving piecemeal a due to the speed with the French forded the river.  Delay, however, may allow the bridge to be repaired and the French to withdraw.

 

 

The French Situation

 

You must hold the bridge head at all costs.  Your advantage lies in the fact that you have at your disposal some of your best troops and two villages that can be garrisoned and defended.  Your lightning crossing of the Danube has caught the Austrians napping and although they vastly outnumber you they will not be able to bring their full weight to bear for some time.   

 

MAP RULES (All recorded on the map itself)

 

The MTBW is 30 mins

 

 

 

~ The Danube Campaign 1809 ~

THE BATTLE OF ASPERN ESSLING

ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA (VICTORY AT ECKMUHL)

 

Historical Overview

 

Even though they won a victory at Eckmuhl the Austrians decide to withdraw en masse behind the river Danube.  Although the army has retired in good order and Archduke Charles has preserved it as a fully functioning army.  The Emperor Napoleon now faces a tough battle to cross the Danube in the face of the defending Austrian army.  The French seize the Lobau Island to use as a staging point for the crossing and Napoleon decides that a lightening crossing over a single bridge will catch the Austrians unawares.  The crossing goes well at first seeing Massena and Lannes able to bring their commands over in full supported by a large number of heavy cavalry from the reserve Corps.  Disaster strikes and the single bridge from the Lobau Island to the northern bank is broken when hit by floating debris.  Napoleon is now isolated on the north bank until the bridge is repaired facing the full might of the Austrian army.    

 

The Austrian Situation

 

You are in command of the entire Austrian army and have a wonderful opportunity to smash a vastly inferior French force led by Napoleon himself.  The French are deployed around their bridgehead at Aspern Essling and have the benefit of two villages to defend.  Thanks to your orderly retreat the army is arriving en masse and it will not belong before all your troops are available with which to drive the French into the river. 

 

The French Situation

 

You must hold the bridge head at all costs.  Your advantage lies in the fact that you have at your disposal some of your best troops and two villages that can be garrisoned and defended.  The Austrians orderly retreat from Eckmuhl means that they have been able to concentrate their army rapidly and you can not rely on delays to the Austrian reinforcements.

 

MAP RULES (All recorded on the map itself)

 

The MTBW is 30 mins

 

 

 

 

 

~ The Danube Campaign 1809 ~

THE BATTLE OF RAAB

ADVANTAGE FRANCE (VICTORY AT SACILE)

 

Historical Overview

 

Viceroy Eugene’s stunning victory over the French at Sacile leaves the Austrians in full retreat.  Archduke John crosses back over the border and into Hungary.  Reinforced by a large number of Hungarian Insurrectionary troops the Archduke forms up along a ridge line near the fortress town of Raab.  The manoeuvring has brought both the armies close to fighting around the Danube between Napoleon and Archduke Charles.  The victor at Raab will be in a position therefore to reinforce their sister armies.  

 

The Austrian Situation

 

You are deployed in a strong defensive position along a ridge behind a marshy river.  You are not immune to a flanking manoeuvre however and should be careful of your flanks.  Your troops are of questionable quality with at least half of your force consisting of Hungarian insurrectionary troops. 

 

The French Situation

 

You have been reinforced with Grouchy’s cavalry division and must beat the Austrian troops so that you can march to aid your Father-in-law Napoleon.  You are weaker in numbers but the Austrian position is open to a flanking manoeuvre.  Beware fortified farmsteads that could cost you dearly in casualties.   

 

MAP RULES (All recorded on the map itself)

 

The MTBW is 20 mins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~ The Danube Campaign 1809 ~

THE BATTLE OF RAAB

ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA (VICTORY AT SACILE)

 

Historical Overview

 

Although victorious at Sacile the Austrian advance has become strung out and has stalled.  This slowdown has turned into a retreat and Archduke John crosses back over the border and into Hungary.  Reinforced by a large number of Hungarian Insurrectionary troops the Archduke forms up along a ridge line near the fortress town of Raab.  The manoeuvring has brought both the armies close to fighting around the Danube between Napoleon and Archduke Charles.  The victor at Raab will be in a position therefore to reinforce their sister armies.  

 

The Austrian Situation

 

You are deployed in a strong defensive position along a ridge behind a marshy river.  You are not immune to a flanking manoeuvre however and should be careful of your flanks.  Your troops are of questionable quality with at least half of your force consisting of Hungarian insurrectionary troops.  Victory at Sacile however has seen Hungarians swell to the Austrian banner and Archduke Palatine the commander of the Hungarian troops will arrive with reinforcements. 

 

The French Situation

 

You have been reinforced with Grouchy’s cavalry division and must beat the Austrian troops so that you can march to aid your Father-in-law Napoleon.  You are far weaker in numbers but the Austrian position is open to a flanking manoeuvre.  Beware fortified farmsteads that could cost you dearly in casualties.  

 

MAP RULES (All recorded on the map itself)

 

The MTBW is 20 mins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~ The Danube Campaign 1809 ~

THE BATTLE OF WAGRAM

ADVANTAGE FRANCE (VICTORY AT RAAB)

 

Historical Overview

 

Napoleon’s setback at Aspern Essling sees the Emperor spurred into a frenzy of activity.  Concentrating every available man including the victorious forces of Viceroy Eugene the Emperor builds a series of new bridges from the Lobau to the northern bank of the Danube in secrecy.  The Austrians fortify the area around Aspern Essling expecting another attack in that direction.  They are taken totally by surprise when the Napoleon launches his entire army across the new bridges and bypasses the defences.  The Austrians retreat to the Russbach Plateau which they have failed to properly fortify and concentrate around the town of Wagram.  The armies now face each other in what will be the bloodiest engagement of European history so far and a decisive battle in the outcome of the campaign.

 

The Austrian Situation

 

You are deployed along the Rossbach Plateau with the bulk of your infantry drawn up on either flank.  Although the French have surprised you in bringing across their entire army your position is strong.  Towns line the plateau which can be garrisoned and fortified and the large amounts of infantry under your control gives you the option of a counter attack that will cut the French of from their lines of retreat and crush them utterly.

 

The French Situation

 

You have been reinforced with Eugene’s army of Italy and have superior numbers to the Austrians.  You are deployed on the Marchfeld and are ready to attack the Rossbach Plateau.  Blundering on the part of Marshal Bernadotte commander of the Saxon Corps has left the town of Aderklaa on which your centres left flank rest unoccupied.  This has left the Austrians the opportunity to crush your left flank and move against your exposed centre.   

 

MAP RULES (All recorded on the map itself)

 

The MTBW is 35 mins

 

 

 

 

 

~ The Danube Campaign 1809 ~

THE BATTLE OF WAGRAM

ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA (VICTORY AT RAAB)

 

Historical Overview

 

Napoleon’s setback at Aspern Essling sees the Emperor spurred into a frenzy of activity.  Concentrating every available man the Emperor builds a series of new bridges from the Lobau to the northern bank of the Danube in secrecy.  The Austrians fortify the area around Aspern Essling expecting another attack in that direction.  They are taken totally by surprise when the Napoleon launches his entire army across the new bridges and bypasses the defences.  The Austrians retreat to the Russbach Plateau which they have failed to properly fortify and concentrate around the town of Wagram.  However, the arrival of the victorious Archduke John means that the Austrians have a numerical superiority.  The armies now face each other in what will be the bloodiest engagement of European history so far and a decisive battle in the outcome of the campaign.

 

The Austrian Situation

 

You are deployed along the Rossbach Plateau with the bulk of your infantry drawn up on either flank.  Although the French have surprised you in bringing across their entire army your position is strong.  Towns line the plateau which can be garrisoned and fortified and the arrival of Archduke John means that you have the advantage of numbers.  A counterattack could see the French driven back into the Danube and victory yours. 

 

The French Situation

 

You are deployed on the Marchfeld and are ready to attack the Rossbach Plateau.  Blundering on the part of Marshal Bernadotte commander of the Saxon Corps has left the town of Aderklaa on which your centres left flank rest unoccupied.  This has left the Austrians the opportunity to crush your left flank and move against your exposed centre.  Your scouts also report the arrival of Austrian reinforcements in the form of Archduke John fresh from his victory at Raab.       

 

MAP RULES (All recorded on the map itself)

 

The MTBW is 35 mins