Rosenheim Campaign – Day 5

Campaign Map on 7 October 1813

Oudinot is anxious to continue his attack without delay.  But his overextended supply system will not support any further advance.  He must first move his forward depots to the right bank of the river Isar.

Schwartzenberg is desperate for a break in the fighting to regroup, resupply and reinforce his battered corps.   He does not have any supply problems, because he is falling back along his established depots.   To disrupt the Bavarian regrouping he orders 2^nd corps to clear the right bank of the river in front of Wassenburg.

Battle of Wassenburg – end of move 12

The battle was a repeat of the first battle on 4^th October.   Both corps started the battle with casualties, but the Austrians had one more brigade than the Bavarians.   Despite this they once more lost, and this time despite a number of opportunities to win.   It was a confused battle which could have gone either way.   At nightfall the Bavarians still held the bridge and rightly claimed another victory

Campaign Notes

Most single corps battles are quick affairs, and more so if they start with serious casualties.   This one would prove the exception to that rule.

Both corps had casualties from the earlier battle on the same ground.   Most brigades had at least 10% casualties.  The Bavarians had one brigade unfit due to 30% casualties.  In addition both corps had one infantry brigade absent on garrison duties. 

So 2^nd Austrian corps started with a definite advantage in numbers.   They advanced over the same ground as the earlier battle, and the Bavarians were content to wait for them to arrive.  

The game opened with artillery fire.   Normally the defenders have the advantage at this stage, but not today.   The Austrians sent their artillery forward and opened on the enemy cavalry.   The Bavarian gunners had only the artillery within range, a much more difficult target to hit.  Despite this neither side inflicted any casualties.

Eventually the Austrians had to advance.   The right hand brigade suffered artillery casualties, but passed morale and continued to advance.   Next move they were hit again and halted with 20% casualties.

The cavalry now moved forward, and were immediately charged by the Bavarian light horse.   The first round of melee was a draw, but the Austrians won the second.  As the Bavarian cavalry routed over the river the Austrian infantry advanced.

It was now two infantry brigades against two.   But the leading Bavarian brigade came under artillery fire and after two hits routed with 20% casualties.   They would rally towards the end of the game, but were too weak and too far behind to make any difference.

The remaining infantry brigade found themselves facing an elite jager brigade.   With the Austrian cavalry pinned behind the infantry, the jagers were able to form line.   A firefight developed, in which both sides lost 20% casualties but resulted in a draw.  

The cavalry finally found a gap and charged the jager brigade, who broke and routed.   The Bavarian gunners found shelter in the remaining infantry brigade who formed square and held the bridge until nightfall.

By nightfall both corps were battered and incapable of further offensive action.  But the Bavarians held the bridge and the Austrians retreated.

Not only did this unpromising game last the full 12 moves, but it was also a “cliff hanger” with the advantage changing sides at least three times.   At move 10 it seemed the Austrians must win, by the end of Move 12 they had lost and were in retreat.

Another very enjoyable wargame, even though I lost once again to Jan.