Ratisbon Campaign Day 2

17 September 1813 – Southern Germany – Day 2

The French attack Bad Abbach
7th French army – retreat to Dingolfing
8th French army – observe border
9th French army – attack Bad Abbach

The Austrian redeploy on border
1st Austrian army – regroup on border
2nd Austrian army – redeploy on border
3rd Austrian army – defend Bad Abbach

Situation
In the north 7th Bavarian army retreats to Dingolfing following their defeat at Prettendorf
1st Austrian army regroups on their side of the Landshut-Ratisbon border
This Bavarian defeat is a serious setback to the their campaign objectives
1st Austrian army is ordered to prepare to follow up, but to await developments in the south.

In the centre 8th Bavarian army hold their ground and wait to see what the Austrians will do
2nd Austrian army is ordered to concentrate on the border and await further orders

In the south 9th Bavarian army is ordered to attack Bad Abbach as planned
It is anticipated that if they can take the town it will deter any Austrian attack in the north
3rd Austrian army move 7th and 8th corps up to join 8th corps on the border
The Bavarian attack has been expected and is no suprise

Despite his defeat at Prettendorf, Marshal Massena is determined to press his attack.

If he can win at Bad Abbach he is convinced that Schwartzenberg will not attack in the north He has now lost the advantage of suprise, and each battle will now be a little harder to win

Battle of Prettendorf

Campaign Map

7th Bavarian army, commanded by Marshal Massena, attack Prettendorf
1st Austrian army, commanded by General Schwartzenberg, defend the border

The Bavarians have 12 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigades and 3 corps artillery
The Austrians have 12 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigades and 3 corps artillery

The first battle of the campaign is north of the river Danube, where 7th Bavarian army are ordered to attack the border town of Prettendorf

1st Austrian corps have one corps on the border as an advance guard. The remaining two corps are in reserve either side of Prettendorf.

Table at start of battle

The three Bavarian corps are deployed at the top of the table
2nd Austrian corps is deployed in the centre either side of the woods
1st Austrian corps is to the right of Prettendorf and 3rd corps to the left
All corps will move at the start of move 1

There are three battle objectives, all in the centre of the table
Hill on the left, woods in the centre, farm on the right
The army which holds at least two at the end of 12 moves will win

Table at end of battle

3rd Austrian corps hold the hill on the left
Three Bavarian brigades attacked the hill, all three were defeated
One Austrian brigade was routed, but rallied and returned
Infantry and artillery to the left of the hill were not engaged

20th Bavarian corps has taken the woods in the centre
Austrian supports either side of the woods were routed
Two Bavarian brigades took the woods after determined fighting

1st Austrian corps hold the farm on the left
Infantry supports to the left of the far m have been routed
The garrison has suffered 20% casualties, but holds firm

Summary

This was a hard fought battle which was decided during the last move

Games are often decided by which side has the luck to move first.
Or by good or bad dice at a critical time in the attack or defence
In this game both sides had equal amounts of good and bad luck
This made for a fast moving, unpredictable and very enjoyable game

The Austrians deserved to win, but it is not a good result for the campaign
The attacking army (Bavarian in this case) need to win two of the first three battles
This will force the defending army to withdraw and allow the game to move forwards
It will allow one of the battles to include the city, which is the campaign objective

If the attackers fail to drive the defenders back, they will have to retreat instead

Ratisbon Campaign Day 1

16 September 1813 – Southern Germany – Day 1

The French attack in the north
7th French army – attack Prettendorf
8th French army – observe border
9th French army – observe border

The Austrian defend border
1st Austrian army – defend Prettendorf
2nd Austrian army – defend border
3rd Austrian army – defend border

Situation
The French are deployed to the left of the Landshut-Ratisbon border
Their campaign objective is to take and hold the city of Ratisbon
There are three French armies each of three corps
7th army is in the north at Dingolfing
8th army is in the centre at Reisbach
9th army is in the south at Muhldorf

The Austrians are deployed to the right of the border
1st army is in the north at Prettendorf
2nd army is in the centre at Nittendorf
3rd army is in the couth at Bad Abbach
Each army has one corps on the border and two in reserve

The campaign opens in the north with the French attack on Prettendorf