Thann 1809

 The 1809 obsession continues. I was just about to move on from the events of 19th April when this popped up on a popular auction site:

I don't know if any of you recall this series but basically, Peter Heath was doing in the 80s what I am trying to do now - namely recreate historic battles in an accurate and hopefully enjoyable manner. He published a series of pamphlets detailing particular battles which were advertised in wargames magazines - I'd never actually owned any until now. This one covers all the battles of 19th April 1809 but I had already done quite a bit around Teugn/Hausen etc. so concentrated on the action just to the south where the Bavarians were deployed. In reality, Thierry was pretty much abandoned to fight the whole of VII Corps by himself but there were substantial Austrian forces nearby that only arrived late in the day despite their proximity. I included some of these troops otherwise it wouldn't have been much of a game. 

The table - Austrian V Korps are bottom left; Thierry's Brigade are in the centre around Kirchdorf and that's the Bavarians on the left approaching Biburg. I had to double the size of my Bavarian army for this battle - luckily had a few 'in stock'.

Starting Positions:

Thierry's Brigade occupies the high ground.

While the home team moves towards Biburg.

Turn 1:

A Bavarian General (probably Deroy) observes the enemy. (All figures converted from the Italeri Imperial General Staff set).

Biburg is occupied.

The Bavarians advance across their front - here Wrede orders up his cavalry and the heavy guns of the Corps Reserve.

                                            

                                            The Austrians seek to consolidate their position.
              

                    Thierry shakes out his force and establishes contact with Pfanzelter to his right.   

Turn 2:

Wrede moves up south of Biburg to intercept advancing elements of the Austrian V Korps.

 

Thierry remains out of range and so there is no action in the centre but Pfanzelter fires his battery to no effect.                   

.... And the guns of V Korps also echo across the valley but do the Bavarians no harm.

Turn 3:

The Bavarian left advances against Pfanzelter.

They move uphill against his Grenzer and overrun his sole artillery battery. Although the Grenzer prevail, the position is outflanked and the brigade seriously outnumbered. 

Pfanzelter opts to retreat, covered by his hussars whose sudden appearance panics the Bavarians who rout allowing the Austrians to draw off in good order.

                                        Wrede holds his position and dresses the line.

                              

                                    The Austrians move down from the hills to attack him.

Turn 4 (14:00)

The Bavarians face a dilemma; their units are smaller, so they will most likely lose a battle of attrition. Therefore they should attack and hope their superior morale drives the invader from the field but they are seriously outnumbered on their right and have been somewhat savaged on their left...

They go for it and move up across their whole front - here Wrede attacks, covered by his guns.

 Pfanzelter's brave hussars are overwhelmed 2:1 and the unit is wiped out.

Part of V Korps is thrown back and the Austrians lose a battery in front of Biberg.

Do I hear the Radetzky march? No - its not been composed yet but Radetzky has arrived and launches his uhlans in a bold flank attack. The Bavarians are sent reeling but the follow up is less successful so the uhlans fall back again.

Turn 5 - 15:00

The Bavarians continue to attack - forcing the Austrian right to change its facing.

Advancing uphill, Wrede's Division pummel V Korps and send them reeling. Just when it looks like the plan is working the V Korps reserve artillery arrives to save their comrades!

 

At Kirchdorf, Thierry's Austrians stand firm.

The revitalised Austrians turn the tables (and their guns) on Wrede's men!

Turn 6 - 16:00

STAY TUNED FOR MORE!