Battle of Klagenfurt, Carynthia 6th June 1809
The terrain map was designed on Inkarnate and printed on a vinyl fabric as 6’ x 4’. This was one of the earlier experimental maps using the basic Free Inkarnate and the Fantasy battle map terrain. Terrain map basic layout courtesy of Michael Hopper’s scenario book Duel of the Princes 1809.
I find with in this case 10mm figures (provided by Mark) the 2D maps are the easiest to manoeuvre bases and Michael’s maps and positions of terrain make all the difference in the battle. So cheap, easy to store. This map was taken out of its packaging and carefully ironed before used. It is important to take the time to carefully iron out the creases from the back with a cool / steam iron and using a dish cloth to protect the vinyl. On the 6’ x 4’ map on photo print you get the 1” white box around the map. It does not affect the scaling and only loses a tiny piece of detail around the edges.
The scenario looks at Rusca who has increased the defence of Klagenfurt, while Chasteler set up a small screening force while trying to move the slow moving baggage train marched towards the East side of the map. Rusca decided to defend aggressively by attacking the passing column. Rusca’s Garrison with 1 foot artillery has; Julhien, has 3 Poor, 1 skirmisher, and Bertoletti who has 3 Poor and 1 skirmisher, and 2 light cavalry Chasseurs. Chasteler’s Austrian detachment with 1 light foot artillery (must be places in Fenner / Marchal’s deplyment zone) force has; Fenner: 1 average infantry, 1 Chevauxleger, Marchal: 5 poor infantry, Volkmann (who is optional, but if included is on reserve orders so must receive ADC orders to move): 3 average, 1 light cavalry Chevauxleger, Schmidt: 2 average infantry and 1 skirmisher.
Here I am Umpiring while Mark is playing the Austrians, and Colin is playing the French. The French have to place their 10 units + 2 skirmishers inside the 9 squares of Klagenfurt, each skirmisher deploys with 1 separate battalion in the BUA, the artillery will have to share with another separate unit (cannot fire while inside BUA). The French player then has to carefully consider where to place each unit and what exit they are going to leave from. The specifics for the baggage and victory conditions are in the scenario book. As they can only move from one section to another edge to edge. Schmidt’s orders are to follow the end of the baggage train.
This was a tricky battle for both and ended with a Draw 1 versus 1. The Allied French Italians were efficient at getting their troops out of Klagenfurt – being very aggressive as they were historically. But were they too keen to check the Austrian advance. They needed to capture baggage elements and none were able to cross the bridge over the canal. The Italians came too close with the cavalry that one unit was lost to the Austrian LFA. Was it wise for Juhlien with 3 poor units to take on Schmidt with 2 average? With the foot artillery on this side they could have punished Schmidt with a combination of foot artillery and volley fire! Or should they have sent the foot artillery out of the East gate and used it to destroy baggage trains trapped behind the bridge, as well as any that cross it?
The Austrains were too cautious to get across the bridge and send other infantry and some baggage. But they would need a square / infantry / square with LFA firing over the canal. Fenner with just 2 units and one as cavalry could have been best suited to get over the canal bridge, then supported by Marchal with units in BUA either side of the baggage train. They also took too long to call in Volkmann, but in this game was caused by ADC failing their rolls with the priority to get Schmidt to react and not be caught in the flank.
This is a scenario we helped Michael out by play testing over lockdown 2020. We had a virtual setup with Colin providing the terrain map and figures 20mm and doing the movement while in charge of cameras using old phones. I was in charge of the French and Simon was in charge of the Austrians over Skype. Here is some pictures of that battle.
I had my own chance to try the Austrians against Alan C as the French and it turned out to be a very close battle. The Italians were about to destroy Marchal and have a free for all on the baggage in turn 11, but the Austrians repulsed them and had 4 baggage trains on the other side of the canal to get victory points. Needless to say a rematch is planned at some point.
The historical outcome Rusca’s outnumbered garrison burst out of the town and quickly smashed Schmidt’s formation. While the initial attacks were successful, most of the baggage moved East and regained the Volkemarkt road. Volkmann ignored and order from Schmidt to join his withdrawal and was attacked in turn. Volkmann held until sundown and then moved to rejoin Chasteler on June 7th.
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