Historical Overview
The Battle of Spicheren, also known as the Battle of Forbach, was a battle during the Franco-Prussian War. The German victory compelled the French to withdraw to the defenses of Metz. The Battle of Spicheren, on 6 August, was the second of three critical French defeats. Moltke had originally planned to keep Bazaine's army on the Saar river until he could attack it with the 2nd Army in front and the 1st Army on its left flank, while the 3rd Army closed towards the rear. More informations on Wikipedia.
The stage is set, the battle lines are drawn, and you are in command. The rest is history.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Spicheren
Prussian Troops
General Zastrow
5 Command cards
Move first
Prussian infantry (5 elements ) : 6
Prussian artillery (3 elements) : 3
Prussian Hussard (3 elements) : 2
Prussian Dragon (3 elements) : 3
Prussian Cuirassier (3 elements) : 3
Prussian Uhlan (3 elements) : 3
Prussian and allied generals : 2
French Troops
General Frossard
6 Command cards
French Line (4 elements) : 6
French artillery (3 elements) : 3
French Dragons (3 elements) : 1
French Chasseurs à cheval (3 elements) : 1
French general : 1
Victory
7 Banners
For Rotherberg (1 hex), Fonderie (1 hex), Stiring Wendel (2 hex), Spicheren (2 hex) completly occupied by a number of unit equivalent to the number of hex of the objective at end of game, one banner is gained
Each time two French unit escape by a hex marked with a French flag, one banner is gained.
Special Rules
none
French units
French Line (4 elements)
Movement 1 hex or battle
Battle Dice 4-3-2-2.
French Dragon (3 elements)
Movement 1-3 hex and battle
Battle Dice 3
French Chasseur à cheval (3 elements)
Movement 1-3 hex and battle
Battle Dice 3
French Artillery (3 elements)
Movement 1 hex or battle
Battle Dice 5-4-3-2-1
Prussian and allied units
Prussian infantry (5 elements)
Movement 1 hex or battle
Battle Dice 4-3-2-1.
Prussian Artillery (3 elements)
Movement 1 hex or battle
Battle Dice 5-4-3-2-2.
Prussian Dragon (3 elements)
Movement 1-3 hex and battle
Battle Dice 3
Prussian Cuirassier (3 elements)
Movement 1-3 hex and battle
Battle Dice 3
Prussian Uhlan (3 elements)
Movement 1-3 hex and battle
Battle Dice 3
Prussian Hussard (3 elements)
Movement 1-3 hex and battle
Battle Dice 3
Historical Overview
The Battle of Colombey-Nouilly took place on 14 August 1870. During the battle the escape route of the French army was blocked when the French encountered the German. The outcome of the battle itself was indecisive as although the French were able to escape, they were delayed for 12 hours. More information on Wikipedia.
The stage is set, the battle lines are drawn, and you are in command. The rest is history.
Prussian Troops
General von Steinmetz
6 Command cards
Move first
Prussian infantry (5 elements ) : 3
Prussian artillery (3 elements) : 2
Prussian and allied generals : 2
French Troops
General Decaen
6 Command cards
French Line (2 elements) : 1
French Line (4 elements) : 5
French Garde (5 elements) : 1
French artillery (3 elements) : 1
French Garde artillery (3 elements) : 1
French Dragons (2 elements) : 1
French Chasseurs à cheval (2 elements) : 1
French Garde Guides (2 elements) : 1
French Garde Cuirassiers (2 elements) : 1
French generals : 3
Victory
7 Banners
Special Rules
none
French units
French Line (2-4 elements)
Movement 1 hex or battle
Battle Dice 4-3-2-2.
French Garde (5 elements)
Movement 1 hex or battle
Battle Dice 5-3-2-2.
French Dragons (2 elements)
Movement 1-3 hex and battle
Battle Dice 3
French Chasseur à cheval (2 elements)
Movement 1-3 hex and battle
Battle Dice 3
French Artillery (3 elements)
Movement 1 hex or battle
Battle Dice 5-4-3-2-1
French Guard Artillery (3 elements)
Movement 1 hex or battle
Battle Dice 6-4-3-2-1
French Guard Guide (2 elements)
Movement 1-3 hex and battle
Battle Dice 4
French Guard Cuirassier (2 elements)
Movement 1-3 hex and battle
Battle Dice 4
French Fort St Jullien and Fort Queuleu (as artillery with 3 elements)
Battle Dice 5-5-4-3-2-1
Prussian units
Prussian infantry (5 elements)
Movement 1 hex or battle
Battle Dice 4-3-2-1.
Prussian Artillery (3 - 5 elements)
Movement 1 hex or battle
Battle Dice 5-4-3-2-2.
Prussian Uhlan (2 elements)
Movement 1-3 hex and battle
Battle Dice 3.
Prussian Cuirassier (2 elements)
Movement 1-3 hex and battle
Battle Dice 3
Reinforcements
Historical Overview
The Battle took place on 6 August 1870 in the opening stages of the Franco-Prussian War . Troops from Germany commanded by Crown Prince Frederick and directed by his Chief of Staff, General Leonhard Graf von Blumenthal, defeated the French under Marshal Mac-Mahon near the village of Wœrth in Alsace, on the Sauer River, 10 km north of Haguenau.
The stage is set, the battle lines are drawn, and you are in command. The rest is history.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_W%C3%B6rth
Prussian Troops
General Friedrich Wilhelm
6 Command cards
Move first
Bavarian infantry (4 elements) : 1
Bavarian infantry (5 elements) : 2
Bavarian artillery (4 elements) : 2
Bavarian Cheveauleger (1 element) : 1
Bavarian Uhlan (1 element) : 1
Prussian infantry (5 elements ) : 8
Prussian artillery (5 elements) : 4
Prussian Hussard (2 elements) : 2
Prussian Dragon (2 elements) : 2
Prussian and allied generals : 3
French Troops
General Mac-Mahon
5 Command cards
French Line (2 elements) : 2
French Line (3 elements) : 2
French Line (4 elements) : 3
French Line (5 elements) : 3
French artillery (3 elements) : 4
French Hussard (1 element) : 1
French Cuirassiers (2 element) : 1
French Cuirassiers (4 element) : 1
French general : 1
Victory
7 Banners
Each time a French unit escape by a hex marked with a French flag, one banner is gained.
Special Rules
One Bavarian infantry of 4 elements, enters on fourth tour by Prussian right section.
One Bavarian infantry of 5 elements, enters on fourth tour by Prussian right section.
One Bavarian Artillery of 4 elements, enter on fourth tour by Prussian right section.
One Bavarian Chevauleger of 1 element, enter on fourth tour by Prussian right section.
One Bavarian General, enter on fourth tour by Prussian right section.
One Wurtemberg infantry of 4 elements, enters on fourth tour by Prussian left section.
One Wurtemberg Artillery of 5 elements, enter on fourth tour by Prussian left section.
One Wurtemberg cavalry of 2 elementq, enter on fourth tour by Prussian left section.
One Wurtemberg General, enter on fourth tour by Prussian left section.
The river is fordable for infantry unit but unit has to stopped after crossing the river.
French units
French Line
Movement 1 hex or battle
Battle Dice 4-3-2-2.
French Hussard
Movement 1-3 hex and battle
Battle Dice 3
French Cuirassiers
Movement 1-3 hex and battle
Battle Dice 4
French Artillery
Movement 1 hex or battle
Battle Dice 5-4-3-2-1
Prussian and allied units
Bavarian infantry
Movement 1 hex or battle
Battle Dice 4-3-2-1.
Bavarian Artillery
Movement 1 hex or battle
Battle Dice 5-4-3-2-1.
Bavarian Uhlan
Movement 1-3 hex and battle
Battle Dice 3
Bavarian Cheveauleger
Movement 1-3 hex and battle
Battle Dice 3
Prussian and Wurtemberg infantry
Movement 1 hex or battle
Battle Dice 4-3-2-1.
Prussian and Wurtemberg Artillery
Movement 1 hex or battle
Battle Dice 5-4-3-2-2.
Prussian Hussard
Movement 1-3 hex and battle
Battle Dice 3
Prussian Dragon
Movement 1-3 hex and battle
Battle Dice 3
Wurtemberg reiter cavalry
Movement 1-3 hex and battle
Battle Dice 3
Historical Overview
The Battle of Wissembourg or Battle of Weissenburg, the first of the Franco-Prussian War, was joined when three German army corps surprised the small French garrison at Wissembourg on 4 August 1870. The defenders, greatly outnumbered, fought stubbornly.
The stage is set, the battle lines are drawn, and you are in command. The rest is history.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Wissembourg_(1870)
Prussian Troops
General Friedrich Wilhelm
6 Command cards
Move first
Bavarian infantry (4 elements) : 4
Bavarian infantry (5 elements) : 2
Bavarian Jagers (3 elements) : 1
Bavarian artillery (3 elements) : 2
Bavarian artillery (5 elements) : 1
Bavarian Cheveauleger (1 element) : 2
Prussian infantry(3 elements) : 1
Prussian infantry (5 elements ) : 9
Prussian Jagers (3 elements) : 2
Prussian artillery (3 elements) : 3
Prussian artillery (5 elements) : 5
Prussian Hussard (2 elements) : 1
Prussian Dragon (2 elements) : 1
Prussian and allied generals : 2
French Troops
General Abel Douay
6 Command cards
French Line (2 elements) : 1
French Line (4 elements) : 2
French Turcos (4 elements) : 2
French Mitrailleuse (3 elements) : 1
French artillery (5 elements) : 1
French Hussard (3 elements) : 1
French Chasseurs à cheval (1 element) : 1
French general : 1
Victory
7 Banners
Each time a French unit escape by a hex marked with a French flag, one banner is gained.
Special Rules
Two Bavarian infantry of 4 elements, enters on third tour by Prussian right section.
One Bavarian Artillery of 5 elements, enter on third tour by Prussian right section.
One Bavarian Chevauleger of 1 element, enter on third tour by Prussian right section.
One Prussian infantry of 5 elements, enter on third tour by Prussian center section.
One Prussian infantry of 3 elements, enter on sixth tour by Prussian center section.
One Prussian Artillery of 3 elements, enter on third tour by Prussian center section.
Three Prussian infantry of 5 elements, enters on third tour by Prussian right section.
One Prussian Artillery of 3 elements, enter on third tour by Prussian right section
Three Prussian Artillery of 5 elements, enters on third tour by Prussian right section.
Three Prussian infantry of 5 elements, enters on fifth tour by Prussian left section.
One Prussian Artillery of 5 elements, enter on fifth tour by Prussian left section.
One Prussian Hussard of 2 elements, enter on fifth tour by Prussian left section.
French units
French Turcos (4 elements)
Movement 1 hex and battle
Battle Dice 4-3-2-2.
French Line (2-4 elements)
Movement 1 hex or battle
Battle Dice 4-3-2-2.
French Hussard (2 elements)
Movement 1-3 hex and battle
Battle Dice 3
French Chasseur à cheval (2 elements)
Movement 1-3 hex and battle
Battle Dice 3
French Artillery (3 - 5 elements)
Movement 1 hex or battle
Battle Dice 5-4-3-2-1
French Mitrailleuse (3 - 5 elements)
Movement 1 hex or battle
Battle Dice 4-3-2-2
Prussian and allied units
Bavarian infantry (3 - 5 elements)
Movement 1 hex or battle
Battle Dice 4-3-2-1.
Bavarian Jagers (3 - 6 elements)
Movement 1 hex and battle
Battle Dice 4-3-2-1.
Bavarian Artillery (3 - 5 elements)
Movement 1 hex or battle
Battle Dice 5-4-3-2-1.
Bavarian Cheveauleger (1 element)
Movement 1-3 hex and battle
Battle Dice 3
Prussian infantry (3 - 5 elements)
Movement 1 hex or battle
Battle Dice 4-3-2-1.
Prussian Jagers (3 - 6 elements)
Movement 1 hex and battle
Battle Dice 4-3-2-1.
Prussian Artillery (3 - 5 elements)
Movement 1 hex or battle
Battle Dice 5-4-3-2-2.
Prussian Dragon (2 elements)
Movement 1-3 hex and battle
Battle Dice 3
Historical Overview
After the skirmish of Caltafimi Garibaldi's Thousand (Redshirts) advanced straight towards Palermo. Neapolitan General Landi retired to Palermo suffering many losses during the retreat and he found soon a new Governor of Island: Ferdinando Lanza, a man with confused ideas and plans. At the same time he wanted to defend Palermo and also wanted to retreat east to Messina. This was despite his having 20,000 men of the Neapolitan garrison under his command, supported by artillery and by the Neapolitan fleet. Garibaldi in contrast had just over 3,000 men.
Garibaldi decided to take a calculated gamble. He would move his men through the mountains south of Palermo and attack from an unexpected direction. His plan was to attack Palermo from the south east, while a diversionary force approached from the west. Once inside the city he expected the people to join the revolt, restoring the balance of numbers.
Garibaldi's first move was to move along the road that leads to Monreale and then onto Palermo. He camped and prepared to force the Neapolitans out of Monreale. For once the Neapolitan's took the initiative, and a lively attack early on 21 May dispersed the Sicilian bands of volunteers under command of La Masa and forced Garibaldi to move further south, onto the road that led from Corleone to Palermo. He took up a new position on a mountain above Altofonte (at the time named Parco). Then Redshirts moved east to Piana degli Albanesi but Garibaldi sent his five old guns, one hundred od sick and wounded men up along the road to Corleone. So the Neapolitans assumed that Garibaldi was going to retreat south away from the city and four best Neapolitan battallions, under command of Von Michel and Colonel Beneventano del Bosco, left Monreale, turned south and began to chase the believed Garibaldi's little Army on the run. In the meantime the Thousand, under cover of darkness, moved south and turned east, reaching first Marineo and then Misilmeri, south-east of Palermo just before midnight on 25 May. The day after Garibaldi joined up with a force of Sicilian rebels ('Picciotti') who had been raised in the eastern area of Palermo. Lanza believed that he was safe and that Garibaldi was retreating south, so the attack caught him unprepared. Infact most of the Neapolitan troops were deployed in the west and north of the city. The heart of Palermo was undefended, and the south-eastern gates were only weakly unattended.
Garibaldi decided to attack with 750 of his original Thousand, still armed with their old muskets and bayonets. They were supported by up to 3,000 local rebels, armed with a mix of weapons. Against them Lanza had around at least 17,000 men (with 4,000 on their way south to Corleone). However Lanza did not know exactly when and where Garibaldi would attack!
The first part of the attack started at the Porta Termini and began badly for Garibaldi: he had to force his way across the Ponte dell' Ammiraglio, a medieval stone bridge over the Oreto River. His troops were badly organised, with a small advance guard from the Thousand, followed by the Sicilian force, and the main part of the Thousand at the back. The defenders of the bridge opened fire as this column approached them and the Sicilians dispersed into the fields beside the road. This left the advance guard isolated and under heavy fire, but Garibaldi was able to get the rest of his men into the battle quickly enough to rescue the situation. Garibaldi was now near Porta Termini: the old gate itself was defended by a barricade but very few soldiers; also the Thousand came under fire from the Ponta S. Antonino while they attempted to get past the barricade.
Once they were through Garibaldi left them to the Fiera Vecchia (ancient market place). From the market the Thousand were sent out into the city to try and raise a revolt. The bells heard in the flock to call the people down to the streets. Large parts of the population came out to join Garibaldi, but they lacked any real weapons and Garibaldi had none to offer them. Lanza's response was to bombard the city, using guns at the Palace and on the Fleet. A more effective plan would have been to send his strong infantry force against Garibaldi, who was still very badly outnumbered. After a couple of hours even this bombardment stopped, and the rebels were given the time they needed to seize key points and build barricades. By midday the Neapolitans only controlled the area around the ancient Royal Palace, and the northern side of the town.
On the afternoon of 27 May Lanza decided to concentrate most of his troops at the palace, and ordered all the troops to move to the medieval Palace, while the troops heading south were also recalled. On 28 May Lanza realised he had isolated himself at the Palace. On 29 May Garibaldi's men made some real progress. The Cathedral area was captured, and the Neapolitans were forced to retreat and abandon the Archbishop's ancient Palace. Garibaldi's men now controlled several buildings facing onto the square outside the Royal Palace, but the Neapolitans launched a determined counterattack, and the front line was stabilised at the eastern end of the cathedral. Both sides were starting to run short supplies - Lanza's decision to concentrate most of his men at the Palace meant they were running out of food, while Garibaldi's men were beginning to run out of ammunition, but they were saved once again by Lanza, and by the Royal Navy! There was in the harbor bay the HMS Hannibal and Admiral Mundy had offered his flagship as a venue for peace negotiations. On the morning of 29 May he sent a letter to Garibaldi offering to arrange for negotiations and for a ceasefire. Garibaldi agreed to this offer, and a armistice was arranged to begin at noon. The peace negotiations were nearly sabotaged by Von Mechel, the commander of Swiss mercenary troops, thought élite units in the Neapolitan Army. After his first useless and poorly coordinated victories against Sicilian rebels in the country, his detachment came back from the south just after noon on 30 May and he attempted to fight his way into the city through the the same gate recently passed by Redshirts (Porta Termini). Von Mechel's men were forced to stop fighting by the combined efforts of a British officer and Neapolitan officers.
During the truce Garibaldi managed to buy some guns and stronger barricades were built around the Neapolitan positions. At the same time the Borbonici began to plan for an all out attack on the rebel positions, to be carried out at noon on the following day, but the plans were cancelled. The armistice was extended by three days and messengers were sent to Naples. But from the Court didn't arrive any encouragement and on 6 June Lanza signed a surrender document and the evacuation Neapolitan troops started on following day until 19 June..
The stage is set, the battle lines are drawn, and you are in command. The rest is history.
Giuseppe Bandi, I Mille da Genova a Capua, Firenze 1903
Marco Scardigli, Le grandi battaglie del Risorgimento, Milano 2010
Rickard, J (1 February 2013), Battle of Palermo, 27-30 May 1860, http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/battles_palermo_1860.html
Regione Siciliana - Sito Ufficiale
Camicie Rosse (Redshirts)
General Giuseppe Garibaldi
Command Cards - 6
Move First
 |
 |
 |
 |
| XX | XX | XX | XX |
Regio esercito borbonico
General Beneventano del Bosco
Command Cards - 4
 |
 |
 |
 |
| XX | XX | XX | XX |
Victory
6 Banners
All the hexes of the town of Palermo are Temporary Medal Objectives for the Redshirts Forces.
Condition of Victory for 'Garibaldino' Player: at least one victory flag must be one hex of Palermo town!
Special Rules
The river Oreto is fordable.
When General Garibaldi is attached to a unit will add one battle dice when this unit is battling.
All the Palermo's garrison Infantry units are “green” units. Green units must retreat 2 hexes when forced to retreat.
Two Neapolitan Infantry units represent the Von Mechel's Swiss mercenary brigades: these units can move two hexes but may not move and battle in the same turn.
Four Garibaldi's Infantry units are special Forces (Redshirts) and, unlike regular Infantry, may move 2 hexes and still battle.
Because of low quality of military experience and for poor quality of individual weapons, all the Sicilian 'Picciotti' infantry units of Garibaldi's Army always start with 3 figures per unit, in lieu of the standard 4. 'Picciotti' units benefited from a superior knowledge of the countryside and increasing support of the population. As such, Sicilian Rebel forces may disappear in the countryside, retreating up to 3 hexes instead of the standard 1 on any retreat flag rolled.
Optional: using a Neapolitan War Ship (must see 'Destroyers rules' of Memoir'44).
War Ship may move 1 or 2 hexes in Sea, but can never move onto Sea hexes adjacent to a Beach hex. A War Ship provides long-range, offshore artillery support, firing over a range of eight hexes at 3,3,2,2, 1,1,1,1 respectively. Place a War Ship on the map and three Targeting markers next to it. When a War Ship scores a hit on a targeted enemy unit, if the unit is not eliminated or forced to retreat, place a Targeting marker on its hex. The War Ship's guns have now zeroed-in on this target, and will fire +1 Battle die at it from then on. Note that markers are not cumulative in their effect. If the target moves or is eliminated, the benefit of zeroing-in on the target is lost, and the Targeting marker removed and placed back next to the War Ship. The War Ship may be targeted during combat. One hit is scored for each Sabers rolled against the ship. Place a marker on the War Ship to keep track of the damage inflicted. When a 3rd marker is placed on the Ship, remove the War Ship from the board, and give it to your opponent for him to place on his Medal Stand. It counts as 1 Victory point. The War Ship may ignore the first Flag rolled against it. If a War Ship must retreat, it retreats 1 Ocean hex for each flag rolled. If it cannot retreat, add a damage marker onto the War Ship instead.
Historical Overview
The Austrian leaders had expected an Italian invasion since the end of last war in the region in 1859. Austrians knew also that the Royal Italian Army, hastily cobbled together from the armed forces of several smaller states during the preceding five years, lacked a professional supply service and relied exclusively on hired civilian wagons to bring up its food and ammunition. Southern Army had an excellent staff organization: chief of it was Franz Freiherr von John. The officers at army headquarters in Verona saw themselves as the heirs to Radetzky, and went to war with great confidence but the army’s new commander, Archduke Albrecht, had little combat experience and he left planning to John.
On the other side the Italian leadership had much confusion: presented with two options to invade Austrian territory, the Italians chose both, dividing their forces between a thrust across the Mincio River, aimed at Verona, and one across the lower Po aimed at Venice. Austrian Southern Army had at most 70,000 men available for field action; the Italians put 220,000 into their two field armies. La Marmora’s force (unofficially called the “Army of the Mincio”) nominally brought about 140,000 onto the Custoza battlefield; but so many Italian divisions saw little or no action that at the key points the Austrians usually had local numerical superiority.
Alfonso la Marmora, accompanied by King Vittorio Emanuele himself, would lead the march on Verona. La Marmora’s campaign plan centered on the largest and most exposed of the fortresses, Mantova. With Southern Army believed to be far east of Verona, two of the three Italian corps would occupy a line between Peschiera and Verona, to stop Southern Army from interfering with the siege. On the 23rd of June La Marmora's Army crossed the Mincio river. The following day it resumed its slow advance and commanders assuming that the Austrians were not in the area. They did not send light cavalry units in reconnaissance. Meanwhile the Austrian Southern army had stolen a march on their enemy. Informed of the Italian advance by cavalry units, Austrians had moved to within striking distance of the Italians. Thought to be far to the east, Southern Army instead marched west from Verona to the north of the Italians, in an attempt to move behind the Italians so as to cut them off from the rear, and thus, slaughter them. Von John decided on a dawn attack on the Italians, hoping to catch them in march order. As the 24th dawned Austrians were on the move aiming to occupy the strategic hills around Custoza and on the flank of the Italian army's advance. Fortunately for the Italians, La Marmora changed the direction of his front, toward the same heights the Austrians were trying to use as launching point for their attack. So the Italians occupied the high ground with some units available, while efforts were made to bring the rest of the scattered Italian army to the battlefield.
Of the three main attacks planned by the Austrian leadership, Army's right wing would have the toughest assignment. The Reserve Division would march well to the west, then turn sharply south to seize the bridges across the Mincio. John do not appear to have expected either formation to run into heavy resistance in the twisting valley of the narrow Tione stream, where V Corps and the Reserve Division grappled with the Italians. On the Reserve Division’s left flank, Maj. General Gabriel Rodich’s V Corps would also march west, then turn south to occupy the heights few km. north-east of Custoza. In the center of the Austrian army, Feldmarschallleutnant Joseph Maroicic’s VII Corps had the task of occupying the Italian army's attention long enough for the flanking attacks to work their way around the enemy positions. To the left of Maroicic lay the Austrian IX Corps. Maj. Gen. Ernst Hartung: troops had the shortest march of all the Austrian formations, and had orders to attack straight out of Verona in the direction of Sommacampagna. At the far left of the Austrian line, two small brigades of light cavalry under command of Col. Ludwig Pulz. For the battle, John had strict orders for Pulz: the Italian right flank needed to be pulled forward, toward Verona, so the Austrian right wing could cut them off from their bases. Under no circumstances were the cavalry to attack the Italians. As is the way of careful battle plans, that was exactly what they did as soon as they spotted the Italian infantry. Although the attack was ineffectual, it created a panic in the Italian rear and immobilized three Italian divisions around Villafranca, who for the rest of the battle only took a defensive posture. 3rd Corps headquarters of General Della Rocca, 7th Division (Bixio), 16th Division (Prince Umberto I) and the Army Cavalry Division, were spectators. Though assigned a brigade of light cavalry to screen his troops, Della Rocca posted the horsemen behind his infantry. The indecisiveness of Della Rocca, allowed a large part of the Italian army to just stand around and watch the battle, rather than joining in perhaps decisively.
So the battle opened with an unplanned Austrian cavalry charge. Instead of an enveloping battle, the two forces collided head on, with both headquarters trying to discover what happened far from the frontline. Durando’s I Corps held the Italian left flank. Durando had four divisions,and left one of them on the western bank of the Mincio to watch for any sorties from the Austrian garrison at Peschiera. Maybe he simply wanted the division commander out of the way, Pianell, the former Minister of War to King Francis II of Naples. Some Italian officers suspected Pianell a traitor in Austrian pay. Meanwhile in the west Cerale's 1st Division had clashed with the Austrian Reserve Division around Oliosi and Monte Cricol. Cerale's Division was not fully deployed and in the fights for this area. After fierce fighting the 1st division was thrown out of Oliosi, broke, and fled to the Mincio. Along side them in the Santa Lucia and San Rocco area Sirtori's 5th Division was fairing slightly better. It to had bumped into the Austrian army, this time though in the shape of elements of Rodich's V Corps. Yet it was able to conduct a reasonable ordered withdraw to the area of Santa Lucia. Here they managed to stabilise their lines and the Austrian advance faltered.
Sirtori’s division was blocked from Monte Vento by Rodic’s other troops and by 8 AM, he was thrown back by fierce bayonet attacks. Brignone’s division had taken Belvedere Hill near Custoza after fighting with Hartung’s IX Corps. On Monte Croce the Italians were similarly enjoying success. Here elements of Hartung's IX Corps had advanced across the difficult terrain to attack the Italian grenadiers of 3rd Division on the summit. They struggled up the daunting slope but the grenadiers stood firm and repulsed the uncoordinated Austrian assault. So the tired Austrians retreated back and waited reinforcements to resume attack up Monte Croce against Italy's grenadiers. They were nearly surrounded by Austrians: the remaining forces on the heights had both of their flanks exposed and started to withdraw.
La Marmora noticed that the vital town of Custoza was not occupied. The Italian commander then ordered the divisions of Cugia (8th) and Govone (9th) up the heights to relieve Brignone. This forced the Austrian brigades of Böck and Scudier out of Custoza. Scudier then retired from the field, opening another gap in the Austrian line. Scudier withdrew and his brigade played little part in the rest of the battle. He was subsequently court martialled for cowardice after the battle. At this point in the battle, both sides were thinking they were facing a lost battle. La Marmora, deciding the battle was lost and wanting to secure his bridgeheads, ordered a retreat. Unbeknownst to La Marmora, Govone’s division had beaten back the VII Corps and captured Belvedere Hill. Rodich, in charge of the Austrian V Corps, had meanwhile been marshalling his forces for an attack. By 2 PM Rodic launched an attack on Monte Vento and Santa Lucia: his assault columns, smashed their way through the Italian line and gained these vital heights. When Sirtori’s division gave way, a hole appeared in the Italian line, which the Austrians exploited. Govone, who thought he had finally broken through the Austrian line, suddenly found himself isolated near Custoza. At this point, he was attacked in his other flank by Maroicic, at the same time Hartung’s Corps was ordered to restart the fight: after a bombardment by 40 Austrian guns, the Italians were driven out of Custoza at about 17:00 hours. This precipitated a general retreat of the Italian army, as individual soldiers and units.
Piedmontese generals, such as La Marmora, Della Rocca or Cialdini, had already proved mediocre commanders and poor mental elasticity, against the so-called 'brigands' in Southern Italy revolts (between 1861 and 1865). In the end, they won only after harsh repressions and brutality also against civilians. Now, against the Imperial Austrian Army they all showed their inability to command and take decisions and tactical inadequacy. Unfortunately, they were commanders of the first real 'Italian' Army, where there were good Neapolitan officers, such as Pianell, or Garibaldi's staff officers, such as Sirtori and Bixio, marginalized and looked suspiciously.
The stage is set, the battle lines are drawn, and you are in command. The rest is history.
- M. Gioannini, G. Massobrio, Custoza 1866. La via italiana alla sconfitta, Milano 2003.
- M. Scardigli, Le grandi battaglie del Risorgimento, Milano 2010.
http://www.avalanchepress.com/SecondCustoza.php
http://www.esercito.difesa.it/storia/Pagine/la-battaglia-di-custoza.aspx
http://www.wfgamers.org.uk/resources/C19/custoza.htm
Austrian Army
Archduke Albercht
Command Cards - 6
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| XX | XX | XX | XX |
Italian Army
General Alfonso La Marmora
Command Cards - 4
Move First
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| XX | XX | XX | XX |
Victory
7 Banners
The grey-bordered hexes are temporary victory medal for Austrian player; green for Italian player; Custoza is Temporary Medal Objective for both players.
Special Rules
Two Italian infantry units represent the Grenadiers' brigades: these units can move two hexes but may not move and battle in the same turn.
Italian infantry unit in Monzamabano represent Pianell's 2nd Division. Player may use them only after his/her fifth "Draw a Command Card" phase.
To reproduce the prodigious amount of coordinated assaults on the formidable hilltop positions in this scenario the "crossed-sword" dice result only scores one hit only if the infantry attacking unit is adjacent to the enemy.
Custoza is an hilltop village: unit defending it receive a double benefit.
The Tione stream is fordable.