305 Mariazell (8 November 1805)

Details
Written by: GMT Games
Category: Third Coalition (1803-1806)
Hits: 11768
Victory Results:
 36 %
Record a victory for BOTTOM ARMY  64 %
Total plays 58 - Last reported by Jamon79 on 2024-01-02 23:49:45

Mariazell - 8 November 1805

Historical Background
Von Merveldt’s small corps had escaped capture at Ulm, and was attached to Kutusov’s retreating Russians, when he received orders from the Austrian High Command to march to Styria to aid Archduke John’s army. Realizing too late he had marched straight towards the advancing French, he turned to retrace his steps. With Davout’s advance guard under the command of Heudelet de Bierre hot on his heels, Merveldt opted to make a stand at Mariazell. Taking advantage of the natural terrain in the area his worn out infantry waited for the French.
Bierre, wasting no time, attacked with the French lights in the center and his light cavalry to the south of the village. The French cavalry attack broke through forcing many Austrians to surrender.
The Austrian Grenzers counter attacked out of the woods, but failed to capture the French artillery. Mervildt’s Austrians, after a brief struggle, routed.
The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are in command. Can you change history?

 

Set-Up Order

Forest 3
Hill 4
Town 1

 

Battle Notes

Austrian Army
• Commander: Von Merveldt
• 4 Command Cards
• Optional 2 Tactician Cards

Line Infantry Grenadier Infantry Grenzer Light Infantry Foot Artillery Leader
6 1 1 1 1

French Army
• Commander: de Bierre
• 5 Command Cards
• Optional 4 Tactician Cards
• Move First

Line Infantry Light Infantry Light Cavalry Foot Artillery Leader
2 2 2 1 4

 

Victory
4 Banners

Special Rules
none

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Posts in discussion: 305 Mariazell (8 November 1805)
miketodd replied the topic:
#10401
5 months 3 weeks ago
Extremely close, and Austrians are lucky to take it 4-3. Initial melees break up and each side regroups. Came down to a do-or-die roll.
Riclev replied the topic:
#9140
10 months 3 weeks ago
Not sure how the Austrians win this. We started all the French units one hex towards their baseline and withdrew the Austrian artillery unit behind the town as suggested elsewhere, and the French still won 4-0 and 4-2 (one banner was a leader loss). On the plus side, both games took less than one hour in total so we could move on to another battle in the same afternoon.
kirkoa replied the topic:
#4003
7 years 5 months ago
Wow, the French light are up against it in a hurry. I played the French and lost 4-2, the cav on the right had smashed one massed battalion and had the other down to 1 block at games end. On the left, had taken the hill, but Grenadiers rudely obliterated what took it. In all, could not get flags to make Austrians run, and had to whittle them down and lost attrition battle. Good fun none the less!
Nightgaun7 replied the topic:
#1588
9 years 11 months ago
Pulled off a win with the Austrians in Mariazell, but we played with a modification I had seen recommended elsewhere - the Austrian artillery is moved one hex back, still adjacent to the town.

The French moved on the left, causing the Grenzers heavy casualties and forcing them back to the hills. After that it was a shoving match in the center between French and Austrian infantry. The French light were driven back, but the French line managed to reach the hills by taking ground after assaulting the Grenzers a second time. Luckily the Austrian infantry line was able to repulse them with heavy casualties shortly thereafter. Meanwhile, around the town, the Austrian infantry slowly pushed back the French cavalry, eventually scaring them into retreating to their baseline by the end of the battle.
Bayernkini replied the topic:
#1388
10 years 1 month ago
The problem with this scenario is the close setup. So the player, who goes first, have an advantage and with good cards a big advantage :)

Therefore the setup should have at least 1 or 2 row(s) more between the armies.
Michalxo replied the topic:
#1383
10 years 1 month ago
After 7-8 played games and all won by French I really will start playing/testing this scenario with Austrian going first.
Michalxo replied the topic:
#1352
10 years 2 months ago
Well, I have solo-played this one as my first Austrian scenario, and I was very delighted with it. It ended up 4-1 for French, but gee, I really thought, that Austrians will win this one, as there were so many French single units.. twice single infantry unit (one with leader), solo LC with leadear, two LC with leader. Apart from crazily great Leadership (2x LC with 2 and 1 block and full moved LN with leader) - destroyed 3 infantry units and full strength artillery. Awesome scenario!
I am looking forward to other scenarios :)
Mark-McG replied the topic:
#1275
10 years 5 months ago
even with a good start the Austrians seem to struggle in this one. Just not fast enough to chase down the French.
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