Tag Archives: General D Armee

August 4th 1796 Battle of Lonato Wargame Scenario

From August 3rd to 5th, it was a crucial week of action for Napoleon in Northern Italy. Nearly a dozen actions were fought, and at Lonato, Napoleon was almost captured. On August 4th, Napoleon was positioned near the rear with approximately 1,200 men. Austrian forces were moving to reinforce their positions when 3,000 stumbled upon Napoleon’s position. With a successful ruse, Napoleon forced the Austrians to surrender.

The actions of August 3rd and 4th allowed Napoleon to put his full force of 30,000 against the smaller Austrian force of 25,000.

France
Napoleon Bonaparte
20,000

Austira
Peter Quasdanovich
15,000

The actions at Lonato were spread over several miles, with divisions facing divisions rather than the whole Corps.

Table 16×4
French Forces 20,000 24 Battalions, 20 Squadrons, 4 Artillery Batteries
Austrian Forces 15,000 18 Battalions 16 Squadrons, 3 Artillery Batteries

The purpose of this battle is to know which objectives to secure or which to abandon. The map above is how the table should be set. There are 7 cities on the map; France must own 5 to win the battle and consolidate its forces for tomorrow’s battle.

The table should feel substantial, and it should be a challenge for different brigades to support each other on both sides.

July 28th 1809 Battle of Talavera Wargame Scenario

My other favorite period of gaming happens to be the Napoleonic era. The Peninsula campaign can make for some great games with epic battles. On July 28th, such a battle took place where Arthur Wellesley began the campaign to retake Spain. Wellesley, as he did famously at Waterloo, forced an engagement, but played a defensive role in the battle.

France
Joseph Bonaparte (41 Battalions, 56 Squadrons, 13 Artillery Batteries)
46,138 Soldiers
80 guns

Britain
Arthur Wellesley
26,641 Soldiers (30 Battalions, 24 Cav Squadrons, 4 Artillery Batteries)
30 Guns
Their Spanish Allies
34,993 Soldiers (34 Battalions, 24 Cav Squadrons, 4 Artillery Batteries)
30 Guns

As usual for the Wargame simulation, I would recommend using this order of battle. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Talavera_order_of_battle

Wargame
2- 20 Players (If more than 3 use an umpire). Each player could easily control a division, corps, or faction.
Rules, General D’Armee, or any other large-format Napoleonic Wargame
Table 16×8 for 15mm, smaller for 6mm
The terrain is arid, with some bluffs; the river did not really apply much.
Use the order of battle to determine troop quality. It could help balance the game by making the Spanish closer to the militia.

Scenario
The French should be the aggressor and attempt to move the British and Spanish forces from a defensible position. The French should have a higher quality of troops than the Spanish.

June 26th 1794 Battle of Fleurus Wargame

On June 26th, 1794, during the war of the First Coalition. An understrength force from the Habsburg Monarchy assaulted an entrenched force in an inconclusive battle for the Low Countries. This scenario would be great to teach a new player, or if you have a tactically strong and a weaker commander. Also, if you have a robust team against a weaker team.

Historically, this battle was inconclusive; we want this scenario to be conclusive.

There is a more in-depth order of battle available here. You can divide the forces amongst players as historically accurate divisions if you choose.

Order of Battle
France
Jean-Baptisete Jourdan
70,000 Infantry, in 96 Battalions
12,000 cavalry in 64 squadrons
100 Guns in 13 batteries

Habsburg Monarchy
45,000 Infantry in 68 Battalions
14,000 cavalry in 71 squadrons
111 Guns in 10 batteries

Wargame Scenario
It is to be played with any large-format Napoleonic corps-level game.

Players 2-10, see the historical order of battle for more in-depth information on ways to divide the forces.
Terrain: Add some wooded areas, some roads, some streams, and basic French countryside.

Set-Up

The French should be in a strong position in the center of the table, and the Habsburg Monarchy should be positioned to attack and attempt to surround the enemy. One thing to note is that the Habsburg Monarchy’s primary attack should be on their right or the French left.

Objectives

France, force the Habsburgs to retreat, for the Habsburgs, if they can force any French Division to collapse and retreat, it would be a win for them.

June 14th 1800 Battle of Marengo Wargame Scenario

On June 14th, 1800. The Austrian forces of General der Kavallerie Michael von Melas attempted a surprise attack on Napoleon’s troops across the Bromida River. The Austrians, being numerically superior at the start of the battle, forced back the French. However, a well-timed assault from an incoming French division turned the tide of battle to the French.

Order of Battle (Wikipedia has a very nice, detailed list if you are interested)

French 29,942 soldiers 33 guns
General Napoleon Bonaparte
Corps Lannes
12 Battalions
6 Horse Artillery Cannons
5th Dragoon Regiment

Corps Victor
9 Battalions
4 Horse Artillery Cannons
3rd Cavalry Regiment

Corps Desaix
8 Battalions
4 Foot Artillery Cannons
1 Hussar Regiment

Cavalry Reserve
28 Total Squadrons

Reserve
2 Battalions Genadiers
2 Squadrons of Horse Guards
8 Cannons

Austrians
General der Kavallerie Michael von Melas
30,379 Soldiers, 92 Cannons


Advanced Guard
4 Light Infantry Battalions
4 Cavalry Squadrons
6 Cannons

Right Wing
5 Battalions
6 Squadrons
6 Cannons

Center
24 Squadrons
20 Battalions
8 Cannons

Left Wing
12 Battalions
6 Squadrons
12 Cannons

Wargame Scenario
For use with General D’Armee, Black Power, or any other large-scale Napoleonic Wargame
2-8 Players, players can take control of the entire army on either side, or each Corps/Wing could have a commander as well
French Players will need 31 Battalions, 36 Cavalry Squadrons, and 5 Artillery Batteries
Austrian Players will need 41 Battalion,s 40 Cavalry Squadrons, and 6 Artillery Batteries
Terrain should have a river near one field edge with a bridge crossing the river. There should be several forested areas and a large hill opposite the edge where the bridge stands
Table Size 8×4 or even 10×4

Objective

The Austrians want to use their numerical advantage to break the French before the French forces can flank them. The French want to hold until Desaix arrives, then break the Austrians using a hard flank attack.

Set Up

During the battle, the Austrians struggled to mobilize all their forces against the French. The Austrians should start with their advanced guard and right wing on the French side of the river, holding a bridgehead while the Center and Left wings continue to cross.

The French should start with the Victor Corps engaged with the advanced guard of the Austrians. Lannes and the Reserve Corps to the rear, and Desaix corps off the table to arrive at turn 10