The Battle of Arcola is ideal for large or small scale wargames. If enough players, space and time can be found, it could copy history and be fought over three days: perhaps different players taking command on separate days or, alternatively, wargamers could pick out just one day to play. The amount of figures required is fairly small, especially cavalry and artillery and the terrain offers something challenging: waterlogged marshes, dike roads, pontoon bridges, villages and rivers.
The weather would also have an effect since it rained almost continually. On the negative side, it would be difficult to reconstruct the whole battlefield on an accurate scale, especially if you plan to include the fighting at Belfiore di Porcile. But this could be played on a separate table if required. From the orders of battle it can be seen that overall, Napoleon's Army was outnumbered. However, Napoleon rnanœuvred his divisions so that when it came to troops actually in action, the French generally outnumbered the Austrians. Only on the third day when Napoleon faced Alvinci's main force did the numbers even out. And it must be remembered that the French had to advance into a clear line of fire, often with little chance of hitting back with effect until they got close or when the Austrians counterattacked.
It's mainly an infantry and artillery battle, although cavalry in numbers can be used on the third day. The Austrian artillery, around Arcola especially, was well positioned and effectively manned. The French guns would have to move along the dike roads and be exposed to constant fire. They would otherwise block any other movements along them (except perhaps skirmishers) and infantry would then have to march at a much slower pace through the waterlogged marshes. Only Cavalry and artillery advancing with Guyeux on the 15th and with Augereau on the 27th would be able to manœuvre with any speed or skill, but even this would be at a reduced rate due to sodden state of the ground and obstacles etc.
The French aim would be to capture Arcola and force the Austrians to retreat. Just capturing Arcola alone isn't enough to claim a victory, if a large scale game is played then they must also hold the Austrians at Belfiore di Porcile. For the Austrians a victory can be claimed if they manage to hold Arcola and prevent the French crossing the bridge. Again, if a large scale game, they must also hold or push the French back at Porcile and so threaten the Ronco Bridgehead.
Planning
At first I was planning on playing a game which only involved the attack on Arcola, but I wanted a game that also included the danger, challenge and excitement of Massena's actions at Porcile. Whatever happened to him would have a drastic effect on the outcome of the whole battle, so I didn't want to miss him out. With this in mind, I decided to play a game with an 'Arcola' flavour. By this, I mean I exchanged the three days fighting for three attacks on Arcola and Porcile. This was also due to a lack of space and time and the fact I was playing solo.
Although the model battlefield wasn't accurately to scale, I tried to include all the Arcola elements, such as the two ambushes, dike roads, villages, pontoon bridges, rain and the marshes etc., trying to keep as near to the real battle as I could. The armies came from the 6mm Irregular Miniatures Revolutionary Range and Heroic & Ros. The setting cost around £20 to make, which included papier-mâché, super glue, double sided sellotape and various paints. The rest of the scenic items I already owned. I made various smaller sections on cardboard bases, shaped and painted them and than joined them together as a whole by sticking them to a large hardboard base.
It turned out to be a very interesting game that lasted around six hours. Strangely, apart from a few differences the battle tended to follow fact. The main difference came from my added 'exciter' element, I let the throw of a dice decide if Hohenzollern moved from his position to either aid Provera or Alvinci. As it turned out he marched to the aid of Provera at Porcile but didn't arrive until the 3rd Day (3rd attack). His arrival enabled the Austrians there to push the French back as far as the Ronco bridgehead.
Unfortunately for the Austrians, history was repeated and the French left was saved by a combination of artillery fire and troops from Guyeux's Brigade which rushed back to the Ronco Bridgehead, These held the Austrians off until the main Austrian force under Alvinci was itself forced to retreat, French casualties during days 1 & 2 (attack 1 & 2) were far heavier than the Austrians. During the three attacks, the Austrians lost nearly all their guns and on the 3rd day (attack 3) suffered severe casualties, especially in the ambush at Ronco. Overall, it was a French victory with the Austrians loses being about 10% higher than the French.
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