As previously in this trilogy, the relatively small size of this battle makes it suitable to refight using battalions as the basic combat unit, organised into divisions and Corps for Eugene and divisions for John. Each of the French divisions had a paper strength of 7,200 men in 10 battalions with two batteries of guns in support. The cavalry were under-strength, numbering about 2,500 troopers per division. The organisation for them is as follows:

Army of Italy - the Viceroy Prince Eugene de Beauharnais. - 33000 men

Baraguey d'Hillier's Corps.
Division Severoli (Italian)
Division Sahuc (Light Cavalry)
Division Lauriston

Grenier's Corps.
Division Serras
Division Durutte

Grouchy's Corps.
Dragoon Division Guerin
Light Cavalry Division Montbrun

Reserve Corps.
Italian Royal Guard - Fontanelli.
2nd Dragoon Division - Pully.
Division Pacthod

Each of the infantry divisions should have two batteries of 6lb guns if you intend to play to a scale where all the battalions can fight. It should be noted that due to previous losses the batteries only averaged 6 guns. Should you intend to use rules such as Grand Manner then I would recommend five battalions per division and one battery, with Fontanelli perhaps having 12lbers. Sahuc and Montbrun should have three regiments of Chasseurs and one of hussars, plus a 4lb Horse battery. The Dragoon Divisions should have four regiments each plus a horse battery.

As far as troop quality is concerned, if you are using Follow the Eagle then I suggest the French are C class Trained. All the Italian troops should be C class Conscripts except the Royal guard who might make A class trained. Gunners perhaps can be C class Veteran across the board. The cavalry should be no better than C class Trained. Using Grand Manner I would suggest the French are 1st line with the Italians as 2nd Line and the Royal Guard as elite.

Austrian Army of Italy - The Archduke John. - 31000 men.

Jellachich's Division.
Three brigades (two regular, one landwehr)
Colloredo's Division.
Three brigades (as above)
Marziany's Division.
Two brigades (one regular, one landwehr)
Frimont's Cavalry Division.
26 squadrons (lights and dragoons)
Meczery's Cavalry Division.
40 squadrons (as above)
Mezko's garrison Division.
One brigade and 5 squadrons .

The organisation of the Austrian formations is not quite so generic, and needs clarification. The Austrian infantry brigaded at Raab averaged five or six battalions, about 3000 men, which is littler more than half strength. Austrian wargaming units generally come in at the 1,000 mark so a total of 24 units may be appropriate if using Follow the Eagle. The addition of six 6lb batteries should do nicely, as John is reported strong in cannon. Remember that nearly half the troops were landweher, so perhaps ten of the battalions can be so, evenly distributed. Meczery's cavalry totalled about 4500 with Frimont having around 2500. Meczery's are described as being all Hungarian, so perhaps can be reasonably covered using hussars, whilst Frimont's are mixed, so throw in some dragoons. 1,000 strong regiments are thus easy to calculate, if that is close to the strength you use. Two batteries of 6lbers should round off each cavalry division adequately. Mezko's garrison equates well as a half regiment of light cavalry and a landwehr brigade, plus a battery of 6lbers.

As far as troop ratings go, for Follow the Eagle the Austrian line merit C class Trained, whilst the landwehr can be D class Conscripts. Dragoons are C class and light cavalry B class.

Converting the Austrians to Grand Manner, halving the available units seems to work, with the jagers reduced to additional skirmishers.

To my mind, Raab is probably the easiest of the three battles (Raab, Piave, Sacile) to play, as well as being the most immediately recognisable to wargamers. By this I mean that the terrain is the sort that the local club might put out on a Sunday, with two good sized hills, some blocking terrain and a river to one side. On the terrain front, the Pancza Brook should be the only fordable waterway on the table, and its difficult nature should be kept from the French player until he tries crossing. Certainly, all troops trying to cross should be disordered.

The farm and the mound are very strong defensive positions, and this should be reflected on the table. The mound seems to have had the effect of a redoubt. The marsh itself should be uncrossable.

As for objectives, John merely requires to hold his position to win. Eugene on the other hand should aim to inflict 50% casualties (including pursuit) and preferably trap John against the Danube and force his surrender or rout through Raab. Anything else can be considered a draw.

Back to Historical Analysis: The Battle of Raab

The "Eugene Trilogy"

Part 1: The Battle of Sacile: April 15-16, 1809
Part 2: The Battle of Piave: May 8, 1809

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