Snappy Nappy

The Austrian Invasion of Italy 1809
Archduke John vs. Prince Eugene

French Situation and Introduction

by Russ Lockwood

Prince Eugene

Austrian forces are sweeping westwards, chasing away your piquets, and coming within sight of your army. Napoleon has bombarded you with all sorts of advice and instructions, but he isn't here to see the hordes coming out of the mountain passes. These are your people, and you're not about to let them be overrun by the Austrians--and they don't want the Austrians either! Your army is quite scattered from Udine to Mantua and beyond. Even worse, the Tyrol seems on the brink of rebellion and that's not only your strategic northern flank but your father-in-law's strategic southern flank. You can hear his messages now, even if the Tyrol is Bavarian, not Italian. Anyway, the area is in your court now.

But it's all not bad news. Recent mobilization has come along quite nicely, and the transfer of forces from Dalmatia to Italia has augmented your total force pool. The fortresses of Osoppo and Palmanova are filled and manned, and there's another division on the march from Bologna. A strong garrison is in Venice, so you don't have to worry about that. It would have been better if the invasion had been delayed a few weeks, but there's no turning back the clock.

Your ultimate goal? Keep the entire area north of the Po River and east of the Adige River--from Mantua to Tyrol and east in French hands. If possible, push into Austria proper--Klagenfurt and Laibach are especially tempting targets. The mountainous terrain will be a big problem, but if you crush enough Austrian troops in Italia, that will not be a worry. Marmont is also being pushed back in Dalmatia, he reports falling back on his bases of Kurn and Zara. Don't expect any help in that area, but it's a sideshow anyway. The more land you save (and grab), the bigger your victory and glory.

Last Known Force Locations and Spy Reports

Let's face it, your deployment is proper in peacetime, but this is war and you've been caught flatfooted. Fortunately, you were at the right spot at the right time. By dint of your energy, your tour of the forward units has you at around Udine, at the leading edge.

    Broussier: Osoppo and St. Daniel are occupied, but the rest of his division is past Splimbergo and perhaps as far back as Sacile.
    Seras: You're with his division, which he says stretches from Udine all the way back to Oderzo. Palmanova as well?
    Pacthod: In the area of Narvesa, Congliano, Treviso, and Ponte.
    Severoli: Between Padua and Rovigo.
    Lemarque: He's supposed to be at Virenza.
    Fontanelli: He's supposed to be with Severoli, but he's back in Mantua!

You are garrisoning fortresses at Oseppo and Palmanova, and forward units report Austrian forces at Capporetto, heading towards Cividale. No doubt additional Austrian forces are northward, although their number and proximity are in question. A spy reported a division at Tarvis-Villach.

Just in: The Austrians have pushed across the Isonzo at Gorizia with light cavalry. Your scouts have no other information.

As for the Tyrol, what a tinderbox! Your last report out of their was not encouraging. The populace is just about in revolt, and no doubt the Austrian invasion will push them over the edge. A division or so of Bavarians and French, including some recent re-inforcements that you sent, are supposedly keeping a lid on this, but your strategic northern flank may very well be in trouble. You hold Innsbruck and last you knew, had garrisons in some of the major towns. Gen. Rusca will have to deal with it.

    Rusca: Franco-Bavarian force in mountainous terrain.

Reinforcements in the form of a division under Durette and a cavalry division under Grouchy have been promised. Supposedly, they are marching towards you. When, or even if, they get there is an uncertainly.

    Grouchy: He's heading your way, but if he's as far as Lake Garda, it's a miracle.
    Durette: On the march from Bologna.

In Dalmatia: The Austrians under Stoichwich moved out of Trieste and are pressing Marmont back towards Kurn and Zara. Marmont seems as scattered as you are, but he is also concentrating and rallying his troops. This is a diversionary front.

SPECIAL RULES

Fortress Garrisons:

Osoppo has one Elite garrison. Palmanova has four Veteran garrisons. You may not remove them, as Napoleon himself directed that they be there. They cannot fire or attack enemy units. If attacked, they melee (and MC) as Elite or Vet (they do not fire). They are the first to take MCs. Vets are eliminated with one MC failure. The Elites are eliminated with two MC failures. They never surrender, either.

Tyrol:

Mountains: All units may function normally on the "valley floor" and on the "one step foothills." Movement to a "second step" is prohibited except for rebel bands.

Bridges

Burning bridges: To destroy a bridge, move an INFANTRY unit next to a bridge. Roll a MC. If successful, the bridge is destroyed.

Rebuilding bridges: To rebuild a bridge, move an INFANTRY unit next to a bridge. Roll a MC. If successful, the bridge is rebuilt.

Only one try (at either destroying or rebuilding) per turn.

Line of Supply/Communications:

All units must trace a line of supply/communications ALONG ROADS. Units get 12" cross open country (NOT through woods, rivers, seas, or mountains) to connect to a road. Austrians trace to Trieste, Klagenfurt, or the road eastbound out of Laibach. French trace to Innsbruck, Mantua, roads heading west from Lake Garda area, or any road south of the Po River.

The road must be clear of enemy units AND all villages/towns/fortresses along the route must be friendly.

    Friendly villages/towns/fortresses:

    French: Be the last to pass through it with a combat unit (inf, cav, art).
    Austrian: Be the last to pass through it AND have a combat unit within 12". (Yes, this is going to force the commanders to duplicate the Austrian practice of leaving garrisons in every town they conquered)

ALL units out of supply at the beginning of their movement phase roll MCs. Success means no negative supply effects. Failure means the unit drops one Morale level (do NOT retreat unit). The level remains lost even if a unit subsequently moves back into supply. It may be rallied in the usual way.

More Snappy Nappy: 1809 Austrian Invasion of Italy

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