I have never been that happy with the movement allowance of the Austrian Battalion Masse in Aspern-Essling (game rule 3.1). 1 would increase this to 6. The idea of the formation was to speed up movement but retain firepower, and while it benefits from column movement allowances as the Marchfield is flat and there is not much terrain, this benefit is not a great plus.

Also I have found that it is not possible in Scenarios 5.1 and 5.4 to achieve historical time scales for the Austrian attack (even with the 6 movement point allowance).

Most of my sources seem to say that the attack at Aspern went in at 2:30 to 3:00 pm in the first place and at Essling about 6:00 pm. In the game, that is just not possible. Also TV Corps will arrive way too late.

I do not know if the time distortions in the game were to balance it or what but the game does not allow the correct time scales to be met.

I suggest the following change:

Austrian units in column may move at a speed of 8 movement points if they meet the following conditions:

• They are always 4 hexes from enemy units.
• There is only 1 unit (and 1 artillery unit) in a hex.

Changing to and from Battalion Masse is free.

The Austrian 4 Corps and the L1C R cavalry unit enter at 5.30 pm.

This I have found allows more historical time scales and, as the Austrians have to deploy from the line of march, does not put that much extra pressure on the French.

[NBS honcho Anders Fager's note: This addresses the two main complaints people have about Aspern-Essling. The notion that the game map should be based on a map forged to make the Austrians look bad is not addressed. Enjoy.]