Snappy Nappy

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

Memoirs of Archduke John:
Austrian Perspective

by Dan Burkley

From my point of view, I had intended Wolfskeel (John) and Frimont (Rich) to engage the two French divisions between the rivers, near Udine. Gyulai (Charlie) and Colleredo (Dave) with the Archduke supervising, were to swing around the 2nd river (Tagliomento?), but we didn't realize the mountain range ran across the whole map. A quick look at the Tyrolean map convinced me I didn't want these two divisions there (Jellacic and Davidovitch being enough of an Austrian presence already). Gyulai tried engaging the fort at Osoppo, while I told Colloredo to leave a garrison at Tolmezzo (on the Tyrolian table) and backtrack his division to go to Udine and attack the French there, following Besan's route (who was marching to back up Frimont). I gave an order to Gyulai to move off the road while he was bombarding Osoppo so Colloredo could march back. Later still, I gave an order to Gyulai to disengage and backtrack to the south and support Wolfskeel.

Frimont slowly but methodically engaged the French division (Lenny) opposing him, eventually succeeding in driving most of it into the fort, while separating the rest of it, including its wounded general, by occupying the town by the bridge. The French completed the isolation by blowing up the bridge.

The second French division (Fred) was a bit spread out, and Wolfskeel engaged it. This division was reinforced by the Italian Guard (Fred) and a second French division (Frank), and these put Wolfskeel in a bad situation, which he recognized and managed to give a very good fighting withdrawl. Besan's command (Dan) backed up Frimont's left and put some pressure on the center eastern village where the French bisected the initial two Austrian divisions. One shot from the mighty 3 Pdrs was all that was needed to disintegrate the French unit. Archduke John then personally rallied the 12 Pdr battery of Wolfskeel's command that had been disrupted. The Italian Guard made a stand at the next village and awaited a 5th French division (Joe) that has marched across the Tagliamento to the vicinity.

Colloredo's column then arrived from across the Isonzo (splitting off from the tail of Besan's column at the next village west from Tarvis, taking the eastern road). Colloredo's column then formed up on Wolfskeel's 12 Pdr, placed its 6Pdr next to Besan's 3Pdr and proceeded to bombard/prolong damaging 3 French units (including the Guard Dragoons), which allowed Colloredo's Hussars and Besan's Volunteers to put them to flight. The 3 Pdr & 6 Pdr dueled with the Italian Guard guns, routing them after a long duel. It was fortunate that Archduke John remained with the 12 Pdr battery until fully recovered - as the stress and fatigue of the gunners almost caused a mistake in target identity (the gunners almost shooting at a column of fleeing French, quickly corrected by Archduke John as being a victorious column of Limburg Volunteers pursuing the French they had put to the bayonet. The Archduke then left the battery, instructing then to only shoot at infantry wearing shakos!

This action relieved the pressure on Wolfskeel from the north. Wolfskeel succeeded in extracting his battered command by the heroic stand on one line unit, repeatedly beating off MC's. The presence of Gyulai south of Wolfskeel removed the remaining pressure, and Wolkskeel started to put his damaged division back in order. With the return of the 12 Pdr battery and supporting elements of Colloredo's command, Wolkskeel recrossed the Isonzo and joined in the counterattack.

Gyulai's long march gave the French great concern, but Gyulai's hasty advance was met with desperate French attacks - but where the French attacks failed, their artillery made up by causing much damage and disorganization in Gyulai's ranks. But Gyulai still kept going, pinning down the French troops and cannon that had previously brought Wolfskeel to the brink of annihilation. It was enough, for now the French were caught in the pincer attack and the local superiority was now with the Austrians.

Frimont and Besan adopted an agressive defensive posture, keeping the isolated French division in Osoppo, while holding back the 5th French division (Joe) that advanced against them. A vicious cavalry melee went back and forth over several turns. The uncertain events in the center caused the 5th division's commander to maneuver and countermaneuver his rear elements three times. Then he formed up his rear elements in road column to re-cross the Tagliamento, but events overtook him.

The victorious Hussars from Colloredo's command saw the road columns and struck for them. A hasty square prevented the demise of the French column, but the ferocity of the Hussars kept them engaged over a crucial clearing. This prevented the division's guns and front line infantry from retreating. The Austrian infantry of Frimont and Besan's commands saw the advantage and advanced. The final act was the destruction of the bridge the French had tried to retreat to. Isolated, outnumbered, and outmaneuvered, this division was hors de combat.

Between the Isonzo and Tagliamento, the victory had been in doubt, but was now complete. Archduke John estimated almost three French divisions eliminated, at a loss of about one Austrian equivalent between Colloredo and Wolfskeel. From what he had heard from the Tyrolean front, Davidovitch's division was destroyed, but at least one French division had also been eliminated. Twice as many casualties inflicted than received - not a bad start to a campaign... It's a better showing than my much-touted brother Charles has given.

More Snappy Nappy: 1809 Austrian Invasion of Italy

Back to War Lore: The List
Back to Master Magazine List
© Copyright 2000 by Coalition Web, Inc.
This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web.
Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com