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Mythical Realms Vienna Treaty Wars wargame rules wargaming

One Hour Wargames Campaign – Scenario 25

Narrative

Colonel Ansaldi was fretting – having gained so much from the raid on Austrian storehouses he was worried that none of his scouts had been able to stay in touch with the Imperial troops known to be in the area. What he would give for a decent squadron of guides…….

Meanwhile not far away Colonel Albrecht considered the recent reports, nearby Austrian Hussars were watering their mounts. They had ridden hard to report finding the raiders. Now we shall obtain some satisfaction from those Sardinians thought the Colonel……..

Colonel Ansaldi cursed as the nearby hill was clearly occupied by troops – and they were not friendly – Austrians! To arms, to arms, went up the shout.

Looking South the Austrians were well placed on the hill
The Scenario 25 straight from One Hour Wargames
The random force generator gave Blue (Sardinians) only infantry while Red (Austrians) gained some Cavalry to support their infantry

The Sardinian force consisted of 3 infantry units and 1 skirmisher unit. The Skirmisher unit headed for the Austrians on the hill

The Scenario Set up required one unit of Austrians on the table before the Sardinians arrived from the south west heading north. The Zone 1 was the required deployment area for the one Austrian unit, in this case some skirmishers (note I used 4 bases per unit for both line and skirmisher foot troops)

Already a brisk firefight had broken out between the two sides.

There was no time time to lose and anyway there was only one direction the Sardinians could take and that was straight past those Austrians on the hill.

Despite orders there was hesitancy on the part of the Sardinians who still traded fire with the lone Austrian unit. Now other forces appeared – infantry and cavalry!

Cavalry and Infantry appeared from the north on the main road the Sardinians had avoided. (the rules included random arrival of reinforcements)
Things are not looking good for the Sardinians

Panic breaks out in the Sardinian ranks. I used the solo rules chance table which offered confusion, ammunition shortages, demoralisation, initiative, rallying and enemy panic.

the skirmisher firefight was prolonged
some good luck (chance) means the Sardinians move swiftly past the hill.
The Austrian Hussars close in on the Milan Guard
It looks like the Sardinians are moving clear.

The Sardinians continue to push on with their escape.

The Hussars clash with the Milan Guard
It all hinges on whether the Hussars can hold up the escaping Sardinians

The Austrians continue to press with a further charge by the Austrian cavalry despite them being demoralised.

The Sardinian firing slackens off – Colonel Ansaldi sends a runner to find out what is going on. (chance intervenes)

Suddenly there are Austrians everywhere
More Austrians troops arrive on the Main Road from the South. Aiming for the road was now a problem for the Sardinians
More chance favours the Austrians whose Infantry march rapidly up the road while the Cavalry catch the Sardinian Skirmishers
Things are looking bleak for Colonel Ansaldi as the Milan Guard break before the Hussars repeated attacks

But finally the Austrian cavalry also retreat as things are just too hot. Meanwhile the Austrian fire is good and effective and they continue to press the Sardinians.

The Hussars break while the Austrian Infantry close in on the remaining two Sardinian units
The Sardinians must exit the road northwards with two units to secure victory. Despite the Piedmontese Infantry driving off the Hussars, the Sardinian Skirmishers fail to reach the safety of the woods before being crushed by the Austrian Cavalry

Now on the point of victory the Austrians seem confused. Yet with a final effort they corner the Sardinians.

The Piedmont Infantry leave the field while the second Milan Guard unit is decimated by the pursuing Austrians.
Its all over as Blue force Sardinians fail in their mission to exit two units northwards on the main road.

Colonel Albrecht curses his cavalry – they are blown and clearly fit for nothing as some of the Sardinians are still making good their escape. He calls for some scouts.

Later Colonel Ansaldi manages to regroup his shattered forces and with poor pursuit from the Austrians is able to restart his march back to Sardinian lines by a new route. Later many more of his dispersed men come in.

The solo rules regarding random confusion, demoralisation, panic and ammunition shortage added that “unknown/unexpected” element to the game that a real opponent usually brings. The interventions were not gigantic but did chip away at each forces potential.

Early on the Sardinians were stalled, then gained initiative before the Austrians finally gained lots of initiative to enable them to hem in the Sardinians even with a hesitation at the end.

Next up the Sardinians, having continued their march, encounter more Austrian forces intent on preventing their escape.