(NBVI) Battle of Sacile 16, April,1809 (Malcolm McCallum)
VI.1: With the opening of hostilities, Archduke Johns army of Italy advanced west on the scattered forces of Eugene. Neglecting Napoleons instructions to form a defensive position behind the Adige, Eugene ordered a concentration of his divisions at Sacile, on the Livenza, hoping to throw back the Austrians without resigning northeastern Italy to them without a fight. The evening of the 15th saw Frimont capturing Eugenes garrisons in Fontana-Fredda and then both armies settled in to prepare for the mornings contest.
VI.2: Battlefield of Sacile:
VI.2.1 Map Notes:
All buildings have a "+1" combat modifier. The Livenza river can only be crossed at the bridges of Sacile and Brugnera. All other waterways are treated as rough. French on-table forces are setup first, followed by the Allies.VI.3 Sacile Order of Battle:
French Forces |
Austrian Forces |
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VI.6 VICTORY CONDITIONS: Each of the buildings of Fontana-Fredda are worth 25 VPs. Ranxan and Talponedo are worth 25 each. Sacile, Porcia, and Brugnera are each worth 50 VPs. Fontana-Fredda, Porcia, and Talponedo all start in Austrian control. Sacile, Brugnera, and Ranxan begin the game in French control.
VI.7 HISTORICAL SACILE: Eugene commenced to launch a textbook echelon attack against the Austrian left. Struggling through the tough terrain, Serras' troops were heavily engaged as far as Porcia while Eugene's center pushed against Frimont at Fontana-Fredda. The villages were hotly contested all through the morning as Eugene committed more and more troops into the push. Seeing the weak French left, John launched his IX corps in an assault against Vigonovo and threatened to cut the French off from Sacile. Eugene had no reserves left to commit to his left and so had no choice but to order a retreat westward across two bridges. French losses were 3,000 killed, 3,500 captured and 15 guns taken. The Austrian casualties were estimated at 4,000. For the first time since 1800, an Austrian army had defeated the French in the field.