Würzburg

September 3, 1796

The battle of Wurzburg is one of the less known battles of the Revolutionary period as it did not involve Napoleon Bonaparte. In 1796 as in most of the Revolution the most important theatre was Germany. At Wurzburg the Archduke Charles of Austria succeded in defeating the French under Jourdan in what was arguably one of his greatest successes.

At Wurzburg the French has been advancing on what they thought was the isolated division under Szataray. Jourdan had positioned Bernadotte and Championnet in the early morning mist that day in front of Szataray at the stream north of Wurzburg expecting to take him out in an early morning assault supported by Bonnault in the rear and Grenier upstream.

The mist had however given Charles time to react and Hotze was also ready to receive the French. His hope was that the remainer of the Austrian army could be brought to bear on the isolated French. Elsnitz was north of the field tying up the must larger Lefebvre and Austrian engineers had laid one pontoon bridge on the Main with another underway. But the mist also worked against him- Kray was moving slowly and the second bridge was late being laid.

In the end a series of back and forth attacks delayed the French long enough from Kray and Wartensleben to make themselves felt and the French were defeated with Lefebvre never haven taken the field.

This is a game of 5 basic turns. Both armies are considered confident.

Weather: Overcast with Mist.

Deployment

French:  All French are west of the stream

  • Bernadotte west of the stream north of Wurzburg.
  • Championnet at Unter Klenfeld
  • Bonnault on the heights between Bernadotte and Championnet
  • Grenier: On the road at Uber Klenfeld
  • Jourdan with Bonnault

Austrians

  • Szartay east of the stream north of Wurzburg.
  • Hotze north of Szartay
  • Kray at Dettlebach east of the main
  • Reisch at the pontoon bridge at Schnezbad
  • Wartensleben between Dettlebach and Schnezbad

Re-enforcements: 

When the coloured die at the beginning of a turn is equal or less than the turn number the Austrians may release Elsnitz, however Lefebvre will enter the following turn. Both arrive on the north road near Uber Klenfeld.

If the roll occurs twice this will happen regardless of Austrian intentions

Terrain:

  • All Streams are obstacles
  • The Main is impassible
  • Wurzburg is considered heavy cover

Game parameters

  • Weather is overcast with fog.
  • Basic game of 5 turns.
  • Map is for a 6' x 4' table.
  • French break at 4, 5 with Lefebvre
  • Austrians break at 6, 7 with Elsnitz

Austrians

CinC Archduke Charles Good

1 Hotze 3"/3

·        1/1 Kienmayer Veteran 7SP MX SK 1 (Hussars, Grenz, Jaegers)

·        1/2 Hiller Trained 9SP SK1

·        1/3 Carnisus Veteran 4SP (Cheveauleger)

2 Sztaray 4"/3

·        2/1 Prinz Johannes Trained (Grenz, Mixed Cavalry) 8SP SK2 MX

·        2/2 Montfraut Trained 4SP SK1

·        2/3 Imperial Troops Raw 5SP 

·        2/4 Kaim Elite 7SP (Grenadiers)

3 Riesch 3"/3

·        3/1 Wuurtemburg Veterans 5SP Heavy (Kuirassiers and Dragoons)

·        3/2 Spielburg Trained 6 SP (Imperial Dragoons)

4 Kray 7.5"/2

·        4/1 Hohenlohe Trained 10 SP MX SK2 (Mixed Grenz and Cavalry)

·        4/2 Hadik Veteran 9SP MX SK2 (Mixed Grenz and Cavalry)

·        4/ 3 Gorger Trained 3SP (Emigré Light Cavalry)

·        4/4 von Orienen/Schottendorf Trained 7SP SK1

·        4/5 Staader Trained 6SP SK1

5 Elsnitz 3"/3

·        5/1 Infantry 7SP SK2

·        5/2 Cavalry 4SP

6 Reserve Wartensleben 7.5"/3

·        6/1 Kallowrat Elite 9SP (Grenadiers)

·        6/2 Schneilenberg Elite 9SP (Grenadiers)

·        6/3 Vogelsang 9SP (Grenadiers)

·        6/4 Colloredo Elite 6SP (Caribiners)

·        6/5 Lothringen Elite 6SP (Cuirassiers)

French

CinC Jourdan Good

1 Lefebve 3/4"

·        1/1 Infantry I Trained 10 SP SK2

·        1/2 Infantry II Trained 10 SP SK2

·        1/3 Heavy cavalry Veteran 6SP

·        1/4 Light cavalry Veteran 6SP

4th Division Grenier 2/4"

·        4/1 Infantry I Trained 9 SP SK2

·        4/2 Infantry II Trained 7 SP SK2

·        4/3 Light cavalry Veteran 7SP (Dragoons and Chasseur a Cheval)

·        4/4 12lb Foot battery

5 Division Bernadotte 2/4.5"

·        5/1 Infantry I Trained 10 SP SK2

·        5/2 Infantry II Trained 8 SP SK2

·        5/3 Cavalry Trained 9SP

6 Division Championnet 2/4.5"

·        6/1 Infantry I Trained 10 SP SK2

·        6/2 Infantry II Trained 8 SP SK2

·        6/3 Light Cavalry Veteran 5SP

7 Reserve Bonnault 3/2"

·        7/1 Curiassiers I 7SP

·        7/2 Curiassiers II 7SP