The Battle of Piacenza

After rattling through April and May map moves and the Battle of Parma last week, I was slow getting down to the Battle of Piacenza. Finally I got it done today.

This was another hard fought contest in terrain with lots of obstacles and cover. It was mostly an attentional slog in which the superior numbers of the Austro-Piedmontese prevailed.

3 turns in and the opposing columns are still marching up to compete for advantageous ground. (Bourbons from the left, Austro-Piedmontese from the right)

On the Bourbon left, infantry from Modena have occupied the Cascina and line of the stream. To their left Spanish dragoons have bounced Austrian cavalry who had crossed through the tree line.

Austrian foot in the centre have occupied a built up area with enclosures. Their brethren to their left have been battered by the Spanish guns in the foreground.

Turn 14. The Piedmontese (on the left of the Austrians) have finally formed up opposite the Neapolitans and both sides slugged it out for SEVERAL more turns.

Also turn 14. The Austrian advance in the centre has been shredded (note more the casualty markers on the right compared to those on the left of the picture). Despite this the two units centre right were to survive until the end. Across the tree line the combined Austrian grenadiers slug it out with Spanish infantry all game.

Another contest without decisive result. On the Austrian right repeated cavalry attacks fail to dislodge the Modenese infantry from the stream. I think I might upgrade the Modena troops following their experience.

After 25 turns the Neapolitans have broken. It was touch and go. Despite being outnumbered they made good use of the enclosure, inflicted as many hits on their Italian cousins from the north. The Piedmontese were the first to face a Wing Morale test but passed. Alas, King Carlos' men failed theirs. With stalemate in the centre and other wing, I called it a day and decided the Bourbon forces would retire in reasonable order and due to the terrain and losses on the Austrian cavalry, there would be no pursuit.

Following the game I diced for recovery of lost brigades and hits. The net outcome in terms of permanent losses are given below.

Bourbons

Neapolitans: Lost 1 brigade and 2 further hits on the remaining brigade.

Modenese: No hits

Spanish: lost 2 brigades inc the guards plus 2 further hits, no further hits on the cavalry

Austro-Piedmontese

Piedmontese: Lost 2 brigades and 3 further hits.

Austrians: 2 hits on cavalry, lost 1 infantry brigade, and 1 further hit. No further hits on artillery.

I'll work out what happens next in the campaign. I'm slightly concerned at the rate of attrition, especially for the Bourbons. Will they make it until the end of the year? Maybe the Bourbons need to lick their wounds and wait for winter for reinforcements. But can they do this without giving the Austrians a free hand to mop up Bourbon-aligned fortresses? It certainly looks like the Austrians are free to continue their siege of Piacenza. Will the Infante Felipe and Prince of Conti show their faces east of the Alpine passes again before the end of the campaigning season?