Caldiero 1805 - Part 1

The village of Caldiero is located in North Italy, east of Verona and and at a point where the foothills of the Italian Alps reach down into the Adige valley.  It lies on the road leading from Verona to the heart of the Veneto region and from there straight into the underbelly of the Austrian Alps. As such, it lies in a strategic position, especially during the 1805 campaign where France and Austria were embroiled in a titanic struggle for dominance in Europe.

The French under Marechal Andre Massena advanced eastward and were opposed by the Austrian Archduke Charles. At one point of the campaign, the two armies clashed at the bottleneck of Caldiero which was in Austrian possession. The morning of October 30, 1805 saw the two armies deployed opposite each other in a thick fog. At 10.00 am, with the field still enveloped in fog, the Austrians sprung into action. Our game picks up at this point. We use Age of Eagles rules with some house modifications. All figures are 6mm Heroics and Ros.

Initial deployment with the Austrians nearest camera facing west. The village of Caldiero lies in the centre of the battlefield occupied by Austrian crack grenadiers

The order is given for the Austrian left to advance

In response, the French swing out their own left flank in the direction of San Zeno and the Colognola Heights

 

Despite the thick fog, the Austrian left presses onward in the direction of the village of Gambion on the French right. 

Fighting erupts around San Zeno (background, right) as Austrian Grenz attempting to occupy that village are ejected by a French charge. In the far distance French cavalry sweep around the Austrian right on the Colognola Heights

This is where we broke off this week.  As we had to set up the table and complete deployment we didn't have much time remaining and only managed a couple of moves.  Still, we have left the table set up and will continue next week.  In the meantime here are a few more snaps of the situation at the end of move 2 (11.00 am) taken from different angles. I just love that mass effect that only 6mm can give !!!

The Austrian centre with Caldiero the main strongpoint anchoring the line

The Austrian right defending the Colognola heights with the French assault on the village of San Zeno in the valley below

The French right in foreground and the centre further on

Birds eye view of the field from behind French lines

Austrian reserve heavy artillery in the centre prepare under the wachful eye of Archduke Charles

The Austrian right on the Colognola with the French in the valley below.  Note the French light cavalry turning the Austrian flank at extreme left

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