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Monday, November 12, 2018

Rivoli: A Progress Report

Initial Deployments
Having declared back in January that staging an early Napoleonic battle would be one of my objectives for 2018, I wrestled with which battle to stage for a long time.  Thoughts of finally getting Suvorov's army into the fray was one direction but motivations kept pushing me towards Northern Italy with either a refight of Marengo or Rivoli.  Refighting either Marengo or Rivoli would provide a chance to revisit two interesting tactical situations with new troops and, perhaps, even new rules.  Both Marengo and Rivoli have seen action on the gaming table in the past but not with the forces raised in the 1799 project.  
Battle deployments from Napoleon Museum in Rivoli
The final decision was to tackle Rivoli with troops in earlier uniforms.  The forces in the 1799 project have French in bicorne and Austrians predominantly in casquet.  These early uniforms would be more appropriate in the fields of either Marengo or Rivoli than would the 1809 uniforms mustered for these earlier games.
Rivoli 2004 with Rivoli in background
When my notes for the Rivoli battle were dug up and reviewed, I was surprised that the game last saw action on the table in 2004.  Fourteen years ago!  I have said this before and I say it again.  Time flies.  While the battle sketch map shows a 2008 date, this must have been a revision from my earlier map used as a guide in the 2004 game.  A couple of the photos from that 2004 battle are included
Rivoli 2004 seen from Mt Baldo
For troop deployments, an accounting shows that the only remaining formation to yet field is the 22 Chasseurs a Cheval regiment.  While this unit could be fielded in the later uniform more appropriate for 1809 campaigning, Chasseurs wearing the earlier uniform are in the painting queue.  A dozen of them will be needed.  The full OB is shown below.
OB only missing 22nd Chasseurs a Cheval
I have some painting work to finish before the OB is complete but not much.  It will be fun to revisit an old battle in, perhaps, a new light. 
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36 comments:

  1. NormNovember 12, 2018 at 10:50 AM

    That is a very nice map with a good partnership with the photo of the display cabinet. Enjoyed seeing your 2004 table.

    2004! wow, thinking of going forward by 14 years takes us to 2032 (ouch!), which puts that gap in some context.

    Looking forward to your report on the game and admire how much time you put into getting armies ready and getting the battle detail correct.

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    1. Jonathan FreitagNovember 12, 2018 at 3:32 PM

      Thank you, Norm! I always appreciate your thoughtful commentary.

      I was surprised that Rivoli was played in 2004. I remember much of it as if it was last week. I still have my handwritten game notes describing the action. It might be fun to put into readable form and recreate the narrative from fourteen years ago.

      When I saw that the photos and map were from a 2004 game, I thought, "wow" that is a lot of time between games. It made me stop to think how much effort goes into building armies for so little gaming. Is this effort worth the cost? I think it is if you enjoy building armies. Seeing them out on the field of battle is a bonus.

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    2. caveadsum1471November 13, 2018 at 2:00 AM

      Is the effort worth the cost? To me it's a therapeutic pastime that lets me unwind,I need to have the army building as a goal, gaming is just the icing on top!
      Best Iain

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    3. Jonathan FreitagNovember 13, 2018 at 6:29 AM

      I am with you, Iain! Painting IS a therapeutic pastime.

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  2. PeterNovember 12, 2018 at 11:16 AM

    It sounds like you are close to getting this battle on to the tabletop with a previously created: map (which looks very nice by the way), order of battle, and background. I hope you reach your objective in 2018.

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    1. Jonathan FreitagNovember 12, 2018 at 3:34 PM

      The troops for the battle are nearly in place. Scenario details will not be hard to muster either since I did a lot of research more than decade ago. Still have many of my notes from which to draw.

      Once the gaming table is cleared of Zorndorf, progress will be rapid. I would enjoy giving Zorndorf one more run, though before Jake recalls his Russians.

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  3. Scott MacPheeNovember 12, 2018 at 2:01 PM

    What rules are you considering?

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    1. Jonathan FreitagNovember 12, 2018 at 3:36 PM

      I lean towards my version of Republique with a try using my Wars of Coalition seen in the Montebello 1800 game. WoC provided a good, fast game with plenty of interesting decisions.

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  4. StewNovember 12, 2018 at 3:03 PM

    Looks like an interesting scenario and I’m thinking you’ll benefit from planning done 14 years ago. I don’t think I was even wargaming 14 years ago. 😀
    Looking forward to learning all about this battle as you go a long.

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    1. Jonathan FreitagNovember 12, 2018 at 3:37 PM

      Stew, Rivoli presents interesting situations for both players which you will appreciate once the game is seen in action. Along the way, you will learn about the battle too.

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  5. Ray RousellNovember 12, 2018 at 3:30 PM

    I shall look forward to the coming battle.

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    1. Jonathan FreitagNovember 12, 2018 at 3:43 PM

      Thanks, Ray. I will look forward to the battle too.

      Your Remembrance Day game was fabulous.

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  6. DeanMNovember 12, 2018 at 3:54 PM

    An historic battle well-represented by your game, Jonathan. 14 years for a re-visit may seem like a long time, but like a good bottle of wine, well worth it!

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  7. Michal DwarfCryptNovember 12, 2018 at 10:36 PM

    I wish to realize this project in a faster time! :)

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  8. rrossNovember 12, 2018 at 11:46 PM

    Looks interesting Jonathan - look forward to seeing all those masses or 1800 troops you have been churning out on a table en bataille!

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    1. Jonathan FreitagNovember 13, 2018 at 5:32 AM

      I look forward to seeing the troops in battle too. Rivoli will provide a good occasion for that review.

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  9. caveadsum1471November 13, 2018 at 1:20 AM

    Looking forward to this! Great map and OOB and nice photos of your last run out of the battle!
    Best Iain

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    1. Jonathan FreitagNovember 13, 2018 at 5:34 AM

      Thank you, Iain! Glad you enjoyed seeing a brief Rivoli preview and a look way back to the 2004 game.

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  10. PhilNovember 13, 2018 at 2:03 AM

    Very interesting battle to play...sounds great!

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  11. fireymonkeyboyNovember 13, 2018 at 1:13 PM

    Nice to see the continuity in your records. Must be satisfying to go back and be able to compare, track progress, etc. Looking forward to the game!

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    1. Jonathan FreitagNovember 13, 2018 at 3:29 PM

      Markus, it is fun to look back and relive some of the moments from games gone past.

      From the games in 2004, I recall the French winning both encounters. Making up through the gorge from the Adige to the Rivoli plateau was a big ask for the Austrians.

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  12. PrufrockNovember 13, 2018 at 4:18 PM

    Impressive project, Jonathan! Just out of interest, how do your figures from the 2004 era stack up to your more recently painted figures? Is there a noticeable difference in style or quality?

    I say that because I was looking over my collection the other day and the early figures really do not compare very well to the later ones, unfortunately. I might need to do some remedial work!

    Cheers,
    Aaron

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    1. Jonathan FreitagNovember 13, 2018 at 5:12 PM

      Aaron, you pose an interesting question!

      I tend to think my painting has improved from fourteen years ago since I switched from white to black undercoating. The later addition of Minwax stain improved the look to my eye too.

      Unfortunately, my eyes are not as good as they were fourteen years ago so painting improvements may be in the (poor) eyes of the beholder!

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  13. DartfrogNovember 13, 2018 at 6:11 PM

    I embraced the painting side of the hobby long ago. I think I was in Baghdad when you fought this battle. Time flies...

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    1. Jonathan FreitagNovember 13, 2018 at 7:14 PM

      I remember sending you a care package while you were stationed overseas. Time flies but that seems like a long time ago.

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  14. DartfrogNovember 13, 2018 at 6:12 PM

    I will try to find one last chance at Zorndorf. Alas, my new position requires more travel than in the past and weekends with the family have become precious.

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    1. Jonathan FreitagNovember 13, 2018 at 7:16 PM

      Being away is tough. If a last Zorndorf isn't in the cards, it is an easy battle to set up. We can clear the table, set it up again, and fight it out when your schedule permits.

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  15. Matt CrumpNovember 13, 2018 at 11:28 PM

    Looking forward to the battle 🙂

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  16. GonsalvoNovember 14, 2018 at 7:28 PM

    Rivoli is one action I have never attempted; it has a lot of potential for maneuver, and deciding which threat to face when and where for the French. Perhaps as I add more (Imperial) French in Bicorn, the case for revisiting the 1796-7 battles will become irresistible!

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    1. Jonathan FreitagNovember 14, 2018 at 8:17 PM

      Rivoli offers much for the gamer. As your early Napoleonics collection grows, keep Rivoli or some of the other interesting Northern Italy battles in mind. Resistance is futile!

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  17. Amtmann B.June 5, 2020 at 4:12 AM

    Regarding the Terrain this is one of the greatest challenges for a Napoleonic-Wargamer.

    But it's a very interesting battle too.

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    1. Jonathan FreitagJune 5, 2020 at 4:15 AM

      Rivoli is a very interesting battle. One day I plan to get it back onto the gaming table.

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