On the Table Today Is...

the Battle of Bassignana, 1745.

When the build-up of a small French army began in earnest at the start of the year, the immediate goal was to forge a French force large enough to field the combined French and Spanish armies at Bassignana.  With that goal completed, time to get the troops onto the table.  First playing of the scenario will see action in a remote game on Tuesday.  If the scenario and I survive first contact, I expect another series of replays of this interesting and asymmetrical action.

Since Bassignana is a War of Austrian succession battle and my SYW armies are modeled on the SYW, the table will see Spanish played by French troops and the Piedmontese will played by Austrians and Swiss.  If battles in this earlier war catch-on, perhaps, Piedmontese and Spanish armies will be recruited? 

Historical Background
Rather than fight as separate armies as seen in the previous year, the Bourbon armies decided to coordinate their activities on the Italian front in 1745.  Opting against an approach on Piedmont-Sardinia from the southwest, they would advance from the southeast in order to threaten either Piedmont-Sardinia or Lombardy and keep the Worms’ alliance guessing.  Bourbon strategists figured this approach may encourage the Piedmontese and Austrian armies to split with the Piedmontese retiring to protect Turin and the Austrians retiring to protect Milan.

When Pavia fell to the Gallispans on 22 September, the Austrians reacted.  Commander of the Austrian army, Count Schulenburg, decamped from the wedge of land between the Po and Tanaro where the two armies were situated near Bassignana.  The Austrians were sent to the north bank of the Po toward Vigevano to counter the increasing threat to Lombardy.  Charles Emmanuel III and his army were left alone on the south bank of the Po in the triangle formed by the confluence of the Po and Tanaro rivers.

Thin line of Piedmontese ready for the attack.

As soon as the Gallispans received word of Schulenburg’s retreat, plans were put in place to attack the Piedmontese who were left confined within the wedge near the fortress of Bassignana.  If the Pietmontese could be defeated, the north Italian plain would be open for the taking.  With Piedmontese and Austrians armies now split and Schulenburg marching northwards, Charles Emmanuel and his capable Piedmontese army found themselves heavily outnumbered.

Could Schulenburg be convinced to return to the south bank of the Po to fight before his Piedmontese ally is overwhelmed?  Historically, no, but it may happen today.

The Piedmontese begin battle with their army thinly positioned strewn along the high ground on the banks of the Tanaro River.  The Bourbons are ready to strike. De Gages is positioned to attack from the southeast toward the fortress of Bassignana, itself, while Maillebois has the weight of his command poised against the Piedmontese center.

Bassignana - Initial dispositions

Historical Outcome
The French, under Maillebois, attacked the Piedmontese center vigorously.  Despite a tenacious defense from the Piedmontese guard and grenadiers, D’aix’s position was ruptured and the Piedmontese position split.  Concerned with being trapped in the wedge at Bassignana, Emmanuel gave up Bassignana to Gages.  When Gages destroyed the pontoon bridge over the Po, Emmanuel would see no relief from Schulenburg.  Emmanuel ordered a full retreat toward Casale.

Scenario Notes

• Po can only be crossed via the pontoon bridge to the north of Bassignana.
• Tanaro River is fordable everywhere unless the approach is covered in woods.
• High ground is Rough. Stream banks offer Soft Cover.
• All BUAs offer Hard Cover.
• De Gages’ command has initiative on Turn 1.
• Po pontoon bridge may be destroyed on a 6+ after one turn adjacent and stationary.
• Schulenburg/Neuhaus and Schulenburg/Vogtern (each roll separately) arrive on south side of Po at pontoon bridge on,

Turn 5: 8+

Turn 6: 6+

Turn 7: 3+

Game Length: 8 Turns plus variable end.
Rules: amended Fields of Honor
Figures: 15mm
Victory Conditions:

• Sudden Death:
• Army Breakpoint Reached.
• Major: Hold all towns north of Tanaro River.
• Minor: Hold Bassignana and 3 of the 5 remaining towns north of Tanaro River.
• Otherwise: Draw.

Looking forward to battle.  Let's see if the Austro-Piedmontese army can reverse history.