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Friday, January 19, 2024

A Second Look at Madonna dell'Olmo

After an illness enforced break during the holidays, gaming returns to the table mid-January.  Following December's Battle of Madonna dell'Olmo (see Madonna dell'Olmo), the three players agreed that a rematch would be entertaining.  With three players, Mark volunteered to take command of the Austro-Piedmontese Army alone while Chris and David would team up to command the Gallispan Army.  We had an observer for the game too.  Welcome Erik!

As a refresher, the battlefield and army deployments are as shown in the photos below:
Madonna dell'Olmo terrain features
Madonna dell'Olmo Army Deployments
Army deployments looking from South.
Will battle plans change from Game #1 with players swapping sides?  Well, Chris will remain a Gallispan for Game #2.  Let's see how the battle played out.

After the simulation study on how to maximize King Emmanuele's opening moves (see Computational Combat Statistics), I expected Mark to follow the math in attacking Madonna dell'Olmo (Md'O) with full force.  I was wrong!
Spanish grenadiers occupy the earthworks in front of Md'O.
Rather than bring both Sardinian grenadiers and Grenz in a supported attack, Mark opted to bring up the Grenz, give the Spanish a volley, and then close assault the Spanish grenadiers with the Sardinian grenadiers.  General de Corbeau would lead the way into the earthworks.
Corbeau attacks!
The Grenz fire off a volley into the earthworks and many Spanish are cut down. With de Corbeau leading the way, the Sardinians attack Md'O.  Still reeling from the Grenz' volley, the shocked Spanish are overwhelmed.  Md'O is in Piedmontese hands!  While not the suggested method to take the earthworks, Mark's method produced the same result.  D'Aix' Brigade moves forward as it advances upon Spanish positions.  
Give 'em a volley and charge!
Having lost Md'O so quickly, Spanish General de la Mina counters by moving his brigade to put an end to Piedmontese gains.  In a change of tactic from Game #1, Baden negotiates the sunken road to bring elements of his brigade across to threaten the enemy left.  Cincan's Brigade looks on as it refuses to cross the obstacle.
de la Mina moves up to defend the Spanish Right.
von Baden crosses the sunken road. 
Cincan looks on from the safety of the sunken road. 
As the Piedmontese step forward, French artillery rings out.  The bell tolls for a number of Piedmontese as their numbers are reduced.  The Spanish move forward to meet the attacks they know will come.  The French infantry supporting the guns in Cascina Pasquale come under artillery bombardment.
French artillery punishes the advancing Piedmontese.
Spanish move up to secure the Right.
Cascina Pasquale comes under artillery fire.
To counter enemy artillery bombardment against Cascina Pasquale, Chevert leads two regiments of dragon forward.  Standing in their path is a regiment of Swiss.  Having already suffered from French artillery, the Swiss are quickly dispatched.  That is the good news.  The bad news is that the French dragoons are now open to enemy artillery, themselves.
French dragoons attack the Swiss...
but victory leaves them exposed.
Shifting from the Center to the Piedmontese Left, Cincan begins climbing out of the sunken road as von Baden presses on.  Cincan manages to bring his artillery across in anticipation of putting the French Left under threat.  Von Baden attacks the French in Cascina Rullione driving them off.  In turn, General de Courier leads an attack against the farm.  Von Baden is driven out! 
Cincan crosses the sunken road.
von Baden attacks!
de Courrier counterattacks!
Back to the action in the center, Chevert leads his dragoons in against the Piedmontese guns positioned in the earthworks at Valentina.  Despite having seemingly, overwhelming odds, the dragoons are repulsed.  The artillery stands firm.  Having weakened the defenders of Cascina Pasquale, through artillery and musketry, the Piedmontese attack.  In a sharp fight, the defenders are either ejected or destroyed.  Victory is short-lived.  The exhausted Piedmontese are struck in the flank from Camposanto's cavalry.  They are scattered with many taken prisoners.  D'Aix' Brigade is broken in the attacks.  The French move up Camposanto's infantry to plug the hole and consolidate the center.   
Chevert's cavalry attack the guns
while the King sends infantry to take Cascina Pasquale.
Chevert is repulsed.
Piedmontese only hold Pasquale
 briefly before being overrun.
Support arrives to Cascina Pasquale.
With the danger to the French Center reduced, de la Mina goes back onto the attack against Md'O.  Unleashing a supporting volley before the attack, del la Mina leads the attacks against the Spanish grenadiers holding the church.  The pressure is too much and the Sardinian grenadiers evaporate under the Spanish attacks.  Corbeau's Brigade is broken.  The Spanish once again control this vital piece of real estate.
With center stabilized, focus returns to the Right.
The Spanish attack vigorously...
and eject the Sardinians!
Seeing that Md'O has been retaken, Chevert tries again to breech the enemy line at Valintina.  Again, Chevert and his dragoons are repulsed as the Piedmontese gunners refuse to budge.
Repulsed again!
With the Spanish holding onto Md'O only by a thread, Corbeau leads Grenzers into an assault.  To cover the left, the Royal Cavalry charges into the Spanish holding the ground to the south of the church.  Both attacks are successful in driving the Spanish back.  De la Mina's Brigade is broken in these attacks.  
Corbeau attacks!
Madonna dell'Olmo is retaken!
While Md'O has changed hands three times in this battle and in Piedmontese hands now, the hour is late.  After four hours of play, we stop to assess the situation.  

The body count is high and neither army could muster a Sudden Death Victory.  The Gallispans came close to breaking through in several places but simply could not cut their way through the stubborn defenses.  Even though both armies were only one broken brigade removed from collapse, time had run out.  Even a minor victory was not possible.  While the Piedmontese had regained Md'O, they carried two broken brigades to one.
Butcher's Bill
The battle was declared a tactical draw.  Given the strategic implications of the battle, the Austro-Piedmontese Army and King Emmanuele were awarded a strategic victory.  The Gallispans could not defeat the King's field army and the siege of Cuneo could not be sustained.  The Gallispans would need to retire back across the Alps for winter.
Another enjoyable but hard-fought battle ending in a tactical draw.

Great game, fellas!  Well-played all.  Thank you so much for playing.
Until next time.

56 comments:

  1. The king of Sardegna's name was Carlo Emanuele III

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  2. My battle plan was in tatters after only 3 turns and I have to say that Chris and Dave put up one hell of a fight. I was very lucky to scrape a draw. 8 turns to gain a victory is doable for either side - just - but our failure to achieve that here is a sign of a some great scenario design. Hats off to you Jon.

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    1. Your battle plan may have been in tatters put it sure did not look like it. You played a good game all across the table. Your stand with the guns in Valentina was especially remarkable. I thought the enemy would break through but they never did.

      I appreciate your encouraging comments on scenario design. Much appreciated!

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  3. A close fought battle indeed! Your SYW figures look great, as usual.

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    1. Thanks, Scott! Hey, you are back to commenting unanonymously!

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  4. Thanks Jon for a great report and a great game! It was pretty nail-biting stuff, we were flinging 'everything but the kitchen sink' into battle to push back the Piedmontese.. We were 'that close' to breaking through the enemy centre, but Mark's dice-throws saved him!
    It is one heck of a (good!) scenario. Thanks also to Chris and Mark for making it such a good game!

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    1. You are most welcome, David! Great to have you at the table again for the rematch. The battle was hard-fought by everyone. You were so close to breaking through the enemy lines in more than one place. Mark simply would not allow it!

      Happy to see your endorsement of the scenario. I think either army can come away with victory but a hard-fought draw is just as good.

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  5. Very good, there are plenty of accounts of villages changing hands several times in a battle, but wargame tables often seem reluctant to offer this up, with sides usually exhausted after the first or second taking - so it was good to see a bit of back and forth here.

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    1. Thanks, Norm. One of the farms on the other flank changed hands a couple of times too. The key is to have support nearby that can wade into the fray when the first defense fails. Seeing Madonna dell'Olmo change hands three times was satisfying to watch.

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    2. hi Norm, in the post-game chat we agreed that Jon's rules seem to encourage attacking play, and that had a big effect, plus both sides needed to hold Madonna Dell'Olmo as part of their victory conditions, so it was worth fighting over!

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    3. Exactly right, David. Still, the use of RESERVE can counter some of that attacking style.

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  6. Great report Jon.
    That was a hard fought game with lots of twists and turns. A great scenario too. I would highly recommend people trying it.
    Chris/Nundanket

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    1. Thank you, Chris, for another positive endorsement. I like that! The battle was a hard-fought one, for sure.

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    2. Chris, you really 'took it to the enemy' with your full-on attacks, and I think that was the right way to go - made it quite exciting too!

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    3. Very exciting! Too bad that Mark's defense was so darn stubborn.

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  7. The result definitely indicates that this is an even scenario which are the most fun to play. From the photo it seems that the Gallispan casualty count was slightly higher, so a strategic victory to the Austrian-Piedmontese seems a fair result.

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    1. The Gallispan body count was higher but there were a number of Piedmontese units that were barely clinging to life. I agree that a strategic victory for Austro-Piedmontese seemed right.

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  8. After reading both AARs, I would say JBM did a pretty good job, getting a draw for the Piedmontese out of this scenario, as it seems a very hard task!
    Great report as always, Jon, and good to see you back in action!

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    1. JBM did very well. He carried Md'O on T1 and his artillery in the center prevented an enemy breakthrough.

      Thank you, Lawrence! It is good to be back in action!

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  9. Great report- it always seems that the term 'draw' often means that the battle was so closely fought. Some of the best games end up in a draw!

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    1. Thank you, John! A draw can be satisfying in that both armies have a good argument for claiming victory.

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  10. I would of thought that so soon into your recovery from sickness that you would take it easy. Not host a huge slugging match right off the bat. Lol
    Glad to see your back up and running. 😀

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    1. Stew, the battle was already out on table. Packing it away for something smaller would have been wasted opportunities. Besides, the fellas were interested in giving the battle another go.

      Back up and running but not yet quite smoothly.

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  11. Well, after being under the weather, that start was a barn burner! Well laid out, beautiful troops, hard fought, excellent report. You certainly have gotten a good showcase for the 15mm scale, and what's possible with the era.

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    1. Glad you enjoyed the report, Joe! The battle was a good one with lots of punch and counterpunch. Great fun.

      For fighting large battles, 15mm is a good choice.

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  12. That is a grand looking game for the first outing of the year. Glad to hear you illness is behind you.

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  13. Back on form there Jonathan, a fine looking game and report. Hotly fought and no doubt thoroughly enjoyed by all the participants.

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    1. Thanks, Phil! Well, the umpire thoroughly enjoyed the game. I reckon the players did too.

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  14. An excellent game to start the new year.

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  15. A fine return to the gaming table Jon and an action that was much more evenly fought this time, or so it seems to me. Seeing BUA's changing hands several times is always nice to see, as you do get the feel of a hard fought contest for their control, which of course frequently happened. Nice AAR and with so much going on, I read it three times to get it pretty much clear in my head!

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    1. Thanks, Steve! The battle was a tougher fight thin time because Mark stopped all attempts at breaking through the Piedmontese lines. I hope the re-reading three times was not due to my confusing prose.

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    2. Not at all Jon! It's trying to keep tabs on action spread across the table and what 'close up' relates to which part etc. I learnt for my own AAR's to take on overview of the table from the same postion each Turn, as it helped me make sense of my scribbled notes.

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    3. I ought to remember to snap a screenshot every turn.

      Notes? You take notes?

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    4. Yep, for each Turn as an aide memoire for when I get to write the AAR, helped by looking at the photos too. Much less effort required for say HoW, much more for BKC due to the combined nature of the action and the ability for Opportunity Fire etc. I also scribble thoughts as I go along on what is working, what not, what I could have done etc for the post game thoughts part. Easy to do this solo, much less so FtF and almost impossible when running a remote game!

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    5. Indeed! Taking notes is a luxury of solo gaming and nearly impossible when umpiring a remote game.

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  16. Splendid stuff Jonathan…
    Certainly a hotly contested battle…

    All the best. Aly

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  17. Glad you are well on the mend Jon and a great looking battle

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  18. Epic close run battle and a draw sounds like a fair result!
    Best Iain caveadsum1471

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    1. Can't sign into Google in chrome anymore, hopefully not forever!
      Best Iain

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    2. That explains it! Hope you get it worked out.

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  19. As always such a great battle review of such a difficult battle to refight on a table. Thank you for your photos and impressions of the battle. Cheers!

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    1. Thank you! I owe you for setting the stage and piquing my interest in this battle.

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    2. Thank you so much Jon for allowing me to witness your game, getting tips for remote gaming, and advice for similar future efforts at our home. Thank you to the gents for allowing me to learn the game, history and fun of the game and period. Much appreciated!

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    3. Erik, you are most welcome! Glad you could sit in to see a remote game in action. There will be plenty of opportunities down the road to take command rather than observe.

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