Great Italian Wars - Reading (and Listening) List

When a new wargaming period captures my interest, collecting a period specific reading list is typically not far behind.  After watching Jake's project blossom followed by his hosting a very enjoyable Italian Wars' game, I began pondering the possibility of fielding my own force.  Although an order from Wargames Foundry was in-hand, the project really made a leap up the queue with the arrival of an already painted collection.  What this instant army did was pull me forward in the more usual, project life cycle.  For most newly launched projects, plenty of time exists for getting up to speed on the historical background before the first combat formation can be fielded.  With my instant army, I have a need to quickly attain a modicum of background on the period.

To that end, I picked up a thirty-six lecture series on the Italian Renaissance from The Teaching Company. This series of lectures was an excellent introduction to the period for me and highly enjoyable during my 600 mile round trip monthly commute.  Aside from the lecturer's sometimes annoying pronunciations of a few words, I highly recommend the course for those interested in the Italian Renaissance.  My understanding of the lectures was enhanced by my trip to Florence and Rome in 2014 and Venice in 2009.  Places and personalities discovered on the ground in Italy were given an enlightening context.   

In addition to the lecture series, I picked up a quartet of books to provide added background material.

The books are:
The Renaissance At War by Arnold
Mercenaries and their Masters, Warfare in Renaissance Italy by Mallett
The Italian Wars 1494-1559 by Mallett and Shaw
The Art of War in Italy 1494-1529 by Taylor

Only a brief flip through each at this point but I look forward to tackling one or two of these on my next trip.

Besides these and a number of Ospreys, what are other books focusing on the wars during the 1494-1529 period that should be added? 

Austrian IR 3/37 for 1859 Project

IR 37 Battalion 3

The third battalion of IR 37 marches off from the painting desk.  One more battalion needed to bring IR 37 up to its full complement of four battalions.

IR 37 Battalion 3 

The culmination of this week's work at
the painting desk on two battalions of IR 37.

Looking back at my project notes, the last time I assessed project progress was a little over two years ago.  While the Risorgimento has not seen focused efforts during that intervening period, progress has been steady.  Exactly how much progress has been accomplished?  I will sharpen my pencil and see.   

Austrian Line for the 1859 Project

Progress on the 1859 project continues with work on a battalion of Austrian infantry.  While difficult to identify the battalion by their regimental collar tabs in 15mm, this group of 18 figures musters out as IR 2/37.  Figures are Old Glory.

Following closely on the footsteps of IR 2/37 will be the IR 3/37.

A number of other units destined for the 1859 project are also in the painting pipeline.  These 1859 units include, one, three battalion regiment of French line infantry; 12 figure regiment of Austrian Uhlans; and one 12-figure battalion of Sardinian Bersaglieri.  All three units are Lancashire Games' figures.

Departing momentarily from the 1859 project after the French infantry, however, will likely be 12 French heavy cavalry for the 1799 project.  The French cavalry are part of the recent influx of 1859 Lancashire lead.  Very crisp detailing on these early French cavalry and I am anxious to see how they look once fitted out with a coat of paint.

Battle of Raab - Eugene vs Johan

Battle of Raab - Center of Austrian line

Troops have been rousted from their boxes, OBs checked, and commands placed onto the game table.  For a battle on the periphery of the 1809 campaign, Raab was a rather large affair with both combatants roughly equal in numbers.

The French, under Eugene, had recently received French reinforcements to augment their army.  The Austrians, under the command of Archduke Johan had received reinforcements too.  Unfortunately for Johan, many of his troops consisted of Hungarian Insurrectio troops of suspect quality.

Johan took up an excellent defensive position centered on the Szabadhegy Heights south of the fortress of Raab.  His center was anchored by the fortress-like farm of Kis-Megyer.  Johan's right was protected by the Fortress Raab, itself, and his left by the impenetrable Pancza Marsh.The Pancza brook had steep and marshy banks which could only be crossed by cavalry and artillery at fords near the Upper Bridge.

Initial dispositions

With Victory Points clustered in the center of the Austrian line, to win Eugene must assault the Szabadhegy Heights and push Johan from his fine, defensive roost.

In the center of the Austrian line, the prominent terrain features are illustrated in the photo below.  Whomever controls the center on the east bank of the Pancza controls the outcome of the battle.

Key terrain objectives

The combatants are arrayed for battle as shown in the photo below.

Initial troop dispositions

Note that the Austrian defensive line is sprinkled with a number of either Green or Militia rated Insurrectio formations.  These Insurrection troops will likely have great difficulty standing toe-to-toe against the higher quality French and Italians unless in good defensive positions or well supported.

In past games, the key to French victory has relied on getting the better quality cavalry across the Pancza on the French right, driving off the inferior Hungarian cavalry and turning Johan's position.  Making a bridgehead across the Upper Pancza has sometimes been difficult to accomplish in a timely manner.

Battlefield viewed from NW

As an aside, during game preparation, labels had to be affixed to each stand.  Many of the troop stands still carried the labels from the 2009 Raab replay.  Shocking!  Cannot believe it has been six years since these figures have seen action on the gaming table.  Clearly, it has been far too long since the Austrians have been out of their storage boxes.  I must make an effort to rotate them into games with greater regularity.

Since my plan is to refight this battle as a leisurely, solo exercise, if any reader is interested in taking command with respect to battle planning, order writing and implementation, and personal battlefield heroics, drop me an email via the Contact Form as shown below and declare any preference.

I will then carry out your orders on the tabletop and keep you apprised of the results and when personal intervention is warranted.  

Who knows, perhaps your leadership will make the difference between victory or defeat?

A Project Jumpstart

After watching Jake's Renaissance project grow (see Jake's progress) and participating in the first Great Italian Wars Impetvs game (see BatRep), I figured I ought to build a force as well.  Can't help myself...

Having ordered many handfuls of Wargames Foundry figures and rounded up a few painting guides, I was prepared to begin working on a few figures at a time dispersed among my other projects.

Near the end of January, the opportunity arose to give this fledgling project a HUGE shot in the arm.  That opportunity?  To buy a friend's collection.  The collection consisted of Old Glory figures and the Old Glory sculpts are really nice.  The painting?  Exquisite!

Enough pikemen were included to field three pike blocks of 39 figures each along with swordsmen, and two guns.  These figures provide force large enough for a core army to which I plan on adding handgunners and horse.

Although the figures arrived based, I removed the figures from their bases and replanted the figures on Impetvs-sized bases.  I cannot imagine how long it might have taken me to field this many intricately painted pikemen.  

Enjoy the artistry from Phil's brush in a sampling of the collection photos below as they ready themselves for battle.

Now, I have a few pike columns to contribute to the next battle.

Phil, thank you so very much for the wonderful figures!

15mm French Line for the 1859 Project

Moving beyond the recent spate of 28mm Napoleonics, the 1859 Risorgimento project receives some attention.  In a switch from fielding Austrian and Sardinian combatants, today's post witnesses the fielding of French infantry in their snappy pantaloon rouge. 

In addition to the switch to French, these are the first Lancashire French to cross the painting desk.  These 36 figures muster out as 3 x 12 figure battalions of the 45th Line Regiment.

Lancashire Games' French figures match well with JTFM Enterprises' When Navy Walked and Old Glory's French infantry.

To field at least a Corps' worth of French, much painting lays ahead.

Sticking to the 1859 project, next off the painting desk will likely be two Austrian line battalions.  After that, maybe a cavalry reinforcement for the project. 

Battle of Raab - The Set Up

Having refought the Battle of Raab (14JUN1809) on more than one occasion, my initial plan was to transcribe notes taken during one of these earlier contests and present the action as a From the Vault topic.  As I transcribed my battle notes, I realized that the archived game photos did not match the dialogue.  What?  Clearly, the collection of photos originated from a game different from my battle notes.  If I want an account of the battle, I must replay it.  Too bad, the earlier battle accounts were really riveting!

Battleground looking from the south towards Raab

The Battle of Raab was fought as a sideshow to the main events along the Danube in the summer of 1809.  While Napoleon was confronting Charles along the Danube, Napoleon sent his step son, Eugene, to interdict and prevent Charles' brother, the Archduke John, from joining Charles' main army at Vienna.  These two forces met outside the fortress of Raab along the banks of the Pancza brook.

Although John's forces were of questionable quality, John had deployed in good defensive ground protected by a marshy and often steeply banked stream.  Eugene might have a tough time successfully attacking such a position.

Planned axis of French attacks

Battle of Raab -- Scenario Special Rules using Republique+

• Game begins with the 10:00AM game turn and ends at 8:00PM.
• Austrians begin with “Defend” orders for all Corps except for the Reserve which is under “Reserve” orders. 
• French Corps commanders begin with orders accepted. Divisional orders must be sent.
• Pancza Brook. The upper Pancza is protected by steep embankments and soft ground.  The Pancza is fordable by infantry at all places.  Artillery may only cross at the bridge.  Before French cavalry may cross, a fording path must be found.  For each unit attempting to cross, roll 2D6.  On a roll of 6 or less, that French cavalry unit may cross. Cavalry may not assault across the ford.  Formed units take 1M on entry. 
• Pancza Marsh. Impassable to all. If forced to retreat/rout into the marsh, a unit is destroyed.
• All woods are considered open.
• The woods and hills modifiers are not cumulative. If both terrain types are present, the unit moving into or through pays the penalty of the worst terrain feature.
• Villages. Only one unit may occupy. Class B – Solid Cover. 
• Kis-Megyer Farm. Only one unit may occupy each section. Class A – Heavy cover. Ranged fire is ineffective against the upper section.
• French Reinforcements: 
• Pully arrives on western board edge at 1:00pm with maneuver orders and will move towards HQ. 
• Lecchi arrives on western board edge at 2:00pm with maneuver orders and will move towards HQ. 
• Pacthod arrives on western board edge at 2:30pm with maneuver orders and will move towards HQ. 
• Austrian Reinforcements: None.

Battleground looking towards the south from Raab

Victory Conditions:
Victory is calculated as a function of both casualties incurred and terrain objectives taken. At the conclusion of the game, victory points are awarded for the following:

• For each leader killed or wounded the opposing player receives 30 points.
• For each BMU destroyed, the opposing player receives 10 points.
• Controlling each village/church/Szabadhegy Heights (Fr/Au): 50/100 points. 
• Kis-Megyer Farm (Fr/Au): 50/100 points for controlling each section.

Total each player's points.
Victory Margin (for player with Larger Point Total) = Larger Point Total - Smaller Point Total.

• Victory Margin <= 100 points. Victory Level = Draw.
• 100 < Victory Margin <= 250 points. Victory Level = Tactical.
• Victory Margin > 250 points. Victory Level = Strategic

Raab Order of Battle

Below are two, old "at start" photos from those earlier battles:

Raab 2003

Raab 2009

This time, I will attempt to keep the narrative congruent with the photos...