Salute 2009 - Game Report

Well, that was an enjoyable day in the end, if a bit tiring. I set off at 5am and got down to Excel in about 2 hours. Unloading went smoothly once a trolley was available and the rest of our small crew arrived.

The game was set-up quite quickly, the terrin boards looking good overall. The first photos show the initial deployment, at approximately 4pm on the first day of Wagram:

1. The view from the South-East2. The view from the South, with Aspern to the left and Essling to the right. Lobau island is on the bottom right of the picture

3. A closer view of Lobau and the bridges

4. A view of the Danube and the Geminde Au close to Aspern

5. A view of the battlefield from the North-West. The Austrian reserve are in the foreground, coming off the high-ground to tackle the advancing French:

6. The view from the North East is shown below.

During the day, we played a few turns of the game, but spent most our time talking to interested show-goers about the game, the battle and the joys of 6mm napoleonic gaming. The photos below show the position of the armies going in to day 2 of the battle, which will continue at Partizan.

7. View from the South East. The font-lines are engaged along the Russbach, Oudinot has taken losses in the centre following a rather rash attempt to storm the Austrians by wading across the stream. The french cavalry reserve have positioned themselves in the centre of the battlefield with Marmont's Army of Dalmatia (XI Corps) coming up in column.

8. On the French right, Davout has not yet made a significant move with his infantry, but his light cavalry and Grouchy's dragoons have outflanked the Austrians by forcing the bridges over the Russbach:

9. Looking northwards from the Danube, the battlelines can be seen curving round from the bottom-left (Where austrian VI Korps is advancing on Aspern) right through to Davout in the top-left:

10. West of Wagram, the Austrian reserve heavy cavalry observe the French advance between Wagram (L) and Aderklaa (R). They are supported by the reserve light cavalry.

11. The troops of the Army of Italy advance on Aderklaa:

12. The Saxons of Bernadotte's IX Corps swing westwards to engage the Austrians:

13. Massena's IV corps spreads out to guard Napoleon's left flank:

14. A view along the Russbach from west to east. Oudinot in the foreground with Davout further east:

15. The view from the Wagram heights overlooking Oudinot's advance in the centre. Autrian II Korps is ready for the onslaught and has already dished out punishment to the reckless French:

16. Part of Davout's veteran III corps begins to form up ready to attack in force. A column of Bavarians is moving up behind them:

17. The French reserve cavalry await orders:

18. The Bavarians advance ready to support Oudinot's right wing and advance up the heights to engage II Korps:

19. Meanwhile, Oudinot's right wing prepares to go in again:

20. Another view of the link between Oudinot (L) and Davout (R) with the Bavarians in support:

21. A closer view of Oudinot preparing his troops to storm the bridge and stream:

22. The Austrians observe, confident in their defensive position:

23. Here comes Marmont! The Army of Dalmatia is only the size of one of Davout's divisions, but it might be a critical reserve force:

24. Speaking of Davout's veterans:

25. The Austrian I Korps overlook Deutsch-Wagram:

26. Another view along the front line at about 4am on day 2:

27. ..and the corresponding view down the west flank towards the Danube. The Austrian counterattack is coming in from the right, forcing some hasty re-deployment by the French and Saxons:

28. A final shot of the entire battlefield, from the North East

All in all, a great day. Thans to everyone who made kind comments and showed interest in the game. I'll shortly be putting the latest version of the rules and a copy of the flyer on the paintingshed yahoo group.

cheers!