Campaign Move 25 – Battle of Rivoli

Move 25 – 1600 3 September 1796

1^st and 2^nd Austrian divisions launch their attack on Rivoli

Bonaparte arrives on the battlefield with 4^th French division just in time.

He orders his cavalry to engage the Austrian horse to allow 4^th division to deploy

The Austrian cavalry win the melee and rout the French.

The French cavalry rout causes panic amongst the French gunners, who also flee

Bonaparte has lost his cavalry and artillery and has no alternative but to order a general retreat.

To the west Wurmster has entered Montebello with the other half of the Austrian army

5^th French division is marching east  towards Verona

Campaign Move 24 – Battle of Rivoli

Move 24 – 1200 3 September 1796

1^st and 2^nd Austrian divisions attack 3^rd French division at Rivoli

The Austrians approach the town with caution, as they are unaware of the exact French deployment.

Bonaparte is approaching the battlefield with 4^th French division.

To the west Wurmster is approaching Montebello with the other half of the Austrian army

The Battle of Rivoli

Campaign Map at start of battle

Massena has orders to hold Rivoli at all costs.

Rivoli commands the exit from the mountains to the north to the flat lands of the south

1^st and 2^nd Austrian divisions must take the town to open the road to Mantua

Bonaparte is approaching Rivoli with 4^th French divisiion

Table at start of battle

Rivoli is the town centre right

The river Aidge is on the right

Massena’s division is deployed either side of town

1^st and 2^nd Austrian division will arrive top of table at the start of move 1

Bonaparte and 4^th French division will arrive bottom of table at start of move 1

Massena’s division in and either side of Rivoli

1^st Austrian division is commanded by Quosdanovich (poor)

2^nd Austrian division is commanded by Sebottendorf (average)

Bonaparte is a gifted commander

3^rd French division is commanded by Massena (average)

4^th French division is commanded by Argereau (poor)

Each division has 3200 infantry, 320 cavalry and 320 gunners

Move 1 – 0800 to 0900                                

Bottom left - Bonaparte approaches the woods at the head of 4^th French division

Centre right - 3^rd French division in Rivoli waits to see what the Austrians will do

Top right -  1^st  Austrian division moves towards river

Top left-  2^nd Austrian division moves through the pass towards Rivoli

  

Move 2 – 0900 to 1000

Bottom left - 4^th French division send their cavalry to secure the northern exit from the woods

Centre right - 3^rd French division deploy between Rivoli and the river

Top left - 2^nd Austrian division send their cavalry to counter French dragoons

Top right - 1^st  Austrian division move over hills towards Rivoli, cavalry deploy near river

Move 3 – 1000 to 1100

Bottom left – 4^th French division pass through the woods behind their cavalry screen

Centre right - 3^rd French division deploy between Rivoli and the bridge

Top left - 2^nd Austrian division start to deploy south of the pass

Top right - 1^st  Austrian division start to deploy between road and river

Move 4 – 1100 to 1200

Bottom left – 4^th French division start to deploy north of woods

Centre right - 3^rd French division advance  between Rivoli and the river

Top left - 2^nd Austrian division continue to deploy south of hills

Top right - 1^st  Austrian division prepare to attack

Move 5 – 1200 to 1300

Centre left – 4^th French division deploy north of woods

Centre right - 3^rd French division in position between Rivoli and the river

Top left - 2^nd Austrian division prepare to engage French

Top right - 1^st  Austrian division open fire on Rivoli

Move 6 – 1300 to 1400

Centre left – 4^th French division cavalry suffer first casualties

Centre right - 3^rd French division move reserves to right of Rivoli

Top left - 2^nd Austrian division advance to engage French

Top right - 1^st  Austrian division continue to fire on Rivoli but with no effect

Move 7 – 1400 to 1500

Centre left – Austrian cavalry charge and rout French cavalry, who take the gunners with them

Centre right – Austrian cavalry again rout French cavalry, but remainder of division stands firm

Top left - 2^nd Austrian division advance to engage French

Top right - 1^st Austrian division skirmish with Rivoli garrison, artillery advance from hill

  

Move 8 – 1500 to 1600

Centre left – French gunners break and run.  

Centre right – French gunners and infantry rout

Top left - 2^nd Austrian division advance and rout French

Top right - 1^st Austrian division skirmish with Rivoli garrison

 

 

Summary

French casualties were 480 infantry, 80 cavalry and 80 gunners

Austrian casualties were 100 infantry

Bonaparte has lost his cavalry and artillery, and two of his infantry brigades are shaken.

He orders a general retreat

We used our own wargame rules to fight the battle

They can be found here

http://napoleonicwargamerules.blogspot.com/