Campaign Move 35 – French abandon Perschia

Move 35 – 2000 6 September 1796

As the Austrian’s prepare to attack Perschia, the French abandon the town and retire across the river Minicio towards Lonato.

Bonaparte has now withdrawn his entire army to the west bank of the Minicio.

Wurmster has now moved his army to the west bank of the river Aidgo.

He has also taken Verona and  Perschia

However Mantua is still under siege

He now has to cross the river Minicio if he is to raise the siege.

Campaign Move 34 – French enter Lonato

Move 34 – 1600 6 September 1796

3^rd French division enters Lonato

Bonaparte halts 4^th division at Perschia to delay the Austrian pursuit.

Wurmster is having problems moving his divisions through Verona.

He orders 2^nd division to by pass the city to the north and take the lead

However they are blocked by the French holding Perschia

Wurmster must now deploy his superior strength to attack Perschia.

Meanwhile his 3^rd division has reached Arcola and secured the bridge over the river Aidge.

Campaign Move 33 – French retreat to Lonato

Move 33 – 1200 6 September 1796

Bonaparte has planned to concentrate at Perschia, but the Austrian attack on Verona had made that impossible.   He orders the retreat to continue to Lonato.

The French army are running short of supplies, and must gain time to establish a supply depot there, rest and recover.

Wurmster enters Verona.   

He must now decide whether to pursue Bonaparte with the whole of his army, or to move south and raise the siege of Mantua.

His three divisions west of the river have created a traffic jam moving into and through Verona.

He orders his three divisions west of the river to move west and prevent Bonaparte from moving south to reinforce the siege.

3^rd Austrian division is still east of the river, they are sent south to raise the siege of Mantua.   They will cross to the west bank at Villagranca and move to Mantua.

Campaign Move 32 – French hold Verona

Move 32 – 2000 5 September 1796

Throughout the afternoon both sides exchange artillery fire

The Austrian gunners concentrate on 4^th French division, who hold the city and main bridge.   Their cavalry are deployed to delay the Austrian approach.  They suffer casualties and fail their morale.  The Austrian cavalry charge and rout them, but the supporting infantry form square and hold the bridge.

By nightfall 4^th Austrian division has crossed the river Aidge and joined 1^st and 2^nd divisions.   But it is too late to attack the city.   3^rd division is still east of the river and exchanging artillery fire with Verona.

Under cover of darkness Bonaparte orders his army to abandon Verona and march west towards Perschia.

Campaign Move 31 – Austrians attack Verona

Move 30 – 1600 5 September 1796

Wurmster outnumbers Bonaparte by four divisions to three.

However his army is separated by the river Aidge.

1^st and 2^nd divisions are to the west of the river

3^rd and 4^th divisions are to the east of the river

Bonaparte has his 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th divisions in and around the city

4^th division is already deployed in the city and holding the bridge

3^rd division is ordered to take and hold the hill to the west of the city

5^th division is still moving through the city

It is clear to Wurmster that his two divisions west of the river are not strong enough to take the city on their own.

It is also clear that he will not be able to force the Verona bridge unless he can attack it from the north and east at the same time

By late afternoon both 1^st and 2^nd Austrian divisions have deployed north of the city

4^th Austrian division is sent north along the east bank to cross the river

3^rd Austrian division artillery engages the enemy gunners but to no avail