Friday 8 March 2019

Somewhere in North Italy part two - the preamble

I had planned that the first four people to arrive would be the French. That worked well and John, Rob (Anderson of Reiver Miniatures), Nigel and Richard were allowed to make their plans in the Burrow with the actual table set out before them. After a great deal of negotiation John was made/volunteered or whatever to be the French CinC, Louis de Bourbon,  otherwise known as The Great Condé. King Louis XIV was on the table but I assumed he would leave the actual soldiering to the Condé, although I did make allowances for him the interfere. (evil laugh)

The remaining players all travelled together so Steve and Paul S were the Savoyards and Jim the Spanish. They were deposited in the conservatory with coffee and only given the following three photos of the games table, taken roughly from the perspective and level of the Duke of Savoy's headquarters. It was obviously difficult for them to see very much, which made planning a challenge, but to me is better than allowing them to see the entire tabletop. Steve was the Duke of Savoy in charge of his Ducal troops, while the Spanish were an independent command under Jim.
The French right - it looks rather devoid of troops.
The French centre - a mass of horsemen and  large battery of cannon can be made  out on the hill.
The Savoyard infantry and beyond them the village of Grolla Dell'Amizizia,and beyond that was the invisible French left.
Below are the orders of battle and briefing notes for both sides. 

THE BATTLE OF GROLLO DELL'AMIZIZIA, 8 MARCH 1669

FRENCH ARMY

Commander in Chief: Louis XIV (8) 'assisted' by Louis de Bourbon, Duc de Condé (10) who was the actual CinC for the game.

Cavalry:

Brigade : Francois-Henri Montmeroncy, Duc de Luxembourg (9)Gardes du Corps x 3
Grenadiers a cheval x 1
Mousquetiers du Roi x 1
Gens d’Armes de France x 2 (Gallopers)

Brigade: Marquis de Sourdis (8)
Cuirassiers du Roi x 3

Brigade : Duc de Navailles (8)
Chevau-Legere x 5

Brigade: Duc de Lorges (8)
Dragoons x 2

Infantry:
Brigade: Hercule de Rohan, Comte du Rochefort (9)
Gardes Francais x 1
Gardes Suisse x 1
Fusiliers du Roi x 1
Artillery x 1 light gun

Brigade: Comte de Fourilles (8)
Swiss Foot x 3 (Veteran)
German Foot x 1
‘Scots’ Foot x 1
Artillery x 1 light gun

Brigade: Marquis de Villeroi (9)
French Foot x 4
Artillery x 1 light gun

Brigade: Comte des Souches (8)
French Foot x 4
Artillery x 1 light gun

Army Artillery x 3 heavy guns

Total: 15 regiments of horse, 2 regiments of dragoons, 16 battalions, 7 batteries.

French Objectives:

You, the Great Condé, command a fine army graced by the presence of his Majesty the King. You have marched through Savoy, brushing aside all resistance, and are now in Genoese territory. Most of the army is currently sitting astride the lines of communication of the army of the Duke of Savoy, which had been fighting a (too) successful campaign against the Serene Republic of Genoa and an insurrection in its own lands by heretic Huguenot rebels, the Waldensians. The presence of a strong Savoy, allied to the Spanish and the Empire, on the south-eastern border is not something that can be tolerated. The Duke needs putting in his place.

Only part of your army is currently with you. The remainder is marching to join you in order to crush the Duke of Savoy’s army before their allies the Spanish can arrive and tip the balance numerically against you. Unit for unit your troops are superior to those of most of the enemy.

During the night your dragoons under M le Duc de Lorges have, unknown to the enemy, occupied the unoccupied village of Grolla Dell’Amizizia. They have uncovered a significant amount of supplies and powder destined for the army of the Duke.

Defeating the enemy is your prime objective thus teaching the ambitious Duke of Savoy that his country is not yet ready ‘to play with the grownups!’ Holding the village (or destroying the supplies), both bridges and the Abbey will further cement your victory as this will isolate the Savoyards and force them to sue for peace and a beg for safe passage back to their territory.

THE SAVOYARD/SPANISH ARMY
Commander in Chief: Prince Charles Emmanuele II, Duke of Savoy (8)

Cavalry: Brigade: General Conte di Sfogliatelli (8)
Gardia del Corpo x 1

Brigade: Charles V Leopold Duke of Lorraine (8)
‘Imperial’ Cuirassier x 4

Brigade: General Count von Konigsmark (8)
‘German’ Horse x 4

Unattached: (Marauders)
Savoy Dragoons x1

Infantry:
Brigade: General Grignolino di Montferato (8)
Savoy Footguards x 1
Savoyard Foot (Swiss) x 1 (Veteran)
Savoy Foot x 3
Artillery x 2 light guns

Brigade: General Count Paniscia di Novara (9)

German/Imperial Foot x 5 (newly raised)
Artillery x 1 light gun

Army artillery: x 1 heavy and 2 medium guns


Spanish Army: Captain-General the Marquis de Assentar (9) Acts as ‘mini CinC for Spanish
General Don Diego de la Vega (7)
Spanish Foot x 5 (veteran)
Italian Foot x 2 (newly raised)
Artillery x 1 heavy gun

General Nero d’Avola (7)
Spanish Cuirassiers x 2
Spanish Dragoons x 1

Total: 13 regiments of horse, 17 battalions of foot, 2 dragoons, 7 batteries

Savoyard Objectives:
You the Duke of Savoy have been waging wars against both the upstart Republic of Genoa and the heretic Huguenot Waldensians in your own lands who refuse to convert to the true faith. Sadly your marked success in waging this two-fronted war has alarmed the French who are fearful of a strong Savoy, allied to the Spanish and the Hapsburgs, on their southern borders.

The French (with the King at their head) have invaded the Duchy, pushed aside the forces left to safeguard your rear, moved into Genoese territory, and are now sitting astride your lines of communication cutting your army off from further supplies.

The Ducal (Savoy) forces are deployed for battle, and it appears that the French army to your west is not yet up to full strength. Your Spanish allies are marching to your aid and are expected to arrive from the south west. The ‘German’ brigade of General Paniscia di Novara is yet to arrive, and is expected from the south east.

You must sweep aside the French army, retain control of the road, both the bridges and the village of Grolla Dell’Amizizia where significant supplies are known to be stockpiled. The latter is not garrisoned by your troops.

Spanish Objectives:
You, the Marquis d’Assentar, command a portion of the Spanish army of Naples. You have marched north through the Papal lands, Tuscany and Modena, and are now in Genoese territory.

The enemy is currently sitting astride the lines of communication of the army of the Duke of Savoy, which had been fighting a (too) successful campaign against the Serene Republic of Genoa and an insurrection in its own lands by heretic Huguenot rebels, the Waldensians. The presence of a strong Savoy, allied to the Spanish and the Empire, on the south-eastern border is not something that can be tolerated by the French but is vital to the interests of Spain. The Duke needs your support in order to ensure that in any future conflict the French will have to leave troops to guard all their southern borders.

Your forces have yet to rendezvous with the Duke of Savoy, and when you do your combined strength will be enough to tip the balance in your favour. However, your force is weak in artillery and horse, which may put your troops at a disadvantage.

You must ensure that the French are defeated and that the Duke of Savoy does not grab all the glory for himself! You should of course fight to the last Italian in this endeavour!

I will post the after action report once the photos have been sorted out. We used Pike and Shotte as the basis for the rules with a number of house and period specific rules. 

4 comments:

  1. What a fabulous looking table Colin. I look forward to read the battle report.

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  2. Love the three pictures idea, I'm nicking that at some point.

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  3. Looking forward to the pictures 🙂

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  4. Lovely stuff! Can't wait to read the report.

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