The Battle of Bassignana 27th September 1745.

 This article is my personal interpretation of this battle. Any mistakes are my own.

By the early part of 1745 the war in Italy had not been going well for either the Spanish or French Monarchies. These countries were allies along with familial ties, however each had differing war aims which were hampering operations in the field.

Genoa had become the central headquarters for the “Gallispan Army”, and it was here that a strategy was devised to cut off the Piedmontese from their Austrian Allies. Also, instead of invading the Kingdom from the west ( a move which had already failed once), the attack would start from the south-east. The French General Jean-Baptiste Francois des Marets, Marquis de Maillebois and his Spanish counterpart, Jean Thierry du Mont, Compte de Gages vied for command.

.The French King, Louis 15th yielded to to his Spanish uncle King Philip 5th, giving Gages overall command.

This decision bought a measure of cohesion in military planning with De Gages and Maillebois working as a team. In part they were aided by the movements of the Austrian forces. The Austrian General Schulenburg had moved his forces westward to support the Piedmontese leaving some towns in north central Italy uncovered.

In the early part of 1745, the Franco-Spanish army of 58,000 men started its march north-west toward Piedmontese territory. 8000 men were sent out north and north-east to capture the towns of Parma and Piacenza which capitulated without a fight. These actions also caused the Austrians to move their forces north across the Po to cover Milan and north-east to protect their communications with Austria.

Charles Emmanuel the King of Piedmont became alarmed that the Austrians were moving away from his troops. Even Schulenburg moved his force north, across the Po so that he could move east if required. Despite his pleas to the Austrians to stay, Charles Emmanuel and his Generals realised that they would have face the French and Spanish alone.

The Piedmontese army was a finite force. The King had reached the limits of recruitment and could only rely on the civilian population to support the regulars. Against the French and Spanish, the Piedmontese mustered 30,000 which included battalions of militia. Field entrenchments were relied upon to offset the numerical disparity with the enemy.

The river Tanaro marked the eastern line of the Piedmontese defence. At the northern end where the Tanaro entered the Po, the village of Bassignana was fortified. At the Southern end, Montecastello was also strengthened with defence works. Riverone,at the centre of the Line was a fall back position for troops positioned near the river bank. In the event that these positions were overwhelmed, the  troops were ordered to move west toward either Alessandria or Valenza.

In the days leading up to the battle, Gallispan detachments had been sent across the Tanaro to spy out the land. By persuing them the Piedmontese inadvertently revealed the fords across the river. Plans were now made for the attack, which would be made in  six columns. On the morning of the 27th as the sun rose, trumpets and drums sounded the advance. The Battle for the Kingdom’s survival had begun ————-.

 

THE FRENCH ARMY; 25,500 = 25.5pts x 2 = 51pts.

21,500 Infantry ( inc Generals) = 21.5pts x 2 = 43pts.

4,000 Cavalry = 4pts x 2 = 8 points.

8 Guns each with 50 gunners = 400 = 0.400pts x 2 = 0.800 pts or 1pt r/u.

1 General ( Maillebois )  @ 2points.

1 General Senneterre @ 1 point.

1 General Grammont  @ 1 point.

1 General Montal  @ 1 point.

2 stands of Grenadier Infantry @ 4pts = 8 points.

9 stands of Line Infantry  @ 3pts = 27 points.

1 stand of Light Infantry  @ 2pts.

4 stands of Line Cavalry  @ 2pts = 8 points.

1 stand of Light Artillery  @ 1 point.

THE SPANISH ARMY 24,500 = 24.5pts x 2 = 49 points.

21,000 Infantry ( inc Generals ) = 21pts x 2 = 44 points.

2,000 Cavalry = 2pts x 2 = 4 points.

7 Guns each with 50 gunners = 350 gunners = 0.350pts x 2 = 0.700 or 1 point r/u.

1 General  and C-in-C ( De Gages )  @ 2 points.

1 General ( Aremburu )  @  1 point.

2 stands of Guard Infantry @ 4pts = 8 points.

7 stands of Line Infantry @ 3pts = 21 points.

2 stands of Genoese Line Infantry @ 2pts = 4 points.

2 stands of Modena Line Infantry @ 2pts = 4 points.

2 stands of Light Infantry @ 2pts = 4 points.

2 stands of Line Cavalry @ 2pts = 4 points.

1 stand of Light Artillery @ 1 point.

PIEDMONTESE ARMY; 30,000 = 30 points x 2 = 60 points.

26,000 Infantry ( inc Generals ) = 26pts x 2 = 52 points.

3,000 Cavalry = 3 points x 2 = 6pts.

20 Guns each with 50 gunners = 1,000 gunners = 1pt x 2 = 2points..

1 General ( C-in-C ) Charles Emmanuel @ 3 points.

1 General  ( Castagnole )  @ 1 point.

2 stands of Grenadier Infantry @ 4pts = 8 points.

10 stands of Line Infantry @ 3pts = 30 points.

2 stands of Vaudois Militia Infantry @ 2pts = 4 points.

3 stands of Civilian Infantry  @ 2pts = 6 points..

3 stands of Line Cavalry @ 2pts = 6 points.

2 stands of Light Artillery @ 1pt = 2 points.

THE AUSTRIANS;

I have not attached any numbers to this little group of stands. Schulenburg’s efforts at support were reduced to erratic and ineffective Artillery fire from the north side of  the Po. The few stands just represent a presence. Each stand can fire but cannot move forward.

The Austrians:

General Schulenburg  @ 1pt.

1 stand of Cavalry  @ 2pts.

1 stand of Line Infantry  @ 3pts.

1 stand of Light Artillery  @ 1pt.

PLAYING RULES:

* The Piedmontese retain the Initiative Point for the entire battle. All the troops of both sides were seasoned. However the Piedmontese were fighting for their homeland.

* The Piedmontese win any tied results.

* The Tanaro was waist deep. Stands being moved into the river must halt. Their move can be continued on the next Game-Turn.

* Stands cannot fire while they are within the river.

* The river Po cannot be crossed except by bridge or boat.

* The French and Spanish Army moves first on the first Game-Turn. From Game-Turns 2 to 8 both sides have dice rolled to determine which side moves and fires first.

* The Game will be played for eight Game-Turns. 

VICTORY.

The Piedmontese must stay on the field for eight Game-Turns in order to get a draw.

The French and Spanish win if they drive the Piedmontese from all three villages after eight Game-Turns.

Note: apart from the overall numbers, I don’t know exactly how they were split between France and Spain so it’s a bit of a guesstimation my part.

In regard to the Piedmontese, I set the army at 30,000  with militia making up the total. Four years of fighting, had certainly worn the army down in numbers but not it’s fighting spirit nor it’s loyalty to the Monarch.

The French and Spanish continually suffered from a paucity of artillery, even going so far as to borrow guns from the Vatican!. The Piedmontese only had a small train of rather elderly guns, but the crews were very professional and well trained.

* In one description of the battle the Franco Spanish army is described as being in three groups of two Columns . Whereas a diagram says five. I think Aramburu’s column was large enough to be mistaken for two columns. so I’ve settled for five columns in all.

CREDITS:

The figures are a mix of Miniature Figurines, Peter Pig and Essex. The work parties are Hallmark figures still available from Magister Militum. The stands are of picture-framing cardboard. The round 40mm mdf bases are from Minibits.

All the buildings are scratch built. The defenseworks are a mix of ; Last Man Last Bullet and Fire And Sword. The roads and rivers are made from thin card. The bridges are also scratch built. Some of the hedge sections are from Pendraken Miniatures.

The board is 3 feet ( 90cm ) x 2 feet ( 60cm ).

 JAMES “JIM” MITCHELL.

I could not finish my article without mentioning Jim Mitchell. I never met this gentlemen, however, he ran the Seven Years War Association from America. This was a loose association of members worldwide and I came late to the party.

Jim was an avid and enthusiasic researcher of the 18th Century, particularly of the War of the Austrian Succession and the Seven Years War. I was very lucky to gain a fair amount of information by being a member. I have a book, ( Campaigns Of The King) that was translated by Jim from which I gained a lot of knowledge about the above battle.

Sadly, Jim passed away in his 40th year not long after his marriage, a loss not only for his Wife but for the hobby at large. May he Rest In Peace.