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.

Battle of Cuneo ( Madonna Dell' Olmo ) Piedmont 26th - 30th September 1744.

 This article is of my own perspective on the events of this battle. Any mistakes are my own.  

In this ongoing war in Italy, the Spanish and French Governments realised that they needed to take out the Sardinian Kingdom in order to secure northern Italy for the Spanish Crown. The politics in France were convoluted, however the French Crown was at this point in the war, commited to helping Spain.

Acting on the advice of the mountain warfare expert, General *Pierre Bourcet, the French army under the Prince of Conti had split into nine columns and moved east through the valleys of the Alps bypassing Piedmontese strong points, then successfully regrouping to storm the Citadel of Demonte. The Spanish army under General  the  Maquis of La Mina had moved from Genoa to link up at Cuneo.

( * Napoleon also sought the advice of this General prior to his invasion of Italy. )

The Prince of Conti had a plan to take the fortress which was a key part of the defence of Piedmont. This combined Franco-Spanish  army was 50,000 strong. The Prince's plan involved in splitting the army into three parts. The first part was to dig the siege lines. The second part was east of Cuneo to stop any Piedmontese forces interfering with the siege. The third part was to be the field army

Meanwhile Charles Emmanual 3rd, King of Piedmont-Sardinia was not sitting idle. This Monarch and his First Minister, the Marquis D'Ormea were absolute masters of the Machiavellian politics of the 18th century. The King was also very much involved with his army on a par with Frederick of Prussia though not so draconian!!..

While the French and Spanish Generals, themselves no novices in the 18th century art of war, were starting their attack, the King had devised a plan of his own. He did have 3,000 Grenzer light infantry and a Regiment of Hussars sent by the Empress of Austria, however his plan was entirely dependant on his own army in which he had complete confidence. 

I thought at this point it might be worth giving some information on this army, as the Italian theatre is often overshadowed by the events further north and east. The Piedmontese army at this time was an Infantry army much like the Dutch, Danish and the other Italian States. There were only four regiments of Dragoons and two  of Horse. There were no Light Cavalry so , during this war the Piedmontese relied on the Austrian Hussars.

The bulk of the army were the Infantry. There were 32 Regiments, totalling 58 battalions. Of the Regiments, there were 8 National, 10 Provincial, 3 Italian, 3 German, and 7 Swiss.

There were also the Vaudois which were a regular Militia of up to 10 Battalions. Finally there was a peasant militia ( another 10,000 )that  the King could call on if required. The army had a well trained Artillery Corps of 1,500 men to service the Guns and to instruct other staff. In addition there was a very respected Corp of Engineers attached to the Artillery.

( I obtained this information from " The war of the Austrian Succession, A Wargamers Guide Part 8 uniforms of the Italian States" by  Stephen Manley ).

Within Cuneo was a garrison of 3,200 men commanded by General Leutrum who, although into his eighties led a spirited defence!!.

As the siege of Cuneo commenced, the King moved his army from Saluzzo, South toward their opponents. As the two armies moved into position to the West of Cuneo, the Piedmontese placed abattis on broken ground to defend their right flank from being overwhelmed.. Battle commenced when the Austrian Grenz charged toward the village of Madonna Dell'Olmo ----..

THE SPANISH ARMY;

23,000 Infantry ( including artillery )= 23 points x 2 = 46 points.

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

1 General   ( La Mina ) @  1 point.

2 stands of Spanish Guard @ 4 points = 8 points.

2 stands of Irish Infantry @ 3 points = 6 points.

2 stands of Walloon Infantry @ 3 points = 6 points.

5 stands of Spanish Infantry @ 3 points = 15 points.

1 stand of Spanish Light Infantry  @  1 point.

2 stands of Cavalry  @  2 points = 4 points.

3 stands of Light Artillery @ 1 point = 3 points.

THE FRENCH ARMY;

21,000 Infantry ( including artillery ) = 21 points x 2 = 42 points.

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

1 General ( Conti )  @ 1 point.

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

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

2 stands of Heavy Artillery @ 2 points = 4 points.

2 stands of Light Infantry @ 1 point = 2 points.

4 stands of Cavalry @ 2 points = 8 points.

Note; I have no information on the composition of the French and Spanish forces in the battle, so the above list is my best guess.

THE PIEDMONTESE ARMY;

1 General ( King Charles)  @  3 points.

1 General ( Castagnole )     @ 1 point.

1 stand of Cavalry  @ 2 points.

2 stands  of Dragoon Cavalry @ 1point. = 2puts.

1 stand of Austrian Hussars @ 1 point.

1 stand of Guard Infantry @  4 points.

1 stand of Grenadier Infantry @ 4 points.

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

4 stands of Light Artillery @ 1 point = 4 points.

( I've added the Engineers to the Artillery ).

1 stand of Austrian Grenz Light Infantry @ 1 point.

8 stands of Line Infantry  @ 3 points = 24 points.

GARRISON OF CUNEO;

3,200 = 3.2 points x 2 = 6points r/d.

1 General ( Leutrum )  @ 2 points.

2 stands of Garrison Artillery@ 1 point = 2 points.

2 Stands of Infantry @ 1 point  = 2 points

Notes,

* The rivers cannot be crossed by any troops except at the bridges.

*Any stands entering the rough ground cannot move further that turn and suffers a minus 2 on a Die roll if engaged in close combat.

* For the purposes of fire and close combat the abbatis counts as a trench for the Piedmontese to defend, as do the gabions for the Spanish.

* The Piedmontese move and fire first every Game-Turn. The Piedmontese retain the initiative Point for the entire game.

* The Piedmontese win any tied results.

* The garrison of Cuneo cannot sally out during the battle although the garrison can fire at any enemy targets.

The Winner:

This is tricky! because the Piedmontese lost so that their militia had time to play havoc with the enemy supply lines. Therefore. The Piedmontese must attempt to stay on the field for 8 Game-Turns. If they do, they win

If the Piedmontese retreat before 8 Game-Turns are complete, they have lost.

Historical Note.

As stated above, this was the the Kings plan. To keep the Spanish and French focused on his army while the Piedmontese Militia wrecked havoc on the enemy supply lines and magazines. This was exactly what happened.

Spanish and French jubilation gradually turned  to depression in the days following the battle. La Mina and Conti realised that without supplies their position was untenable. As the autumnal rains set in the army retreated back to France.

Credits;

The figures are mostly Miniature Figurines with some Peter Pig and Essex Miniatures.

The abattis is from Irregular Miniatures.

The gabions are made by Last Man Last Bullet Miniatures.

The tent models are from Peter Pig.

The citadel and house are scratch built.

The trees are from various manufacturers.

Most of the hill sections are made from cork tiles. There are some made by Brian at Essex Miniatures.

The river and road are made from thin card.

The battle was fought on  the  3 foot by 2 foot table. ( 90cm x 60 cm ).

FOOTNOTE:

I managed to fight this battle solo. After 8 Game-Turns the Piedmontese won the battle.

However, it was a near run thing!. This was the situation at the end of Game-Turn eight.

These Modenese were glad to sit out this battle.