Situation at Hausen. 9.00am.
Rosenberg's situation is turning into a nightmare and in a relatively short space of time. Montbrun's cavalry are continuing to mop up the survivors of Somariva's Division. There is only one gun left in the last battery and the Austrian hussars can only turn and flee. Rosenberg has lost all but one battery of his Corps and about 1300 men in under 45 minutes. His retreat route is cut off and he has to move back slowly and compact his line, so as not to be meleed. Where did it all go wrong ? Lack of cavalry was a problem , but that was mitigated by his deployment before a forest, so negating a cavalry attack around the flanks and rear. He definitely had enough battalions available and 2 more batteries than the French. I think it was the wholescale assault against the entire Austrian line and of course, having Davout in command, which makes a difference. Things are definitely going in a historical fashion, except davout is facing rosenberg and not Hohenzollern.
The bad news is that Kienmayer's Corps is a whole 3 hours away from effective support. He moved off from the Pfeffenhausen area, just after dawn in a slow fashion , as ordered by Archduke Charles. I, certainly did not figure that Rosenberg's position would be collapsing , at least before 12 o'clock, in which case , Kienmayer 's 2nd Reserve Corps would be in position to help, especially with his 4 cavalry regiments.
This is probably a perfect example of why a degree of cavalry support is needed and why they are mostly positioned on the flanks.
Riese's infantry regiment in the far right of the forest has just routed, just adding to the desparate situation. At turn's end; FM Somariva has been killed and the supply wagons will not attempt any movement closer to the forest with French cavalry, positioned there. Oooops :upset:!
VIVE DAVOUT ! VIVE L'EMPEREUR !
Rosenberg's Retreat ?
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This is the , "What If ", defensive position that Rosenberg should have moved to, during the night- I did consider it, but decided not to ,because I had 2-3 french divisions before me at Hausen. In essence, I knew where they were and was able to pin them there, and , of course, threaten a move north, against Ratisbon. If I had moved behind the forest, I would not be in contact with the enemy ,and unaware of their positioning . Also, Davout could have slipped away to the west during the night, and hit Hohenzollern 's Corps in the flank or rear at Abensberg.
If , you are playing a human opponent, in this Campaign, as the French, it is always good to have them visible and in a known place, rather than chasing blindly all over the map. both sides accepted battle- the french have won. C'est la Guerrre !
I agree about continuing a charge being problematic - it is more noticeably costly at battalion level than at company, but like in real life, the horsemen get carried away.......the 1 to 7 loss was finishing off the battalion. A 715 man loss must be at the top end of the parameter spectrum. I certainly, playing nominally as the Austrians, was not happy. I generally only continue charges , if the opponent is on a lower level or disordered.
Surprisingly, what is left of Somariva's small division are putting up a better defence against the French cavalry , than at the start of the charging. They know that they are fighting for their lives- no doubt.
Practice makes perfect................sometimes :crosseye:
