Battle of Voltri Day 2 11 April 1796
At first light on 11 April Massena confronted the Austrian forces led by Pittoni and Vukkasovich immediately west of Voltri on the Savona road.
Cervoni's brigade has tranferred to Massena's command who positions it on the French right with the light infantry in the vineyards. Dommartin's legere are thrown out in a skirmishing cloud in front of Joubert's brigade who has drawn up his six battalions in attack column.
The Austrians, although they are outnumbered are committed to advance. To remain immobile will mean they will suffer from the attention of Massena's sole battery of horse artillery and any retirement could swiftly deteriorate into a rout given the river at their back and proximity of the French.
Neither army has any cavalry and the only artillery present is a French horse artillery battery attached to Dommartin's legere brigade.
Massena finished his breakfast wine, smacked his lips and ordered the bands to strike up the pas de charge...
For their part the Austrians begin to move forward. Pittoni has deployed in depth on the right with the aim of debouching his three rearmost battalions into line once they have room to manoeuvre as the coastal plain broadens out. Vukassovich's brigade is on the left and already in attack formation. It's task is to break the French right and roll up their line. Although they are outnumbered the Austrians are confident their professionals will brush aside the ragged French.
The Austrian advance proves to be something of a shambles. Vukkasovich's brigade fails to keep time with Pittoni who is consequently left exposed as his battalions move forward. The French quickly shift their horse artillery to enfilade Pittoni's advancing troops. The French centre and left moves forward in classic fashion, Dommartin's skirmishers screening Joubert's attack columns.
Massena smiles...
Another view of Massena's attack - this time from the north. Pitonni has attempted to scream his fusiliers with a battalion of Grenzers in skirmish order...
The French skirmishers disperse and their attack columns press forward...
An Austrian battalion buckles as two French attack columns close...
The Austrians retire, still in relatively good order. Massena has no cavalry so a pursuit is out of the question as his men have taken some losses to Austrian musketry. An resounding victory however! Pittoni has lost over half of his eight battalions - some 2500 killed, wounded and captured and is reduced to three understrength battalions. Vukkasovich retires with his brigade largely intact. French losses are relatively light. Cervoni's light infantry have taken more losses and his legere demi-brigade is reduced to battalion strength. One of Dommartins legere battalions is so reduced the survivors are distributed amongst the others in their demi-brigade.
Strategically the French right flank is secure. Bonaparte receives the news at dusk that evening...
Cervoni's brigade has tranferred to Massena's command who positions it on the French right with the light infantry in the vineyards. Dommartin's legere are thrown out in a skirmishing cloud in front of Joubert's brigade who has drawn up his six battalions in attack column.
The Austrians, although they are outnumbered are committed to advance. To remain immobile will mean they will suffer from the attention of Massena's sole battery of horse artillery and any retirement could swiftly deteriorate into a rout given the river at their back and proximity of the French.
Neither army has any cavalry and the only artillery present is a French horse artillery battery attached to Dommartin's legere brigade.
Massena finished his breakfast wine, smacked his lips and ordered the bands to strike up the pas de charge...
For their part the Austrians begin to move forward. Pittoni has deployed in depth on the right with the aim of debouching his three rearmost battalions into line once they have room to manoeuvre as the coastal plain broadens out. Vukassovich's brigade is on the left and already in attack formation. It's task is to break the French right and roll up their line. Although they are outnumbered the Austrians are confident their professionals will brush aside the ragged French.
The Austrian advance proves to be something of a shambles. Vukkasovich's brigade fails to keep time with Pittoni who is consequently left exposed as his battalions move forward. The French quickly shift their horse artillery to enfilade Pittoni's advancing troops. The French centre and left moves forward in classic fashion, Dommartin's skirmishers screening Joubert's attack columns.
Massena smiles...
Another view of Massena's attack - this time from the north. Pitonni has attempted to scream his fusiliers with a battalion of Grenzers in skirmish order...
The French skirmishers disperse and their attack columns press forward...
An Austrian battalion buckles as two French attack columns close...
Enfiladed on their northern flank, and under immense pressure in the centre, the Austrian left under Vukassovich finally engages the French right. Cervoi's brigade, inspired by the success of their comrades against the Austrian's under Pittoni drive forward. The Austrian line wavers and then collapses..
The Austrians retire, still in relatively good order. Massena has no cavalry so a pursuit is out of the question as his men have taken some losses to Austrian musketry. An resounding victory however! Pittoni has lost over half of his eight battalions - some 2500 killed, wounded and captured and is reduced to three understrength battalions. Vukkasovich retires with his brigade largely intact. French losses are relatively light. Cervoni's light infantry have taken more losses and his legere demi-brigade is reduced to battalion strength. One of Dommartins legere battalions is so reduced the survivors are distributed amongst the others in their demi-brigade.
Strategically the French right flank is secure. Bonaparte receives the news at dusk that evening...
Excellent report and looks like a fun game! I'd like to request more close-ups next time!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'll do my best!
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