The Battle of Teugen-Hausen - Blucher AAR

A catch up AAR here, we played this game using Sam Mustafa's Blucher rules 5 weeks ago! Once again we used a scenario was sourced from the oldmeldrumwargamsgroup;

Blucher Scenarios Battle of Teugen Hausen

Historically in 1809 in wooded terrain the outnumbered French III Corps led by Marshall Davout were successful albeit at quite a cost in defeating the Austrian III and IV Corps.

A battle map showing the town locations and army moves (blue French and white Austrian) to help when reading the AAR...

The AAR

Dave and George commanded the Austrians and Maurice and I girded up our lions and took over the leadership of the French. Victory would go to the side that occupied Teugen and Hausen at the end of the game or broke the opposition's army (both had an Army Morale of 7 requiring the destruction of that many units to achieve victory).

The main French force advanced historically quickly occupying Teugen and heading toward Hausen, light cavalry covering the important road between Dinzling and Paring. The Austrians meanwhile un-historically deployed defensively along a waterway to the north of Hausen which they garrisoned while their reinforcements approached from Paring.

The French pressed forward slowly through the woodlands toward Hausen their cavalry successfully feinting toward Paring drawing the best of the Austrian reinforcements away from the main engagement, the Austrian Grenadier Division.

Even though outnumbered and raked by the Austrian artillery the French took advantage of the delay of Austrian reserves and charged the waterway defensive line in an attempt to score a coup and take Hausen. The fighting around Hausen was fierce and the French eventually broke the Austrian line but in doing so they had taken such losses they were unable to take the town itself.

The French had shot their bolt and were now in a precarious position as the Austrian reserves were finally approaching the French III Corps left flank when the heavens opened up! A thunderous storm arrived on the battlefield and both sides broke off the engagement!

So a draw, no one controlled both the towns required to win and neither side had lost the 7 units that would see them break! in fact both sides lost 3 units destroyed and 1 withdrawn but the French were in decidedly the worse condition with several other units teetering on breaking whilst the Austrian still had some fresh infantry they could commit. Yet another good game thanks the the oldmeldrumwargamsgroup!

Some pictures...I didn't get many this time round too busy playing!

At the start of the battle the forces face off on the Paring Dinzling road, the Austrians  IV Corps are on the left and Mountburn's light cavalry are deploying near the bridge on the right...

The Teugen (bottom right of picture) and Hausen (centre top of picture behind the bridge) area of the battle. In the foreground the 7th Legere Regiment leading the French II Corps forward. For those familiar with Blucher rules Davout being a vigorous leader allowed these 16 units to activate for just 8 'MOs'!

The Austrians view of the massed French regiments! Un-historically but very wisely the Austrian Commanders decided to let the outnumbered French try to capture Hausen!

The French attack III Corps the Austrian defences at Hausen!

The Dice Shako in use! A popular and useful Blucher accessory...

The French break the Austrian line around Hausen, below show the confusion as the French cross the stream only to see the Austrians too cross the stream trying to flank the attackers!

Marshall Davout is represented in this picture by the base with two mounted figures located by the bridge. Despite all this the Austrians have a firm hold on Hausen!

The next turn Marshall Davout joined his men across the stream!

With the battle coming to a close the Austrian reserve arrive in force through the woods threatening the French flank!

Overall views of the table at the end of game...

Thanks for looking!

Pity there is no official Blucher Discussion Forum to link this too...