The Battle of Hausen-Teugn 1809

Yesterday I took a trip to Chris Gregg's place to take part in Day Two of the Hausen-Teugn scenario he was putting on for us. I was on the French side, with Paul my co-player as C-in-C. Having recently read about the action in Gill's superb book I was sort of au fait with the issues surrounding the terrain, the confused French OOB etc. Fortunately Paul had walked part of the battlefield and as C-in-C, drafted the following plan, with which I wholeheartedly concured.

Our plan drawn over Chris' excellent map. In short we were to push forward over the Hausenberg hill and through the woods, so that we could see where and in what strength the Austrian were. We deployed all of our cavalry on the left flank as this was the most open terrain and the best chance for them to see action. After that it was keep the Austrians as far away from rows A-B, to give our baggage train (off table) the chance to escape.

After a chat over breakfast, Chris gave Paul and I an overview of the action from Day One and where we were at the start of Day Two. In short the Austrians had moved much faster than we expected (lots of good command rolls and Initiative Move wins too) so they seemed to be very much on the front foot. Chris had done an excellent job in interpreting our orders and commanding the French, which were spread across the table and with a lot of units to owrry about!

So having been briefed, Paul and I had a quick conflab to decide upon how best to proceed, with myself taking the Right Flank under Davout and Paul the Left Flank. The Centre was pretty devoid of troops, so in effect we had two battles going on at the same time, which helped speed things up. Guy and Dillon took on the Austrian command, with myself facing Dillon and Paul facing Guy.

As the action was full on from the start, there was no time for note taking and little for photos too, but I snatched images as and when time allowed. I will annotate them if I think it might add something in terms of the action during the game, but otherwise just enjoy Chris and Paul's superb 15mm figures and as always Chris' lovely terrain. So without further ado:

An overview of the table, with the French along the right. Teugn is at the top right hand of the photo.

French Cavalry on the left flank, facing a pretty strong Austrian force.

The Austrians pushing forward in the woods, with only Light Infantry and Cavalry facing them.

The French forming up outside of Teugn to try and drive the Austrians out of the woods on the Hausenberg.

The Austrians are firmly esconced on the Hausenberg, with the French having failed to drive them off on Day One. Again they are preparing to try and regain control of these heights, which really dominate the surounding area.

French Artillery in support of the Infantry.

The French advance begins to form up but is slower than I would have liked.

Austrian reinforcements are arriving, out of view of the French, with Grenadiers led by Archduke Charles at the top left. A formidable force with many large units.

Davout has managed to recall some Infantry whose arrival comes not a moment too late on the French Right Flank.

French Infantry move into the woods to push back the Austrian Light Infantry. Another Austrian force is moving up through the woods (the blinds) but the French are not aware of them yet.

Austrian Light infantry face off against the French, who are struggling to gain the Hausenberg.

Austrians are moving up on the French Left, but the terrain is hampering both sides ability to co-ordinate their attacks.

Dillon ponders how best to utilise the Austrian Grenadiers...

... who move along the stream as attacks go in on the Hausenberg.

The French continue to try and clear the woods on their Right Flank as the reinforcements move forward from their line of march.

Splendid Austrian troops!

A decisive Cavalry battle is taking place. The French win and drive off the Austrians who lose units.

Wonderful Austrian artillery. I love the limbers with the right hand one by the house having fascines or forage added to it. A lovely touch!

The French man their guns as the Austrian Infantry close on them. A whiff of grapeshot is certainly required!

French Infantry reforming in Saalhaupt.

The heavily wooded Hausenberg meant the the main attacks went in either side of the woods here. Both sides Light Infantry spend all of Day Two in a Mexican stand off!

The French attacks have been repulsed with heavy losses, but just managing to avodi having units rout. A close run thing.

The French still trying to force the Austrians back from the woods. Despite having a tough time in doing so, it is delaying the abiltity of othe Austrian troops to move forward there.

The Austrians firmly in control of the ridge, with more troops mving up to reinforce their position.

The French are happy to reform in the comparative safety of Teugn.

The French now in control of Saalhaupt.

Things have begun to die down on the French Left Flank as both sides need time to reform their units, but the French are in a strong position.

A final shot of more wonderfully painted figures.

End of the Game

With late afternoon having arrived, the game reached a natural conclusion, with the both sides needing time to gather their units for the next phase of attacks. Around Teugn another two turns at least would be required before the Austrians could attack, by which time the French could have organised a very good defensive position in and around the village. Ditto on the French Left Flank.

So with things as they were we called a halt and Chris decreed that the torrential downpour that had halted the real battle had arrived. After totting up the victory points for both sides, the French came out as victors with 30 1/2 points to 14 (or maybe 18?). Either way a surprise for us as the French, given our positions, but we had successfully prevented the Austrians from pushing through our positions, this saving our baggage train and lines of communication.

Post Game Thoughts

A wonderful game with Guy, Dillon and Paul as always, played in the right spirit throughout and lots of good bonhomie and banter and of course not forgetting Chris for hosting us, sorting out the scenario and making another fine game board to play over. I recking we played for about 5 hours, with an hour off for lunch and luckily we had a chance for some post game chat, which was good. So a few thoughts in no particualr order:

• Once again Chris' rules played well and rarely had to ask him for clarifications etc. Things moved along at a far old pace which was nice, allowing us to reach a conclusion at the end of the day.
• On the French side we really did have that feel of a confused meeting engagement, where we were often reacting the Austrian moves and were having to throw in piecemeal attacks to keep the Austrians as off balance for as long as we could. Sitting back and waiting for them to come to us was not an option.
• The terrain really did hamper both sides, but I think the Austrians more so due to the sheer number of troops they had, plus they had quite a few large units, which struggled to find space to deploy. The open ridge of the Hausenberg opposite Teugn was an obvious example as Dillon really had to try and fit a Quart into a Pint pot!
• We all agreed that the game did feel like the action descrived in Gill and it gave ua a better understanding of what happened and why.
• The Austrians, especially on Day One of the game, performed far better than their historical counterparts, moving forward with alacrity, thus limiting the French ability to have time and space to react to their moves. Again we agreed that it showed a sort of 'what if?' in terms of had the Austrian commanders showed more elan and intiative, then this battle and maybe others might have been different. Whether it have changed the course of the campaign is of course a moot point, but it does provide food for thought.
• Chris' and Paul's figures were a joy to behold and I just wish I'd had more time to appreciate them and to take photos too. 
• Once again smaller figures allowed for a lot more room for manouevre, even when taking into account the limits imposed by the terrain. It also looked a big battle, which IMHO 28mm never quite achieves.

Right, I hope you enjoyed my attempt at a sort of AAR and if nothing else, appreciated the figures and the terrain. Time for a bit of a rest as it was a long but thoroughly enjoyable day and then back to painting some 18thC India troops.

TTFN.