NationStates Jolt Archive

The peasants in the village stared as a small detachment of cavlry glaoped trough the village at full speed. An hour later, the noise of drums rolling could be haerd on the main road, and the whole Austrian army marched trough the village. The drumers played the Hohenfiedberger march, and the army standard sailed proudly trough the sky. General Schwarzberg and his stuff were standing on a small hill near the road and watched the army move trough the village. First went the skirmishers, 4 regiments of Grenzers and 2 of the Jaegers. then went 37 regiment of line infantry, followed by a line of bear furr caps, as 7 regiments of the elite Granadiers followed trough. Behind the infantry went all of the 13 batteries of artilery, followed by 2 regiments of Uhlans, 3 regiments of Cuirassiers, 2 regiments of Dragoons, 2 of Hussars and the last, a regiment of the great Chavaulgers. All together some 65.000 men and 5000 cooks, ingineers, sappers, workers and other.

Schwarzberg standed on the field and watched his army with proud, he turned to his first officer, and said with a bored, but confident voice: ''You think they will engage directly in a battle or will we have to sniff them out?'' The officer looked at the army and replyed: ''Nobody would dare to face such force, but if they will, they will only make things easier for us.'' General smiled at the confident officer: ''You are probably right, but enought abouth that, now we move forward, to Venice!''

OOC:

The Lombards will fight but will still call for help from other Italian states. Out of the NPC states, Naples probably won't fight as it has too much to lose but Piedmont is ever ambitious and will probably try and get the Milanese and the French on their side. And as France has stated she won't let Austria interfere we can take that as them coming in on the side of Lombardy and regardless of whether they actually fight, that will provoke the Piedmontese into action. The Piedmontese send a rag-tag army of 11,000 infantry and 2,000 horse, along with around 20 field guns. The Lombard army is led by weak, untrained men but it does hire some 3,000 hardened mercenaries with its rich coffers. These combine to make a Lombard army 14,000 strong, but with only about 4,000 (including the mercenaries) as decent troops. They have to fight for their honour as much as anything but morale is extremely low among the men. Their only hope is Franco-Piedmontese relief.

ooc: I will probably make an contact with the French (read their news thread...i have a desire to kill Jensai for not posting) and i dont realy care abouth Piedmont. Also, Milan didn't reply on my offer...:mad:
And even if French troops will aid them, i will prbably be able to force the Lombards into battle and defeat them before French troops will arive...

ooc: I will probably make an contact with the French (read their news thread...i have a desire to kill Jensai for not posting) and i dont realy care abouth Piedmont. Also, Milan didn't reply on my offer...:mad:
And even if French troops will aid them, i will prbably be able to force the Lombards into battle and defeat them before French troops will arive...


Oh don't worry. I'm pretty sure you will win. As soon as you beat the Lombards the Piedmontese will probably pull back. It all depends on a French reaction, such as a possible counter-invasion.

OOC: Sorry for not posting recently. High School is a bitch and I've been very busy with the WW2 in E20

IC:

The French, upon hearing of the Austrian invasion, immediatly dispatch an army of 30,000 men and 5,000 horse, along with 40 field guns to assist Lombardy, with mrore assistance promised. The Kingdom has begun drafting men and has essentially declared WAR upon Austria. France will not let the Germans do anything so impertinent.

Austrian army marched quickly towards Venice, it was expected to rech it in 4 days. Mershal Scwarzberg was trying to force the Lombards into battle before help would arrive, and if they will not face him, he will take Venice.

The lombard army, under Generalissimo Versazzi, begin to stockpile food in Venice, this precaution was taken even as Austria threatened and now it is stepped up. Versazzi is a worried, frail man and doesn't want to lose his army in one big battle. He retreats to the shores of Venice and begins to send his men across to the city by boat. He also takes the precaution of burning any boats left on the shore or taking them to Venice. He leaves the coastline bare of serviceable craft and orders provisions to travel by sea to Venice.

It seems like the Austrians will have to find another way across the water.

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The Piedmontese army halts its march and joins up with the French troops. Naples is teetering on the brink of joining in, but now that the French are here it is possibly on the side of Austria. Naples may see that it has much to gain by supporting the annexation of Lombardy, however, for now it keeps still and readies its armed forces. Numbering some 25,000 infantry and 4,000 cavalry, along with 28 field guns.

ooc: did Jensai even see my letter before declaration of war?
And just one question, did they alos destroyed the bridge?

Map:
http://europeforvisitors.com/europe/images/venezia_italy_baedekers_northern_italy_handbook_for_travellers_14th_ed_1913.jpg

ic:
Austrian troops are now one day march of Venice, while their reinforcments will arive in 7 days. The army are gathering food from the fields and taking Lombard peasants with them to force them to work on embarkments. They send a messanger to Venice with a message:

If you surender your town without fight, we promise nobody will be harmed, and your army will be able to leave with all weapons, cannons and standards. the city itself will not be harmed and so will it be for population and soroundings!

Signed:
Marshal Schwarzberg

A mesanger has also been sent to the forces of Neaples:

We have information that you plan on invading Lombardy. We would like to make a contract with you, you would get all land west of Venice, while we would get all land east of venice, including the city. The only thing we request if you accept the contract is that you supply us with heavy siege guns, food and amunition, for wich you will be payeed, and the cannons will be returned to you after the war.

Signed:
Mashal Schwarzberg

ooc: did Jensai even see my letter before declaration of war?
And just one question, did they alos destroyed the bridge?

Map:
http://europeforvisitors.com/europe/images/venezia_italy_baedekers_northern_italy_handbook_for_travellers_14th_ed_1913.jpg

ic:
Austrian troops are now one day march of Venice, while their reinforcments will arive in 7 days. The army are gathering food from the fields and taking Lombard peasants with them to force them to work on embarkments. They send a messanger to Venice with a message:

If you surender your town without fight, we promise nobody will be harmed, and your army will be able to leave with all weapons, cannons and standards. the city itself will not be harmed and so will it be for population and soroundings!

Signed:
Marshal Schwarzberg

A mesanger has also been sent to the forces of Neaples:

We have information that you plan on invading Lombardy. We would like to make a contract with you, you would get all land west of Venice, while we would get all land east of venice, including the city. The only thing we request if you accept the contract is that you supply us with heavy siege guns, food and amunition, for wich you will be payeed, and the cannons will be returned to you after the war.

Signed:
Mashal Schwarzberg



Neopolitan Response:

Everyone knows the only thing of value in Lombardy is Venice. Give us Venice and you can take the rest. Otherwise, we will accept your other agreement if you help us against our enemies the Piedmontese. For a long time they have mocked Neopolitan power and with Austrian help we can take Piedmont. If either of these conditions are not acceptable, Naples will remain neutral and consider our options.

ooc: yes consider the bridge broken up.

Response:

We are sorry, but we can't leave you with venice, becouse that was our point, to take Venice... As for piedmont, that would be possible, but after the war with Lombardy ends and if our Empress will allow it...
We are willing to pay for your suplys and ask you for even a greater favour, to strenghten our ties... We would like you to support our attack on Venice with your ships from see, or lend us your ships and sailors for a fee that you will decide, we would be most greatfull for that.

Signed:
Feldmarshal Schwarzberg

ooc: Who will play the Lombards in the siege? If anyone will... And what was the lombards response on our terms of surender?

As a strictly non-political venture, Naples will agree to loaning (for a price) a number of warships to your cause. However, you may well find that flat-bottomed barges are what you need. They carry a lot of troops and, although vulnerable to counter fire, they can be extremely effective in delivering a large amount of infantry to a weak point.

However, we must abstain from committing armed forces, unless the government of Austria can guarantee us aid in the capture of Piedmont for ourselves once Lombardy is secure in your hands?

Yours Faithfully,

King Ferdinand III

ooc: the Lombards will not surrender while they hold Venice. They can be supplied and even reinforced by sea, of which they have total control. While the seas are under Lombard control there is no way they will surrender.

A message to the troops of Neaples:

We thank you for your help, and we will send you money after the siege is over. We would like to borow as much armed ships and transport ships as possible in a smallest amount of time. How many can you apply?

We have sent a messanger to Vienna, and he will return with a permision of our Empress to go to war with Piedmont in 2 to 3 days.

Feldmarshal Schwarzberg

Meanwhile, Austrian troops gathered almost 5000 peasants and sent them to the main camp. They also took their shovels and picks, and sent them to work, knowing that the defenders would probably not fire at their people.

The peasants first start to repair the bridge and then they start making new bridges of dirt and wood.

A message to the troops of Neaples:

We thank you for your help, and we will send you money after the siege is over. We would like to borow as much armed ships and transport ships as possible in a smallest amount of time. How many can you apply?

We have sent a messanger to Vienna, and he will return with a permision of our Empress to go to war with Piedmont in 2 to 3 days.

Feldmarshal Schwarzberg



For your purpose we can send around 40 flat-bottomed barges, accompanied by 7 frigates and a 60 gun ship of the line, the Roma. However, our navy alone cannot defeat the Lombards without being crippled in the effort. The best thing to do would be for us to pick up your troops around make a dash for Venice, men will be lost, and my ships have orders to disengage before they are sunk, but you may gain a foothold. Your best plan is still to continue with the bridge building. Whatever you do, a large amount of men will be lost, but we shall help as we can.

Meanwhile, Austrian troops gathered almost 5000 peasants and sent them to the main camp. They also took their shovels and picks, and sent them to work, knowing that the defenders would probably not fire at their people.

The peasants first start to repair the bridge and then they start making new bridges of dirt and wood.



Sadly, the Lombards do open fire, killing about a dozen peasants with the first volley and the sudden appearance of a 10 gun sloop with gunports open persuades the peasants to switch their allegiance again. In their rage, the Austrian commanders order the peasants fired upon as well. By the end of the incident, 200 peasants are killed and double that wounded. Venetian naval superiority will thwart bridge building attempts until that navy is blasted out of the water, either by shore batteries or a naval presence favourable to Austria.

The Austrians build embarkments and put 70 cannons on them, to open fire at any ships that get to close. The peasants are sent out again...

A letter to Nepolitanian forces:

We accaept your offer. We will support the attack with cannonades and men in boats, while you will pick up our troops and disembark them on the other side, with the support of your frigates.

We are gratefull for your help!

Feldmarshal Schwarzberg

The French troops increase their speed in an effort to reach Venice before the Austrians can assault nad take the city. A further 5,000 men and 15 field guns have been dispatched as reinforcements from France.

In addition the French Navy has dispatched two Ships of the Line, the 60 gun Revenant adn the 72 gun Royal, along with several sloops and three frigates to assist the Ventians.

The King has recently recieved a message from Sweden regarding all of this and has much to think on...Until another decision is made, however, the troops will march onwards.

Next morning, the camp bursts in chears, rolling drums, sounding trumpets and horns. Feldmarshal friderik has finaly arived with his 40.000 reenforcments. He also brought 18 heavy long-ranged siege guns wich imidietly start to bombard the city. Together with Friderks army also came the messanger from Vienna, and he is imidietly dispatche to Neaples.

Letter to Neapolitanian army:

Our Empress agreed that we help you in war against Piedmont as soon as this siege is over. The army in lombardy counts 100.000 men, of wich 25.000 will be left here in varius cities, and the rest will march to piedmont.
Now we would like to remind you on your side of contract, and beg you that you dispatch your ships imidietly, as we have news that the Fench are marching to relive venice!
Again, we thank ou for your help.

Signed:
Feldmarshal Schwarzberg

ooc: i think it would take more than 7 days for the French to arive, and even as they does, our army outnumbers them 3:1 . When will the ships arive?

ooc: the ships will be there in a week from Naples and the French should arrive realistically in about 10 ten days from now. Venice will hold until the French arrive but should the French be defeated or turn back then Venice will surrender.

The 18 siege guns are constantly bombarding the city, and the peasents continue ther work on the bridges, boats and rafts under the cover of guns.

Sappers and enginers build a huge dirt wall around the camp and the cavalry is sent out to colect even more food. 10.000 infantry are sent to garison the city of Marghera.

A letter is sent to the French troops demanding that they turn back and leave Italy.

The siege guns keep the Venetian vessels from patrolling the waterway and threatening the bridge building and also deter the Venetians from sallying out to destroy the bridge. The bridge inches ever closer to the island but it soon begins to come under cannon fire from field guns within the city. The Venetians have no siege cannon to answer the massive Austrian pieces but they can still shower the peasants with roundshot and shell as they extend the bridge. Dozens are killed and once more the bridge building grinds to a halt.

The French reply that they have no intention of leaving Italy.

The French Army put's itself along the Austrian supply road and awaits reinforcements. The French have decided tthat they will no longer tolerate Austrian interference and have dispatched another 50,000 men, 5,500 cavalry, and 70 field pieces to reinforce the army.

Meanwhile, a smaller army of 10,000 men and 1,500 cavalry are marching towards Austria itself with the intent of burning and looting the Austrian farmland.

ooc: As I said, your army will areive to Venice in some 8-9 days, and my army needs no suplies, they had many food with them, and got even more from the countryside.
You will not be able to raid my country without a battle, as 250.000 troops are in camps all along the south and west border.
And next time you post, please also answer my offer in your thread...

Ic:

The peasants will wait until Neapolitanian navy arive, but the bombardment will continue and the cannons will still fire at any ships...

Also, a letter is sent to graz, requesting evem more men to face the French, specialy cavalry...

ooc: I think we should skip this seven days as i have no idea on what to post...so if you agree, the ships arive and the French are 3 days away?

Yea, no objections. However I would like to point out that the French have the advantage of being more mobile. If they can cut off the main Austrian army then they could starve them until they force battle or withdraw from Venice. It takes a phenomenal amount of food to supply an army (and all the peasants) that you have deployed and an army that size is also unwieldy. This campaign could well be one of manouvre and it will be an interesting one no doubt. Also, the French have with them 11,000 Piedmontese infantry (medium quality compared to the Austrians), 3,000 cavalry (medium quality compared with the Austrians), 23 field guns (on par with the Austrian cannon). So the French can add these reinforcements to their army.

It takes a phenomenal amount of food to supply an army (and all the peasants)

I never said anything about giving food to the peasants :rolleyes: :p

However, we do have food for some 3-4 days I gues, and even with the Piedmontes, tha french sent their armies in pieces and we still have an advantage, and if they will block my suplies, i will be glad to take the battle.

Also, check my thread i posted something there regarding this...

IC: (i will post plan for attack, you tell me results, and a remark: all austrian regiments have 1200 men each, so i'll post the numbers of regiments, not men)

The next day, the sige guns will keep fireing with double speed, and the peasants are sent to the bridges one last time, this time they are guarded by 70 guns from land and 3 Neapolitanian frigates.

At nightfall, 3 granadier regiments are secretly embarked on the 40 barges, wich set sail around Venice by cover of darknes and protected by other 4 Neapolitanian frigates and the ship of the line Roma.
The bridges are built up to the few last 10 meters...

At around midnight, one regiment of muskteers start moving trough the bridges, as silently as they can. 3 bridges had been built, and there is 300 men on each, infront of the soliders go 60-70 peasants, carying huge wooden plates, to fill in the last few 10 meters. 300 men cross the main bridge, as the destroyed part is quickly repaird with ladders and plates. 1 more regiment of musketeers is loaded on smaller boats and rafts and paddle their way towards the city...

Half an hour later, the cannons on the shore silence, and horns are sounded...the Sign to attack! On the bridges and rafts, the musketeers lunch forward and attack the city... half hour later, when confusion is total, 2 more regiment are sent trough the bridges.
Simultaniusly, the barges sail forward under the cover of the darknes, when they are close enough for the enemy to see them, Roma and the 4 frigates open fire to cover them.

The granadiers disembark and the barges are imidietly sent back for more troops. The ganadiers ocupy the first few buildings and streets and await reenforcments. They need to hold a little more than an hour and then 3 more regiments of jagers will arive..


ooc: This is it for now, tell the results and then i'll post my next actions.

The Lombard fleet is hopelessly unprepared for a night attack and is still sitting in harbour when the first barges appear sillhouetted against the sea by the moonlight. The barges ground against the docks and the elite grenadiers brush aside the few defenders the Lombards left there. They had been confident in the ability of the fleet to defend them but the fleet had seldom been out for fear of the siege guns.

3 of the Austrian siege guns that have been firing double speed explode during the firing as the barrels are heated up and cooled down to quickly and too much. In each case the entire crew is lost as they are cut down by flying parts of ammunition and the barrels. The Venetians have been most worried about an attack across the bridge and they have posted 2,000 of the hired mercenaries there. As the bridge is comparitevely narrow, the mercenaries and the gunners dominate the bridge and barricades are manned as soon as the peasants are seen. The peasants manage to lay down the bridge but the attacking Austrians make no progress. Volley after volley tears into the attackers who begin to lie down and cower. They are attacking head on in to a well defended position and they are enfiladed by canister and musketry. The harbour attack has the best chance of succeeding as the grenadiers push further into the city. The first infantry are deployed against them but they are no match for the grenadiers whose elite training simply allows them to chew through the inferior infantry. Nevertheless, losses are sustained and the grenadiers halt their advance. The arrival of the Jagers could tip the balance, as for now, the Venetians are panicked by the sudden appearance of trained troops and attempt to rush men to face them.

The French, meanwhile are doing their utmost to cut the Austrian's supply lines. They are using their superior mobility to destroy the Austrian's supplies or take them for their own use. A detachment of cavalry is sent to make a feint on the Austrian's main camp and show them that the French are indeed here and are assisting.

OOC: When do my ships arrive?

ooc: Now, would you please atleast say NO or YES to my offer next time you post...

ic:

-First phase:

A horn blow sounds the retreat from the bridges and all the musketeers rush back to the shore. But half a regiment of marksmen (Grenzers) is sent to keep the defenders busy, so they don't all attack the Granadiers.

The Jagers disembark and catch up with the Granadiers. They brought orders to hold and stop advancing. The jagers ocupy the buildings and the granadiers block the streats as they await for even more troops. The barges sail back for one final time, tro bring 3 more ragiments of musketeers.

-Second phase (2-3 hours later):

When they bring them, there is a total of 10.000 Austrian troops in Venice. The comanders agreed that is enough. 8 regiments push forward, while 1 regiment of Jagers stay in port in case more reenforcments will need to disembark.

As most of the Lombard troops are sent to face the granadiers, Schwarzberg sents the second half of the grenzer regiment wich will try to push against then weakened defences. At the same time, some 500 men are loaded on small fishing boats and rafts and raw to the city, cose to the bridges to keep in cover. As they diembark, they fire a volley and charge with bayonets...



In the Austrian camp, they await the suplies wich will arive in 1 day, protected by 45.000 infantry and 26.000 cavalry (check my thread, i posted it even before jensai said he blocks my suplies, so he will not say i am making it up).

A letter is also sent te the Neapolitanian admiral:

We are woried that the French might sent ships towards us, so we would have a request. We are prepared to double our payment to you and we will let you with all the Piedmontes land we take, for a little fawour. You will sent even more ships and block the French fleet. If you don't want war with France, we will give you Austrian flags to sail under...

What do you say?

Signed:
Feldmarshal Schwarzberg

Neopolitan Government:


Dear Sirs,

You are dissilusioned about our loyalties. We will not fight a major power, no matter how much gold is given to us. We have no desire for conflict with a large European nation and we will break off from contact if engaged by French ships.


Good Day.

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Any ships deployed outside the Venetian theatre of war are told to fire a 12 gun salute at passing French ships and allow them full right of passage.


ooc: Jensai, which port did you send your ships from?





In Venice itself, the Lombards surrender. They know they could soon be liberated by the French but for the moment their soldiers are told to lay down their weapons and go into hiding in the city. The city's leaders, including the Doge himself, go on their knees to the Austrian commander to be for the lives of the city's inhabitants. Assailed on two sides they are forced to surrender.

The fleet is ordered to sail away, taking many important citizens and soldiers away with them, either to exile in France, or to join up with the French fleet. They break through the frigate cordon set up by the Neapolitans and head south to rendevouz with the French.

Austrians leave 10.000 troops in the city Marghera. 15.000 are left to garison Venice itself together with all 27 siege guns (15+12 in re-enforcments) and 20 other guns.

The rest of the army, 85.000 infantry and 25.000 cavalry with 80 guns go to confront the French and Piedmontese army.

A letter is sent to the French admiral requesting to turn back.

The Neopolitan ships, their job completed, returns back to Naples to be reassigned. On no condition will they make ANY hostile action towards French naval movements. Nor will the Neopolitan army cross over her present borders in the immediate future.

OOC: The French ships saild from Marsialle about a week and a half ago.

IC: The French send a polite note rejecting the Austrian offer.

The Fench Army continues to block incoming supplies when it can and using it's superior mobility to avoid the oncoming Austrian juggernaught. In the meantime, they French reinoforcements continue their march.

OOC: The French ships saild from Marsialle about a week and a half ago.

IC: The French send a polite note rejecting the Austrian offer.

The Fench Army continues to block incoming supplies when it can and using it's superior mobility to avoid the oncoming Austrian juggernaught. In the meantime, they French reinoforcements continue their march.



Well the French fleet should be just approaching Venice now.



There is little fighting among the Franco-Piedmontese troops and the Austrians as the French wish to avoid a decisive engagement, nevertheless, they will have complete naval superiority in a day and reinforcements shuld arrive in around a week. Survivors from some scattered members of the Lombard army who did not flee to Venice join up with the French, as do a growing number of patriots from all over Italy to drive the invaders out. The Pope remains neutral during the dispute, not wanting to lose his head, but he does meekly suggest that all foreign powers leave Italy at once.


For the time being, the Austrians have the initiative as the French are just finding their feet in the region, however, French mobility has had a devastating effect on morale as the survivors of several battered Austrian cavalry patrols will testify. Nevertheless, overall tactical initiative lies with the Austrians as of now.

The French fleet weighs anchor off of Venice and demands that the Autrians surrender the city or face blockade and possible bombardment of the coastal defense forts. hile they are still mulling over that, French sailors and marines launch a night raid in longboats to torch or board any Austrian ships in the harbor.

((OOC: I'm figuring on about 30-50 marines per ship, so I have about 200-250 marines, plus another 150 sailors embarking in longboat. The marines hav muskets, bayonets, and cutlasses while the sailors hav mostly cutlases, pistols, boarding pikes, axes, and some fire-making materials.))

ooc: there is no ships in the harbour, Lombards esacped with all of them...
Also, the land camp isn't there anymore, all troops there left.
And i think that the French would be exausted from the quick long march from France and then the chase.


The Austrians in Venice Start to build baricade and embarkments on the streets and put cannons on them. They destroy all the bridges again and prepare the defences.

The main armie marches forward and positions itself betwen the French and the incoming reenfocemts. The chase continues...

Anothe message is sent to Austria to sent even more troops.

With word arriving that the Austrians have now intersperesed themselves between the French Army and their reinforcements the smaller French army attempts to slip around the Austrian flank and reach their reinforcements. If that movement is blocked, plans are made for a two-pronged attack on the Austrian army.


Meanwhile, in Venice the French navy begins bombarding the Austrian defenses, attempting to blow breaches in the walls and keep the defenders heads down.

The defenders return fire from all 27 havy siege guns (each is more atleast a 24 pounder), concentating the fire on both ships of the line, while the 20 smaller guns fight off the rest of the smaller ships.

Meanwhile, the army on land still tries to force the French into a battle, but are carful not to get cought betwen the two armies.

The French are forced to disengage from bombarding the city but they do manage to completely cut it off and without food coming into the city, the men inside will starve. The French army has some outstanding successes in cavalry actions as they simply outrun pursuit. This forces the Austrians into a more defensive stance and demoralises their cavalry arm. However, on one occasion a French battalion makes a foray against a town and finds it to be heavily defended. This show of strength makes the French back off and reconsider as the Austrians are clearly a determined foe and hold all the advantages at the moment.

The main Austrian army maintain the cahse, but it keeps together and all cavalry patrols are atleast 500 men, and they also have orders to not engage the enemy.

Meanwhile, the men in Marghera are secretly smugling food to Venice at night by small fishing boats, wich are painted black so are extemly hard to spot. But as the orders are to fire at any boats that come to close, a secret code is made up to prevente incidents. Alos, a strong guard is always present to make sure its our ladz...

ooc: So, can we skip to the arival of mine (20.000) and French (55.000 if i am corect) reenforcemts and to the main battle?

The French join up with their reinforcements and prepare for a amrach on Venice itself, hoping to either outflank the AUstrian army and attack them from the rear or force them to attack the French on the ground of their choosing.

The navy, in the meanwhile, uses their sloops and smaller ships to patrol the area and ensure that no supplies can reach the city.

Jensai we are going to have to be a bit more detailed. Where are you trying to turn his flank? With how many men and guns?

The French Army, now at 85,000 French Regulars. 75 artillery pieces, and 10,000 horse plus 11,000 Italian volounteers, 20 Italian artillery pieces, and 5,000 Italian horse prepares to engage.

20,000 French regulars, 5,000 cavalry, 25 field guns, plus the Italians split from the main force and attempt to outflank the Austrians to the south, while the main force attacks from the front and other flank. If the Austrians refuse to give battle the French will slip around to get between them and Venice and force the Austrians to attack them.

The Austrians retreat towards Venice and then prepare to accept the battle.
They retreat as far back as to Marghera, protecting their right, and the city of Ronghade their left, ocupied by 5000 men and 8 guns.

Map:
http://www.cimorelli.com/pie/maps/venezia.jpg

ooc:
So, my armie is 110.000 infantry and 20.000 cavlary with 88 guns. I think that at the time the Austrian and French forces were quite equal, or maybe that Austrian were a bit better (acoarding to the sources from the 7 year war), so i have the advantage in numbers.
If the French will trie to come to my flank they will face fire from Marghera or Ronghade. If they manage to get behing our backs (alomst impossible i would say), they will be in range of the siege guns from Venetia. And i belive it is alost impossible that my troops would not notice a few thousand men moving behind them.

So, is the battle on?

The French follow the Austrians back to their positions, then using their cavalry a a screening force, they slip fall back to the North and west, sending 20,000 men, 3,000 cavalry, and 30 artillery pieces, plus the Italians to the west to occupy the crucial road junction at Padua and cut the supply lines. The rest of the army retires to the north-west and occupies Trevisio, the other crucial road junction. The Austrian supply lines are cut.

French Positions in Blue (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77/havoc88/venezia2.jpg)

The smaller lines denote small checkpoints, cavalry patrols, etc. The large lines are the bulk of the two forces.

10.000 troops are left in Marghera, while 25.000 more and 24 guns form a line on each sides of the town. this defencive line will be used to hold back the French in Padova in case they attack out. Meanwhile, the remaining 100.000 troops soround Treviso on 3 sides and prepare for the assault. With this move, they also open a suplie rout...

[img=http://img280.imageshack.us/img280/4222/screenhunter29vf.th.jpg] (http://img280.imageshack.us/my.php?image=screenhunter29vf.jpg)

Yellow: suplie line.
red: Austrian troops.

The French, surrounded and outgunned at Treviso, urge their army commanders to pull back, being flanked and faced by superior troops. However, in their haste to protect their supply lines and the city of Mogliano (the circled city), the Austrians leave the countryside to the south of Mogiano open. French patrols move ever closer to Mogliano and the countryside is stripped bare by the now well fed and supplied French troops.

The French have the initiative in the South as the Austrians have made a slight tactical blunder. They have left the coast roads open and the French might just be able, with quick marching, to slip behind the Austrian armies on the Mestre road. A French army behind Austrian lines would be serious cause for concern and if the French can exploit this opportunity they may gain the upper hand.

On the other side of events, if Austrian troops move quickly, the may be able to crush the French at Treviso and then move on to the Southern French army. This is a decisive point of the campaign and both commanders have difficult choices to make.

The northern-most army beigns a to retreat, avoiding combat with the Austrians. They have orders to circle around through Castelfranco and re-occupy the southern army's old positions at Padua. In the meantime, the southern army begins a quick march in an effort to get behind the Austrian lines and potentially occupy Venice.

Once again the French Navy calls for the surrender of Venice, noting that their men are starving and have no supplies.

In the meanwhile, a French sloop calls at a Naples port, asking to hire a dozen ships to use to ferry supplies.

Naples, scared half to death by the sudden appearance of French authority, hastily agree, and release, at a price, dozens of ships to ferry supplies.

By now Naples has realised it could potentially be in trouble with either major power or even both if things go badly so it is willing to co-operate with whoever appears most threatening to their interests at the time.

OOC: It's not like we were trying to intimidate them. A small naval ship showed up and the captain politely asked to hire some ships.

ooc: How do you slip out of a city, that is sorounded by 3 sides? Do you think my troops would just stand and watch the French leave?
Also, how can an army of a few thousand march trough a coridor, with a coast on ane and my army on the other side, wich is not even 1 kilometer wide?

ic:
As the French apear out of Trivio on the open, all cannons are ordered to create a barage, preventing them from leaving the city. And since the French left their posts, 50.000 infantry burst into the city, they march quickly and in order, hoping to catch the French and fore cthem in battle. They fire at any Frenck spoted and trie to do as much casualties as they can.
Meanwhile, 20.000 cavalry go around Trivio on the left side, hoping to cut of the french, wich are retreating and are in marching order, so they will, hopfully, not be able to defend them against such a strong opponent.

The army at marghera blocks the costal road with baricades and 5000 men, transported form the south of the line. The cannons, again, open fire at the French that come on the open ground and are without cover...

A polite answer is sent to the French admiral, stating, that they rather all die with honour, than to surender...

On the costal road the bufles sound the advance and the French regulars advance, their brigades deploying into lines. He spectacle is magnificent. Flags flap in the wind and drums beat the march. The French artillery unlimbers and begins firing roundshot intothe Austrian positions. The French and Italian cavalry hovers near the edge of battle, waiting for an oppourtunity to exploit an opening.

[OOC: A retreat does not mean every single man leaves their post. It means they begin pulling trooops out of the line nad get them amrching until they finally pull evryone out of the line. We're not so stupid as to not leave a rearguard.]

The French cavalry counterattacks againstteh advancing Austrian infantry, hoping to buy the rest of the army enough time to finish the retreat.

ooc: ok, now we wait for Gintonpar...
Also, i totaly agree that there is a rear guard, but a thousand men (or something like that) could never hold back 50.000 men...so i think...

Also, you do realise that i have baricades and dirt embarkments blocking the line at Marghera, so a cavalry attack could result as a disaster....just to let you know...

Otherwise, i hope for a nice battle here... :)

Treviso



The French will not retreat in good order from Treviso. They are assailed by a massive number of infantry and they are only saved by the cavalry. The cavalry advantage the French have allows their army to escape relatively undamaged but in doing so they are disorganised and, more importantly, they will lose the cavalry advantage. From now on, the Treviso Army of the French will be equal in cavalry numbers with the Austrians and, as it is smaller, it is also extremely vulnerable.



Coast Road

On the coast road, the French army have a considerable artillery superiority because of their naval advantage and this enables them to push on down the road. They also sweep aside the 5,000 men set to block them. Casualties are fairly light but, as there are only 5,000 men sent to block the road they are beaten off, but the commander is sensible enough to retreat in good order.


Summing Up


The French have a disorganised army retreating from Treviso, but are behind the main Austrian forces as they push down the coast road. This is going to be a close one.

Also, could the French player post the numbers of his armies (including Piedmontese Troops) on his next move please.

The main Austrian army press forward in persuit the French retreating from Trevisio. The cannons open fire at them, hoping to hold them pined down for long enough for the main army to catch them. The cavalry position themself left of town and reorgainise, then make another cahrge for the disorderd enemies, hoping to reach them before they regroup.

40.000 men are sent from Trevisio to fight of the advencing French. At the same time, 10.000 men from Marghera push on lheir left, hoping to get the cut off, and force them to surender.

The comander in Venice transports 15 of his siege guns on the costal side of (the side closer to coast) and opens fire at the French ships suporting the ground troops.

My numbers:
-50.000 infantry and 20.000 cavalry pursuing the French at Trevisio.
-10.000 troops 64 guns are standing south of Trevisio (these guns are forming the barage).
-40.000 attacking the French forces at the coast from the Trevisio side.
-10.000 troops attacking the French forces at the coast from the Marghera side.
-5000 infantry and 24 guns in Marghera.

Retreating from Trevisio: 65,000 men, 5,000 cavalry, 45 guns

Attacking along the coast road: 20,000 French troops, 5,000 French cavalry, 30 French guns, plus 11,000 Piedmontese troops, 20 Italian guns, and 5,000 Italian cavalry.

The army on the retreat halts and attempts to reorginize so as to give battle. They now outnumber their opponents in infanty power. They remain on the defensive.

The 31,000 troops along the coast reorganize and wheel to the North, attacking straight into the oncoming Austrains, planning on using their artillery and cavalry advantage to force the Austrians into squares before pounding them into bloody ruin with artillery and concentrated musket fire.

Waiting for Wolfenbach.

ooc: my post is above Jensais, but i'll post a more detailed one (the numbers of parts of armies are listed in the upper post):

The 64 guns at Treviso open fire at the retreating French, pounding them as hard as they can. They hope to keep the disordered until the cavalry reach them again (20.000 horses). 50.000 infantry advance directly trough Treviso with a quick march, they advance in 5 lines of 10.000.

The 40.000 men attacking the French army at the coast also form lines, and advance, hoping to fight of the cavalry with heavy musket fire.
At the same time, the army in Marghera open fire at these men from its 24 guns, while 10.000 men march on to attack the French rear.

The comander in Venice transports 15 of his siege guns on the costal side of (the side closer to coast) and opens fire at the French ships suporting the ground troops.

ooc: Apologies for being late.

Treviso

The sudden French decision to give battle catches the Austrians unaware and as their advance guard marches through Treviso they are greeted by a French artillery barrage and a well executed infantry attack, without any artillery support immediately available they take heavy casualties and are forced to take shelter on the outskirts of the Treviso so as to benefit from their own artillery who can now cover them. The French decision to give battle isolated the Austrian infantry attacking out of Treviso and allowed a minor French victory. However, casualties are fairly light. The French lose some 100 dead and double that wounded. The Austrians lose 400 killed and 1000 wounded, mainly from the artillery from the newly established French positions. The Austrian infantry in Treviso are also disorganised and worried as French artillery, situated within the French army, begins to fire into their positions.


Coast Road


The Austrian advance targets the Piedmontese infantry and, after a brief musket duel, the Piedmontese flee, this sends a ripple of panic through the outnumbered French who move back, however they move in an ordered fashion and regroup. Their retreat covered by their cavalry advantage. Both sides suffer heavy casualties from artillery, with the Austrians coming off worse. The end result of this conflict is that the Franco-Piedmontese troops are driven back a small distance and are open to attack on a level playing field from Austrian troops.

Casualties:

600 Piedmontese dead
1100 Piedmontese wounded
2000 Piedmontese desert

310 French dead
500 French wounded

800 Austrian dead
2100 Austrian wounded (Austrian casualties mainly due to artillery)

The Austrian troops detailed to march into the French rear have the French artillery turned on them and suffer a further 100 dead and 450 wounded but their march continues, threatening to outflank the French troops


Summary

The French have the advantage now at Treviso, the Austrians on the coast road. This is the crucial point probably.

ooc: I know that you are the moderator, and i will apply your decisions, but i would like to tell you that i do not agree with you totaly...

The army in Treviso was only a few minutes behind the French, and it takes a lot more to organise 65 thousand men and prepare the canons. Also, i did have cavalry, 20.000 of them, attacking the French flank, what happened to those? And i did have support from my guns, as i noted that 64 guns are fireing at the French, that would couse some more casuaties i think...

Also, at the costal road, the runing piedmontese and french would be sloughtered by my foces moving from rear, result-> much more casualties. And the canons could not fire on both sides at the same time except to split them up, but if they would, than such an amount of casuaties from them would be impossible. I mean, there are only 30 guns!

But, you are the moderator, so be it...

ic:

The troops at the coast are happy for the small victory and advance forward once more, trying to capture the French between the two lines and masacre them if they would not surender.

In Treviso, the Austrians form lines again and advance forward together with the cavalry on the left flank.

At Trevisio the French deploy into line 50,000 strong, with a 15,000 man reserve to commit or to act as a rearguard if things go horribly wrong. The Cavalry hovers on the French Right, in an effort to disuade the Austrian cavalry from an all-out attack. The French artillery on the right focuses it's fire on the cavalry, while the other artillery pieces focus on the oncoming infantry.

On the coast road the French naval commander orders his ships as close to shore as possible to give the French artillery support. The French infantry shift so that there rear is protected by the sea, forming a semicircle of sorts, with the Piedmont troops anchored by French regulars and officers to ensure they will not run this time. The French and Piedmont Artillery concentrates their fire, while the cavalry waits as just behind the line of infnatry to ensure that they do not run and that ifthe Austrians manage to break through they will be facing a cavalry charge, forcing them to either retreat or go into squares and be slaughtered by artillery.

At Treviso, the Austrian and French artillery ultimately cancel eachother out and the two lines lock into a meatgrinder. Since neither of the cavalry of either side are comitted it looks like staying this way for a time. Both sides have roughly equal training, with the French being slightly shaken with their retreat from Treviso and being forced hurriedly into battle. Still, casualties pile up and the lines simply duke it out.

On the coast road, The aid of the French naval guns in combination with the superior franco-piedmontese artillery begins to wreak havoc among the advancing Austrians. Their advance halts as the artillery begins to bite and the men find cover where they can. If it came to a straight fight the Austrians would probably win because of the god awful quality of the Piedmontese infantry and the narrow front the French have to attack along in order to avoid the guns of the town. There is somewhat of a stalemate here. The French will probably have to make the next attacking move as the Austrians are pinned by the heavy base of artillery that the French have established.

At Treviso, 8000 cavalry turns and ride towards the coast, to aid in the attack on the Franco-Piedmontese forces that are sorounded there.
Guns in venice fire at the ships, trying to force them to retreat...

The main army at Treviso strugels to prevail, and everytime a men falls, another takes its place. 3 regiments of granadiers are sent around the French left and press from there, attacking the French line from flank, and hoping to break them.
At the same time, 12.000 cavalry that are left, lounch a full scale charge on the French right flank. if the will not form squares, they will probably scatered and trampled, and if they will, all Austrian left flank plus some reenforcments will push on under the cover of cavalry...

At Trevisio the remaining French heavy cavalry launch themselves into the oncoming Austrians in an effort to stem the cavalry charge. Should they fail the French artillery will atempt to blast the cavaley from their saddles. Should the artillery not work, the infantry will form squares and hope for the best.

On the left the French coutner-attack with a full brigade, attempting to turn the Austrian line.

Near the coast the French prepare to attack towards Venice, sending their cavlary forward to force the Asutrians into squares. The cavalry will remain in a threatening position until the French line and artillery can engage them and annhilate the tightly packed squares.

Treviso

The Austrian cavalry attacking on the left sweep aside the remnants of the French heavies but become slightly ragged in their order and under the bombardment of the artillery they take heavy losses. The French infantry forms square and the Austrian cavalry is forced to break off. The Austrian brigade following up this attack begins firing on the squares and initially wins the fight. However, now that the Austrian attack on the left has pushed back the French squares, their artillery cannot fire on the squares for fear of hitting their own troops and the concentrated French artillery takes its toll. However, the French are forced to retreat to a more defensible position and their flank is turned, though not disorganised.

Coast Road

The French ships begin to take damage but the guns are just warming up and the long range means they are relatively unharmed for now. It is the decision of the French commander whether to pull them back or not, but they will get more damaged as the day goes on. Nevertheless, it is doubtful that the Austrians can win the battle while the French possess such a massive artillery advantage.

The attacking cavalry do indeed force the Austrians into squares and they begin to take heavy casualties once more from the artillery as the French cavalry are able to stay out of the way of the cannons line of sight but still are able to threaten the infantry into squares. However, the advancing Austrian cavalry could very well turn the tide.

Treviso:

The cannons focuse their fire on the French right, while the cavalry trie to ride behind their backs and destroy the artilery. The left flank pushes forward towards the french right, hoping to break the whole line. At the same time, all line pushes even harder so the French cant turn towards their flank.

Coastal road:

The troops start to pull back, but slowly and in order, keeping up a fire at the French. If the French will follow, the 10.000 troops that are on their backs will attack the artilery, and the cavalry will cahrge thire flank, hopingly, push the into the sea.

The Neopolitan mercenary force paid for by the Austrian crown set sail from the port town of Greviel. The fleet will have the French navy trapped near Venice. The fleet includes 7 ships-of-the-line and 15 frigates which will arrive within 8 hours.

OOC could the French post their navy numbers

ooc: so, will the French retreat as we aranged it the coalition thread? If you rise a white flag, all your men including the commanders and Piedmontese troops will be given a free pasage to the borded. They will be alowed to take with them all standards, colors, canons, wagons and any personal belongings.

As the fighting lulls, a French officer rides forward under flag of truce, requesting that the French army be allowed to retrieve it's wounded and then withdraw without further fighting.

Feldmarshal Schwarzberg rode forward with some of the high officers. They congartulate the French comander and allowed him and his men a safe pasage. As the French marched away, all the granadiers salut with their rifles, and 3 6 pounders fire a greet salvo. The war was over...

ooc: Gin, could you please post my casualties now that it is over?