A Fistful of Airfix: Battle of Kleinstadt

Napoleonic Battle Report

It is the year 180something. Napoleon has invaded Austria and is advancing on Vienna from the south. His army is moving in several columns, and one of them, the main force of which is II Corps reaches the town of Kleinstadt. unknown to the French, the Austrian Archduke Charles has managed to concentrate his forces nearby. Whilst weaker than the entire French army, Charles significantly outnumbers the French force at Kleinstadt and seizing the opportunity to destroy part of Napoleon's army before help arrives he orders the attack. Can II Corps hold out until reinforcements reach them?

Orders of Battle

French:

Napoleon

II Corps - Reille

Bauduin's Brigade - 2 x 24 veteran light infantry

Husson's Brigade - 1 x 24 line infantry, 1 x 24 veteran line infantry

Jamin's Brigade - 2 x 24 line infantry

Pire's Light Cavalry Brigade - 1 x 16 Chasseurs a Cheval

2 x 8 pdr foot batteries

IV Cavalry Corps - Kellerman

1 x 12 line Dragoons

1 x 16 veteran Cuirassiers

1 x 4 pdr horse battery

Reserves (off table)

Both I Corps and the Imperial Guard are in the general area and may advance to the sound of the guns, or not!

Austrian:

Archduke Charles

1 x 6 veteran sappers

Advance Guard - Von Nordmann

2 x 24 line Grenzer

Light Cavalry Brigade - Von Frolich

1 x 12 Uhlans

1 Division - Von Bellegarde

3 x 24 line infantry

2 x 6 pdr foot batteries

2 Division - Von Hohenzollern

2 x 24 line infantry

1 x 24 Conscript Landwehr

2 x 6 pdr foot batteries

Reserve Cavalry - Hessen Homburg

1 x 14 line Chevauleger

1 x 16 Elite Cuirassier

Reserves (off table)

Grenadier Corps - Lichtenstein

4 x 24 elite grenadiers

2 x 12 pdr foot batteries

The Set-Up:

The French positions are on the right of the picture. Bottom right is Pire's light cavalry facing the west woods. Above them on the Kleinburg ridge is Napoleon himself with Reille behind the 2 artillery batteries of II Corps. Covering the gap between the ridge and Kleinstadt is Hussons Brigade with Kelleremans heavy cavalry in reserve, Kellerman's horse artillery is positioned forwards with the infantry. Jamin's Brigade is holding Kleinstadt with 1 regiment and the other is in reserve in assult column behind the town. Bauduin's Brigade of light infantry is holding the east woods with detached skirmishers and the remainder of his troops are formed in line in the open behind the trees.

The Austrian army faces them with Von Frolichs Uhlans bottom left ahead of Von Nordmann's Grenzers. To their left facing the gap between the ridge and Kleinstadt is Von Bellegarde's division in column. Opposite Kleinstadt itself Charles has combined his artillery to form a grand battery, behind which he has taken position with the sappers and the reserve cavalry. To their left in the distance is Von Hohenzollern's division formed in assault columns facing Kelinstadt and the east woods.