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Isaszag, 6th April 1849 This Volley & Bayonet scenario has been developed by William Haggart. Background On March 17th Görgei took command of the Honvéd army from an ill General Vetter. General Klapka prepared a plan for something new for the Hungarian Army: an offensive campaign. It was designed to trap Windisch-Grätz and his army of 50,000 in the Gödöllő area, east of Budapest. The fine intelligence work of the Hungarian Hussars kept Görgei informed of the Austrians maneuvers while denying them any knowledge of the Hungarian concentrations. The plan was to use the Seventh Corps to attract Windisch-Grätz's attention, while three other corps crossed the Tisza River behind them. Only bad luck wrecked the plan. A small raiding party of 1,000 Hungarians attacked an imperial unit at Losonc on March 24th. The unit's commander, in order to justify his defeat, reported that several thousand Honvéd had attacked him. The Austrian high command gave credit to the report assuming that the Hungarians were moving to their left to relieve the siege of the fortress of Komárom. The Austrians reacted and instead of a trap closing, the Hungarians ran into Schlik's Austrian army corps on April 2nd. Nearly surrounded, the encirclement failed and Schlik escaped. April 4th also saw heavy fighting were the Hungarians again prevailed against Jellacic's corps. The 3rd and 9th Honvéd battalions' attacks across the Tápió Bridge won the day and drove the Austrians closer to Gödöllő . Windisch-Grätz knew he was in trouble. On April 5th he began to organize a withdrawal. Wrbna's II Corps fell back to cover Budapest, while the other two corps covered the movement, knowing the Hungarians would attack. Schlik's Corps blocked the northern approaches to Gödöllő, while Jellacic faced east near Isaszeg. The next day, around 1p.m., Hungarian troops appeared in the Isaszeg area--Klapkas 1st Army Corps, followed by the 3rd Army Corps. Scenario: The
Battle of Isaszag, April 6th, 1849 Terrain: The table is 9' X 5', the squares one foot on a side. One inch represents 100 yards. The top of the map is west; right side is north. Woods: The dark tree symbols are open woods, passable to infantry, but difficult for artillery and cavalry. They should block any line of sight and offer some defensive fire and melee bonuses for infantry. Vineyards and Orchards: The lighter woods symbols represent vineyards and orchards. They disorder all arms and block line of sight. No defensive bonuses should be given because of the movement difficulties in the vineyards and the openness of the orchards. Hills: The hills have moderate slopes and are about 30 to 50 meters high. Slopes should slow movement and provide line of sight and defensive benefits to units on the crests. Rivers
and Streams: This is April. The Rákos River proved to be difficult to
cross, while the other streams on the map were obstacles to movement. To cross
the Rákos should disorder troops and stop them, crossing should be next turn,
except at the bridges at the edge of the towns. All streams should slow movement
across them as per the rules. Towns
and Villages: Jacabszallas and Babli are villages. All the rest of the
built-up areas are towns of one or more bases. I have shown the actual shape and
size of the towns for interest and also to leave it to the players how to best
represent this on the table. The ony requirement is that the basic table area be
filled in relation to the foot square markings on the map. Obviously exactness
is not going to be achieved. The towns are mostly wood construction with stone
buildings in the center. Time: The battle begins at 1 p.m. and goes until 8 p.m. This will be 6 hour turns. The Hungarians move first, entering the table. Special Circumstances: 1842M Augustin Musket: Both armies had regular units armed with the 1842M Augustin-type cartridge-fuse smoothbore musket. It had an early version of the percussion-cap. This should increase the firepower of these units. The question is "how much?" No calculations of the smoothbore's effect compared to the flintlock have been found. I give them a 15% increase in their fire effects, depending on the game rules. For instance, it has been determined that as many as one in four shots of a musket misfired, so decreasing that misfire to 1 in 6 or 7 seems reasonable, but just a guess. When infantry units fire, normal or stationary, one die hits on a 5-6 . This is for formed units only--not skirmishers. Rockets: The rockets used by both sides were light, short-range weapons that were used in those situations where canister was appropriate. They were deployed on tri-pods and set up close together. They were usually fired horizontally. They had an effective range of about 400 yards. Rockets are treated as light artillery, except they only use the short range of light artillery, 4". When used against cavalry, they have a to hit of 4-6, but cavalry still have a saving throw. Force Setup: Austrians: Schlik's III Corps sets up within 18" of 'A', (which is 2" below the 'Y' intersection in the center of the square.) but no further North. Lobkowitz's Division sets up closest to 'A' and Leichtenstein's Division sets up behind (south) of Lobkowitz's units. Jellacic's I Corps sets up within 18" of 'B'. Historically, Jellacic set up one brigade in the King's Forest, the Királyerdő, one brigade and the artillery behind the Rákos west of Isaszeg, one brigade in Isaszeg and the cavalry north of Isaszeg. One brigade was held in reserve behind Isaszeg. Any TWO units from the Army Artillery Reserve my start the game on the map attached to any Corps. They behave just like Corps Reserve units. The Austrian CinC Windisch-Grätz enters the table at Gödöllő at 3p.m. The Army Reserve Artillery enters with the CinC beginning that turn. Roll a D6 for the 3 pm turn and every turn thereafter until all the artillery as arrived. The number rolled is the number of artillery SPs brought on from the Reserve, Austrian player's choice. If there are odd SPs that can't be brought on, they can't be brought on that turn. They can't be saved either. Only the SPs rolled for that turn may come on that turn. Historically, only part of the Army Artillery Reserve appeared at the battle. Hungarians: Klapka's 1st Corps enters the East side of the table between Tápiósáp and '1' inclusive. Damjanich's 3rd Corps may enter on the first turn OR the next turn on the table anywhere from '1' to 18" EAST (right) of the '1' position. Aulich's 2nd Corps arrives on the 3 p.m. turn anywhere between '1' and Valkó, but not in Valkó. Görgei enters the table with Aulich's troops. Gaspar's 7th Corps sets up within 12" Hévízyörk and 12" of the north edge of the table. If there is no room, up to two divisions can be held off the table. When they enter, it must be within 18" of Hévízyörk on the north side of the table. 7th Corps Release: Gaspar was a very cautious officer, and under orders not to attack the Austrians. Görgei failed to send an order to correct this during the battle. As a result, Gaspar did not threaten Schlik at all until he began to withdraw his III Corps troops to support Jellacic. When the Austrian player moves any of the III Corps troops SOUTH of the original setup locations of Leichtenstein's Division, the Hungarian player rolls for the release of the 7th Corps. Roll a D6 each turn. On a roll of 5-6, one division is released that turn, the roll being done once each turn until all three divisions are free to move and attack. IF the Austrians attack any of the 7th Corps or if ANY units of BOTH divisions in the Austrian III Corps moves SOUTH of the original setup locations of Leichtenstein's Division, then the entire 7th Corps is released on a roll of 4-6. This means as long as one division stays north of Leichtenstein's original setup location, the Hungarians will continue to release their divisions on a roll of 5-6. Victory Conditions: The Hungarians win a tactical victory if they inflict casualties 1.5 as great as their own and capture Isaszeg. They win a decisive victory if they accomplish the tactical victory conditions and either capture Gödöllő and cut the Austrian's LOC (The road out of Gödöllő west off the table) OR inflict twice the casualties on the Austrian as they suffer. "Cutting" the LOC means a Hungarian unit must be placed on the road in Gödöllő with no Austrian units within 9 inches of it at the end of the game. A strategic victory would be to capture Gödöllő, cutting off enough Austrians from their LOC by the end of the game (that is, the Austrians that have not left the table are counted as destroyed IF the LOC is cut.) that when they are counted as casualties, the Hungarians have inflicted more than twice the casualties suffered. The Austrians win a tactical victory by avoiding all Hungarian victory conditions, tactical, decisive or strategic. The Austrians win a Decisive victory it they achieve their tactical conditions while inflicting half again as many casualties on the Hungarians as they received. In the actual battle, the Hungarians won a decisive victory. Variant: Wrbna's II Corps OOB has been included for this Variant. It could have been recalled, or not have been as far west as it was historically. At the start of the game, it is assumed that Windisch-Grätz has sent a message to Wrbna to march back. Each turn, starting with the 2 pm turn, the Austrian player rolls a D6. On a roll of 1-3, One of Wrbna's Divisions enters the table at Gödöllő. This is done until all of Wrbna's divisions enter. After the first division of Wrbna's comes on the table, the Hungarian 7th Corps will be released on a roll of 4-6. If one of Wrbna's divisions enters the game at 2pm, the rest of the Army Reserve artillery may also begin rolling for entry the same turn, rather than waiting until 3 pm. Austrian Main Army: Fedlmarschcall Fürst Windisch-Grätz (AC)
(43,855
and 263 guns) Army
Reserve
I
ARMEE KORPS, Fedlmarschcall-Lieutenant
Jellacic (CC) (11,500 infantry, 5,500 cavalry, 1,560 artillerists, 68
guns Total:18,060 men and 68 guns) Corps Artillery
1st
Division, FML Hartlich (DC), Ex = 7
2nd
Division, FML Schulzig (DC), Ex = 6
Cavalry
Division, FML Ottinger, (DC), Ex = 6
II Armee Korps FML Wrbna, (CC) (10,075 infantry, 2,250 cavalry, 1,260 artillerists / 63 guns. Total: 13,585 men & 63 guns) Corps Artillery Reserve
1st
Division, FML Csorich (DC), Ex = 6
2nd
Division, FML Fürst Schwarzenberg, (DC), Ex = 12
III Armee Korps,FML Count Franz Schlick (CC) (9,000 infantry, 2,250 cavalry, 960 artillerists and 48 guns. Total: 12,210 and 48 guns) Corps Artillery Reserve
1st
Division, FML Lobkowitz (DC), Ex = 8
2nd
Division, FML Leichtenstein (DC), Ex = 8
The
Austrian Army: While a solid army, any aggressive fire it may have had, had been distinguished by a week of serious drubbings from the Hungarians, one corps at time. The Honvéd army was on the ascendancy. The infantry units, other than Jagers, that can deploy skirmishers include Grenz battalions or the field battalions of the Austrian German regiments. The 3rd, 4th, or landwehr battalions may not. They were newly called up, but with some experience. The Cavalry was a strong arm of the Austrians, but it did not demonstrate the élan necessary to either break the Hungarian infantry or regularly best their cavalry one-to-one. They have no shock bonus. The exhaustion rates for the divisions are forty to fifty percent, depending on the units and leaders in the divisions. The Austrian's one-eyed general, Schlick, what arguably the Austrian's best corps commander. When he is in contact with one of his two divisional commanders, he negates the effects of exhaustion for that division. He may do that for just one division at at time. When a division losses enough SPs to collapse, it does, suffering all the effects regardless of Schlick's presence.
The Honvéd Upper Danubian Army Major-General Artúr Görei Commanding (AC) (49,550 and 180 guns) I CORPS, Major-General Georg Klapka (CC) (9,200 infantry, 1,600 cavalry 800 artillerists & forty guns.Total: 11,600 men & 40 guns.)
1st
Division, Colonel Desewssy (DC), Ex = 6
2nd
Division, Colonel Kazinczy (DC), Ex = 6
II CORPS, Major-General Lajos Aulich (CC) (6,800 Infantry, 1,800 Cavalry, 640 Artillerists & 32 guns Total: 9,040 men & 32 guns)
1st
Division Colonel Rakowski DC Ex = 6
2nd
Division, Colonel Horvath (DC), Ex = 6
III CORPS, Major-General Johann Damjenich (CC) (9,200 infantry, 2,000 cavalry, 800 gunners & 40 guns Total: 12,000 men & 40 guns)
1st
Division, Colonel Wysocki (DC), Ex = 8
2nd
Division, Colonel NágySandor (DC), Ex = 6
VII Corps, Major-General Gáspár (CC) (12,400 infantry, 3,150 cavalry, 1,360 gunners & 68 guns. Total=16,910 men & 68 guns)
1st
Division, Colonel Kossuth (DC), Ex = 8
2nd
Division, Colonel Kmety (DC ), Ex = 7
3rd
Division, Colonel Pöltenerg (DC), Ex = 8
By this time, skirmishing had become a regular occurrence on the battlefield. The Hungarians may deploy as skirmishers as indicated, as well as of the Rifles and Ranger companies/Battalions. However, the players may like to use an extra rule: The Honvéd infantry had begun to use squad tactics in battle, a combination of Indian rushes and alternating fire support between advancing squads. To try and simulate this, Hungarian skirmish stands may attack formed units as skirmishers. They move into contact with enemy infantry stands as long as there are at least two skirmish stands (From any units) attacking one enemy infantry stand. They take defensive fire as skirmishers, fire as skirmishers, but mele attack as formed infantry. At the end of the attack, whether they win or lose, they are treated as skirmish units. However, they may make breakthough attacks in the same fashion. (This means, depending on the stand size you are using, no more than three skirmish stands can contact an enemy infantry unit. This simulates the broader front and dispersed nature of the attack. This kind of attack will be handy in some situations, even as a threat, but in general it will not a good tactic for a general assault.) Klapka's I Corps divisions has the lowest exhaustion rate of the Hungarian army: under 50%. Klapka's infantry battalions were filled with new recruits. The rest o the in the Hungarian Army and Damjenich's elite III Corps enjoy 50% to 60% exhaustion rates. I rounded down for the Austrians and up for the Hungarians. The Hungarian Hussars were arguably the best cavalry of the war, and the decisive arm in a number of engagements. They have been given a high morale rating and a shock bonus. Scenario Notes: This is a great scenario. It has one side on the defensive, outnumbered nearly 3-2 when all the forces are on the table, but enjoying interior lines and local superiority at different times during the battle. There are opportunities for just about every kind of combat possible with infantry assaults, massed cavalry melees and grand batteries. The scenario also translates well into either a Napoleonic battle or ACW scenario. All that is needed are similar numbers and morale ratings. The
Battle of Isaszeg Jellacic positioned his corps on mounds along the Rákos River west of Isaszeg. Gramment's brigade kept the King's Forest southeast of Isaszeg occupied. Fighting began for the possession of the forest. Some of Damjanich's battalions thrust their way into the forest from the north, while a few of Klapka's troops invaded its southern edge. Pursuing the retreating imperial forces, Klapka's Honvéd were the first one at the Rákos and surprised the imperial troops retreating from Damjanich and they routed. In order to help his troops Jellacic deployed some battalions from his main position that succeeded in driving Klapka back. Damjanich's battalions remained alone. However, he did not retreat but sent a brigade to support his uncovered left flank and commanded an infantry assault on Isaszeg. The Hungarian infantry suffered serious casualties when they came under fire from Austrian cannon on the far side of the river. They approached the town, but unexpected artillery fire came from the north of Isaszeg. Schlik had moved a division to support Jellacic. He was able to do this because the Hungarian 7th Corps remained idle. Despite two hours of cannon fire and the requests of his divisional commanders, General Gáspár strictly adhered to earlier orders to not launch any attacks against Schlik. His inaction placed Damjanich in a precarious position. Yet, the preeminent division in the Hungarian army, Wysocki's division and its unyielding commander, held out against a highly superior force. Damjanich improvised a right flank from his last two reserve battalions, the 3rd Honvéd and the battalion of the Polish Legion, driving back the enemy, charging with three and later four battalions in four succeeding waves. The persistence paid off--the Austrians were stalemated. In the southern section of the frontline, things were turning in the Hungarians' favor. Aulich and the army commander, Görgei appeared on the battlefield, helping give Klapka time to reorganize his troops and reenter the battle on the left side of the 3rd Corps. Under fire, his troops again wavered, but the 2nd Corps supported them. Windisch-Grätz arrived about 3 p.m. and immediately decided the battle had to be ended. He deployed the bulk of his cavalry northeast of Isaszeg across the river in open terrain. Aulich's batteries, deployed to assist the 3rd Army Corps, shattered their first attack. However, the 12 cuirassier squadrons managed to wade across the Rákos and clashed with 14 hussar squadrons of the Hungarian cavalry brigade under Colonel Nagysádor. It was a seesaw battle with fresh squadrons thrown in by both sides. Eventually both this fight and the whole battle were decided by events on the Hungarian left flank. Klapka's and then Aulich's attacks drove the imperial infantry out of the King's Forest and then from Isaszeg, which was now burning. Seeing this, Jellacic surrendered his positions about 8 p.m. and withdrew towards Gödöllő. Two of the most tenacious fighters on either side, Damjanich and Schlik, kept fighting well into the night. It only ended when Windisch-Grätz, belatedly notified about the I Corps withdrawal, ordered Schlik to follow them back through Gödöllő. The Austrian losses were about 2,000 dead, wounded and captured. The Hungarian casualties were about 1,000. On April 7th, a demoralized Austrian Army retreated back to Budapest. Isaszeg was a turning point in the war. Until the Russian intervention in June, the Austrians were on the defensive and in a month would be retreating across the Hungarian borders and back into Austria. |