Saturday 1 January 2022

Goodnight Vienna

I know you’ve all been wondering just what has been happening in the Austria 1805 Campaign and finally I can lift the cloak of secrecy to reveal that, by a clever flanking manoeuvre, the emperor has taken Vienna without a shot fired.

So this is what Napoleon's been up to - I still can't reveal everything as there are certain of my forces whose whereabouts remain unknown to Rob.

Since the opening of hostilities Napoleon with the Guard has been engaged on a wide flanking movement via the Semmering Pass to fall upon Vienna from the east. This movement, perfectly screened by Murat and Lasalle, appears to have gone undetected by the enemy.

During the forced march over the Semmering Pass the Guard had a bit of a rough time due to straggling and had to remain stationary for 2 turns to recover their strength. At one point the 2nd Grenadiers were down to 16 figures.

The result is that both Blucher and Aldercruetz decided to withdraw behind the barrier of the Danube rather than face Napoleon in open battle. With the weather turning decidedly nippy the emperor is pleased to be warming his feet by the firesides of Schonbrunn Palace (my, how nicely the furniture burns).

Napoleon enters Vienna.

We’re now on Turn 11 and with only 4 turns left to play Rob knows I must retain Vienna and win a battle if I’m going to amass more VP’s than him. He could just keep running away but that would be unsporting so all will hinge on a final battle.

15 comments:

Rob said...

What is it with these French that they are so obsessed by capital cities?
Occupying Vienna decided nothing in 1805 or again in 1809, neither did their taking of Berlin in 1806 or Moscow in 1812... when will they ever learn, when will they ever learn...

Rob said...

This means nothing to me, Oh Vienna.

Stryker said...

Methinks you doth protest too much…

Matt said...

From the title I thought this was a definitive narrative on how an iconic 80's classic was kept off the number one spot by a one hit wonder novelty track.

Instead I read this bit of skulduggery by the Emperor who even now is warming his cockles in someone else's palace!

Oh Vienna indeed!

Stryker said...

Matt, all I can say to you (and your Austrian chums) is “Shaddup You Face!”

Jeffers said...

If he brought that rowing boat from his previous great victory with him, he can amuse himself on the Danube too. Until the inevitable happens…

Stryker said...

Jeffers, sadly the campaign rules don’t allow a crossing of the Danube if the town on the opposite bank is occupied so no boats this time!

David said...

I knew old Boney had a trick up his sleeve. Come on Rob, don't let us down. Amass your troops and dare the emperor to get some snow on his boots!

Wellington Man said...

Where have all the Austrains gone, long time passing.....
The Kaiser is clearly planning to fight to the last Prussian.

the Archduke said...

The guard..straggling..the writing is on the wall. Oh no, I forgot, they don’t do fighting....

Stryker said...

David, if Rob would only stand and fight we’d certainly be prepared to get snow on our boots!

Stryker said...

WM - don’t worry we still have tabs on the Austro-Russians!

Stryker said...

Nigel, in fact Napoleon (with the Guard) did attack Blucher but he preferred to retreat beyond the Danube rather than stand and face the Grumblers!

'Lee. said...

What an amazing spectacle, this must have been what you dreamed of all those years ago when you started this project.

Stryker said...

Lee, I never dreamed it would end up like this!