1809 Project in 15/18mm: Battle of Eckmuhl Part Four: The First Day's Play, set up and first Moves 1.40pm to 2.20pm

 Just a reminder that I have set the scene in Part One and explained the battlefield construction in detail in Parts Two and Three. Here is a link to the previous part from which you can track back to the beginning for newcomers or if you need a refresher. In this part I'll try to explain the plans and dispositions of both sides, show the starting set up and describe the first two moves of play. This took place on Friday 12th September 2025

Those who like to follow the detail might wish to be reminded of this link to the documentation (briefs, orders of battle etc)  in the Download sidebar.  

The First Day adversaries: From Left - Tony Dillon (Davout, Lefebvre), Paul B (Archduke Charles, Rosenberg, Liechtenstein), Richard Newcombe (Napoleon, Lannes, Vandamme), Steve Johnson (Hohenzollern)

Austrian Plans

Austrian deployment zones

As previously stated I gave Paul the opportunity to allocate most (15 out of 17) of his brigade-sized commands as he wished to the main three Corps Commanders but in 5 Zones (and two designated sub-zones 1A and 1B). I asked him to do a diagram of the subordination of commanders as this is most important for my Abensberg to Wagram (A2W) rules, and especially as across our 3 days he would have several players using it.

Paul's allocation of Austrian "brigades" to Corps

Below is a near final version of Pauls' dispositions by unit. The green square blocks are merely Paul's way of covering up his earlier attempts on the same map and have no significance

A few things got changed by discussion with me pre-game. By Eckmuhl village the artillery had to be placed further back as the water meadow was a no-go area for the guns. A Grenzer skirmish screen was placed along the Laaber northern bank to give  Eckmuhl village early warning of a direct attack. The crosses in the woods between the Laichlings are too long but represent hasty breastworks being manned by light troops and sappers. The village of Luckenpaint was to be "garrisoned" by 3 dummy units and with a dummy general marker; they would keep Tony guessing for a while. At the top left corner there was a misunderstanding over Vecsey' s availability - in fact these troops are strung out Northwest to the Danube keeping an eye on Montbrun's troops performing a similar function for the French across to Abbach. I gave Paul the option to move them at a later stage towards the table if he was desperate, but that risked leaving the route open to Regensburg for Montbrun.

His plan was for Hohenzollern to hold the forward positions from the Laichlings through Eckmuhl across to Rogging and Pfakofen for as long as possible, falling back only when forced to do so. The second line under Rosenberg in Zone 3 had lots of good defensive positions between Thalmassing through Neue Glofsheim and Hohenburg to Gailsburg. However the line was spread very thinly and made to look solid by dummy "blinds". Paul was under no illusions that these units could hold indefinitely against the kind of spirited and numerous French attacks which were expected.  To tackle this problem he positioned his own Archduke Karl command stand in a forward position above Rogging to assess the enemy dispositions and then send messengers to galvanise the Reserve Cuirassiers and Grenadiers forward to reinforce Rosenberg. It wasn't for me to advise but I was surprised there was no contingency provision to move the reserves westerly to protect the right flank from being turned away from the Regensburg route. I was pleased to see that Cuirassiers Brigade C72 was intending to make use of the extra off-table space to reinforce the extreme left flank though.

The umpire looking far too serious with the Austrian players.
But, no matter, Steve Johnson was there and would be cracking
 us up with laughter throughout the day

Allied Plans 

I gave Richard much less freedom in allocating his forces, at least in strategic "terms". That was because having them set more or less historically, and approaching from the South, would make the game "Eckmuhl" with the appropriate feel for objectives and timing. In 1809 Davout had been firm in waiting for Napoleon's first troops to arrive before attacking, and the French and Allies from the South more or less had to make it up as they arrived. This way I felt we would get a more balanced game with each side strongly challenged. Richard and Tony had a lot of freedom to adjust the emphasis of units and location within each Divisional area. Those areas were identified in Part One.
Below are the two maps marked with their units at the start. This will become a bit clearer with the photos later on. Units can be identified if desired from the above linked Allied orbat.

Zones B, C, D and E with Tony's positions for Davout's and Lefebvre's troops

Richard, as Napoleon, has marked up every unit South of the Laaber, even ones of Massena's command which would arrive much later

I had asked both Richard and Tony to write down their basic plan for my understanding (there's no obligation to stick to it, they can change things within the command initiative order system). 

Richard's contained no surprises, being mainly to press on as fast as possible urged on by Napoleon and Lannes who were initially together on central high ground to the East of Unter Debbenbach.

I've made Keith's original HoW rules more flexible in several ways for Napoleonics; one of which is  with an extra grade of commander - "Exceptional". I've also made the four grades have different command zones - 25cm (Exceptional), 20cm (Effective), 15cm (Typical), 10cm (Ineffective). The best category could also order two subordinate command elements at once. Add to that a buildup of relevant commanders within range for any one initiative dice roll and you have a potent capability for speed and surprise. When used appropriately the Allies could have great potential to get things going pretty quickly. The whole Allied army had a fair sprinkling of high quality commanders ranging  from Napoleon, Davout and Lannes as Exceptional Senior commanders through the main French Divisional and Brigade commanders being mainly in the top two categories. Double Moves would be the norm and triple moves an occasional treat....

Tony is an exceptionally knowledgeable, experienced and enthusiastic Napoleonic "big game" wargamer (see for example his Lutzen in the Cotswolds in 2024) and I hoped he would relish the opportunity for a quick strike at the heart of the Austrian defences. He was new to HoW and A2W so maybe I was expecting too much. Tony's plan was to strike hard at the Laichlings and the high ground beyond and clear a passage up the valley for the Bavarians to follow. As will be recognised from the map there were many other options to the North and northeast of Davout's position and Tony was hedging his bets there with no plan as yet in mind, or at least not shared with the umpire. Maybe it was all those Austrian blinds in  Luckenpaint, Thalmassing and the Neue Glofsheim valley intimidating him? But, I don't think any of us could see the master stroke which awaited in Day Three of our game. Tony is full of humour, and difficult to "read" as a player, so maybe I should not have been surprised he was being canny.

"Tony is full of humour..." and no, I'm not drunk just caught
 off guard by the cameraman 

Deployment of Blinds and the most obvious visuals

Those who like the mechanics of other people's games might appreciate this tour of the battlefield as we set out the Blinds. Probably about 10-15% of which are Dummy markers. Units are revealed in line of sight over certain distances, and in woods or BUAs much closer. Spotting can be done from units or commanders but for longer range information each senior commander had one or more "scouts" - two figures representing small squadrons of cavalry led by reliable officers. Normal spotting distances applied, but they could travel 60cm per move, though not within 10cm of any enemy. Enemy Blinds within range of scouts could be revealed this Move with a 4, 5 or 6 or next Move with 1, 2 or 3. Over the last few games we'd simplified this system and it still works OK and is quick to apply. With One Move being 20 minutes, hopefully it can allow for the time for messengers to transit parts of the battlefield with intelligence information without the actual mechanical effort and clutter of extra figures.

Marshall Lannes has yet to deploy his scouts
AB Miniatures - Lannes command group by me,
and these "scouts" are Chasseurs from Paul B's collection

If you find this boring please just skip to the next section which has photos with plenty of miniatures in....

The main table overall view from the hinge of the Allied formation at Schierling

Very little of Davout's Friant Division has reached the "Extra Bit " of the play area yet

Unrevealed "dummy" Blinds in Luckenpaint and who knows what around Thalmassing

Up the valley from Thalmassing through Neue Glofsheim,
but nothing behind this line yet

Rosenberg's thin line encompasses Hohenberg and across to Gailsburg via the woods 

The reverse view across the heart of Rosenberg's line. In the distance the Sandings are unoccupied by either side

Hohenzollern's right flank is in the fortified woods just below Ober Laichling. In the foreground is Deroy's Bavarian Division raring to go.

Most of Vukassovich's command can be seen in and around Eckmuhl by Wurttemburgers and French on the heights around Unter Debbenbach and Lindach

Four regiments plus artillery of Morand's Division yet to be revealed as they advance around Finkofen towards the Laaber water meadows....

.......What would they face in Rogging and Pfakofen?

Deploying the figures
As you can imagine, although Paul and I had prepared and numbered all the units in advance, they still had to be identified when revealed then brought to the table and precise decisions made about placement. So it proved a lengthy, but fun, process, especially when compromises had to be made in some cases where the authors had not allowed enough room on their maps. Here is the overall view followed by closer samples of the deployments at this stage of discovery.

This view covers all the units on the playing area at the start . Obviously both sides have more Brigades and Divisions off table yet to be shown as they approach the table or are activated by messenger

A look along the Allied line at the Grosse Laaber. Morand's Division of Lannes' Corps in the foreground

Mostly Wurttemburg Cavalry of Wollwarth's Division begin the descent to cross the Laaber at the fords

Just North of Schierling Deroy's Bavarian cavalry and artillery get ready to sweep round Hill 102 and attack the Vorberg. To their left the hill crest conceals more artillery

The 13th Legere, all in open order, leads Morand's Divisional advance through  Finkofen towards Zaitskofen  Mostly AB Miniatures from my collection 

The Line regiments of Guiot's Brigade are in march column to their right. AB Miniatures from Paul B's collection

A close confrontation at Eckmuhl bridge and village defended by Grenze Regt Nr 9. A Blind in Unter Deggenbach is Wurttemburg Light Infantry about to make a rush under cover of Horse Artillery fire

All that can be seen on the "extra bit" is Marshal Davout and his heavy artillery battery about to bombard Ober Laichling

Von Keyser's Brigade defends Ober Laichling . There are unrevealed light troops in those woods still concealed  

A view from the rather awkward gap caused by the split tables. Psychologically Tony might have felt his troops were further away than they really were!

The Austrian commanders make final checks before we start the first Move.

Starting the game - 22 April 1809 1320 pm

I'll have to ask your indulgence here - as I reviewed the photos from Day One action, promising myself I'd be ruthless in my "Art Director" role I just weakened. I suppose it's because it was a personal pet project but I felt I could find a story in practically every photo so I have not left many behind "on the cutting room floor". I note that getting the figures on had taken us to around midday so we'd been all morning to get this far but I, for one, had enjoyed the revelation process and I hope you enjoy the subsequent action. The photos reflect the fast pace of action even if it took a long time to do each Move. 

Hugel's Wurttemburg Light infantry brigade makes a quick attack in column across Eckmuhl bridge. Vukassovich realises the defending Grenzer skirmish line is no match for them there and after a quick volley they evade into Eckmuhl, and just beyond.

Of note at the very top of the photo above, (and I failed to take a specific photo of it!) is Seydewitz's Bavarian cavalry brigade charging headlong uphill at the Austrian battery on the Vorberg. There had not been much opportunity for softening them up and hits were sustained from the Austrian canister fire; the outcome was uncertain. In the subsequent melee the Bavarians prevailed sufficiently to cause the make or break morale test which Steve passed and was able to limber up the battery and retreat, as seen below.

The Austrians realise that battery position on the Vorberg is extremely vulnerable and live to withdraw and reform further back.

Luckily for the Austrians Seydewitz also saw ultimate defeat in the face and withdrew back across the water meadow to reform. This at least left a gap for the new Bavarian batteries to find targets around the Laichlings

A little further back Wollwarth's cavalry (Wurttemburgers and French Chasseurs) are beginning a surge across the fords at Walkenstetten and Schnitzmuhl 

They are being followed by more columns of Heavy Cavalry - the Divisions of Nansouty and St Sulpice, 4 regiments in each. These are urged on by Lannes (arrowed) who is able to use his "Exceptional " ability to speed up both Divisional commanders, only delayed by the bottlenecks of the fords.

But even a French Napoleonic super hero like Lannes cannot be everywhere at once. Despite his own "Effective" ability an unboosted Morand rolled a very ordinary initiative dice in Move One and only got his Division as far as Zaitskofen. Faster moving, Gudin was able to catch him up following the same road.

Another view of Eckmuhl village and schloss. The latter was already occupied by Grenzers so the excess are milling round near the back entrance. A watching Archduke Charles can probably see the yawning gap to their right and thinks it's time to activate the still hidden small brigade of cavalry represented by the Blinds at the extreme right of this photo

The 10th Legere are in Unter Laichling leading St Hilaire's attack. They are near enough to reveal, and begin to engage, the defenders of the hasty stockade in Laichling woods. They are a couple of companies of line skirmishers and a very small battalion of the Erzherzog Karl Legion.

In my A2W rules I'm very keen on the flexibility of much of the Light Infantry in this campaign and here is an example. Hugel's Jagers have now formed a better fighting formation on the other bank, have brought forward the Bavarian sappers and are engaging the village defenders  (represented by the low wall). The Wurttemburg Light Infantry have spilled out of Unter Deggenbach in skirmish order to back them up.

Former barrister Richard is "laying down the law" explaining his moves but (and I warned you dear readers) Steve is retaliating by jokes and gestures to try to put him off!

No explanation needed now! Wollwarth's cavalry charge head on at the Bettelberg where they are met by canister fire and a counter charge by reinforced Austrian Hussars 

In middle distance a cluster of Austrian commanders, among them Archduke Charles and FML Hohenzollern, have released Sachsen-Coburg's small cavalry units to join the fray and are busy trying to reform the retreating artillery. The situation is tense, its now mid afternoon real time, who will dominate the Bettelberg......? 

Getting a better initiative roll for Morand in Move Two Richard was able to close up the lead part of 13th Legere and head for the ford at Rogging. Not quite yet able to reveal the Austrian Blinds in the village square  

Guiot's other two regiments were potentially at serious risk in march column from the as yet untested fire from an Austrian battery, so they changed to lines to negotiate the water meadow. We shall leave the French right flank here for the remainder of this post.

Paul puts some Austrian figures on the table at Rogging, and Tony is performing what woud be a repetive cycle for the next few Moves of Allied troops advancing, and being reinforced, from the road through Schierling

On the "extra bit" there is now much more visible evidence of St Hilaire's infantry (foreground). Davout's heavy battery is moving forward to a better position. Beyond them some of Friant's troops are heading through the woods towards Ober Sanding .......

......which is spotted by Steve and so, more to intimidate and slow progress than to cause destruction, he brings forward Stutterheim's cavalry battery from their Glofsheim valley concealment

There was not too much to do in tracking off-table
 movement. Tony had given orders to Piré's Light Cavalry to
stay under cover via Weillohe to the woods behind Thalmassing
 and await events. Meanwhile Friant and a couple of token units
were scouting out those Blinds in Luckenpaint  

St Germain's Brigade of two  Cuirassier regiments forces a way through the reforming Seydelitz cavalry and past Deroy's Bavarian infantry to try to deploy in the open space of the water meadow

10th Legere attacks and tries to surround the weak defenders of the woodland breastwork. Rather then evade, the skirmishers stuck with the Erzherzog Karl Legionnaires and put up a resistance at least to delay the French advance a little

Behind them von Keyser has the 3rd, 7th and 56th Infantry regiments and means to put up a good fight. Hohenzollern, FML Lusignan and Charles are on hand to rally any failing units

And their help might be needed at the Bettelberg as the above and below photos give some insight by the red and orange markers.

From the top: Before it can fully recover von Keyser's foot battery has suffered incoming from Bavarian guns and is due to retreat again; Sachsen-Koburg's Hussars have an orange marker for 3 Hits sustained; the backup wing of 6th Cuirassiers is intact; Vukassovich's Wing of 3rd Hussars is back in the Eckmuhl valley trying to reform, but their Baden Dragoon opponents have also suffered 4 Hits

Here my excitement or tiredness must have got the better of me as I did not record the outcome of the Leib Chevaux Leger contest with Vukassovich's cavalry battery. They got in unscathed as the French Chasseurs took the brunt of canister fire and were repulsed. However, looking on to the Day Two photos  I note the battery has been destroyed and the Light Horse are free to look for other targets. This was where we had to end first day's action of our three scheduled. Game time was now 2.20 pm and we'd got a lot done in just two Moves.

Summing up the opening

We had revealed a great deal of figures but there were many more Austrian Blinds to cause vexation to the Allies. I think Steve and Paul could be content that they'd put up a good show and sold the Vorberg and Bettelberg at great cost in time and energy to the Allies. Ober Laichling and Eckmuhl were still holding out for now, and their left flank was effectively not bothered yet. 

For Richard and Tony things were going more or less to plan. They had to attack the high ground and had succeeded in making room for the mass of cavalry to press on past Eckmuhl. But since the watermeadow was no-go for the artillery that road through Eckmuhl would be essential to open up. Meanwhile it was causing a traffic jam back towards Lindach and Schierling. They expected to take casualties and had plentiful units among which to spread the pain. They'd also destroyed a few Austrian units, clocking up 6.5 Army Points to no Allied AP lost. Richard was understandably worried about what to do on the right flank though. The Austrian defence appeared to be stronger than expected and the French Divisions would have to channel their advances across the fords which would take time - good initiative dice and double moves would be needed. 

Thanks greatly to Steve Johnson for his company and spirited Austrophile attitude as he would not be able to join us on subsequent days. You can read Steve's own entertaining account of this day and many more photos on his blog 

 More Soon......