Friday Night Games: Annual Napoleonic Big Game - The Battle of Apsern-Essling (Week Two)

    Week two same the same commanders resume their positions as the Austrian attacks drew ever closer to the French lines. Tis represented Day Two of the battle, with some redressing of lines having been allowed 'overnight'. 

French occupying the urban area on their left flank

An early Austrian attack on the church and graveyard are soundly repelled by the defending French. THe Austrians loos three battalions destroyed in the attack and they then circumnavigate the area. Mike W's 1st Corps head left of the church whilst Warrens's Corps head right and push a flank march through marshy ground attempting to reach the French rear.

French defenders in their centre left, commanded by Dave

Austrians advancing on their left flank

French emplaced batteries on their right

French units under Nigel occupying urban area on the French right flank

French centre right

Austrian cavalry arrive on their centre left

Wider view of the Austrian attcking positions on Day Two

Austrian attacks in the centre have more success with the line of the dyke breached by a number of Austrian units - both Infantry and Cavalry, several French battalions are lost. However, the French Guards Divisions are coming onto the tabletop in their rear.

Austrian attacks in the centre start to put French under pressure

Austrian left of centre

Massed Austrian batteries, to the right of the line, pound the French lines.

The Frtench try to hold the line in the centre but are hampered by the need to defend against the Austrian flank march, only the French Guards seem to have the ability to puch back at the Austrians.

Another wider view of the attacks, in the right background can be seen a sweeping Austrian flank move, through marshy ground.

To compound the French problems in the centre Mark is able to deploy his Austrian Corps to deliver a massed attack on the French right wing. As WQeek Two closes, the game lies in the balnce.

End of Week Two and Austrian attacks go in on the French right flank.