Napoleonic Wargame Club (NWC)

April 16th, 1809

11:30 hrs: His Highness EH Karl arrives with his retinue at Traunitz Castle.
He heard FML Schustekh's report and expresses his deep dissatisfaction on the slow process of bridge repairing works.

11:45 hrs: His Highness leaves the castle for inspection of the situation and affairs in Landshut.

12:00 hrs: In that town where there yet remain some voltigeurs peering across the waters of the Isar, they could see the approach of a bespangled cavalcade of officers.
With sudden inspiration, the sergeant-major brought up the white & sky-blue flag of Bavaria and waved it aloft defiantly, to much loud cheers from the men.

Moments later, near the paper mill located outside of Landshut, His Highness and staff arrive at the bridge there, which state of repair was ready for infantry to move across.
Karl himself gives the order for GM Kubinyi's Brigade to begin the crossing.
Oberst von Banffy's Grenzers have the privilege of stepping on the enemy's bank first of all.
Got mitt uns!

Regards,

April 16th, 1809
12:30 hrs: During a heated exchange of musketry as the Austrian light units opposite the defended river walls of Landshut try to pepper the Bavarian flag that taunts them, the wild and unrestrained Slavonian Grenzers of the 8th "Gradiska" Regt get routed, and leave their positions along the river bank, hereafter to dash through the town streets to plunder and commit other heinous crimes.

GM Radezki and Oberst von Klebelsberg attempt desperately to stop the trouble.

At the very same time, GM von Kubinyi with the Grenz Regt "Brod" have occupied without any opposition Kloster Seligenthal (the left bank suburb of Landshut) with it's vital military objective point!

Now the stubborn Bavarian garrison is isolated, and their surrender is just a matter of time.
Hoch! Hoch! Hurraa! Got mitt uns!

Regards,

Sir <salute>, a most excellent description of the events - I feel as though I am with the Bavarian command at Landshut

April 16th, 1809 12:45 hrs:
His Highness EH Karl commands FML von Schustekh to take some of his Cav. and regain the rights in Landashut, to bring out instigators, capture deserters and commit them to a court-marshal. But only the timely coming of Comm.Corps EH Ludwig with some elite troops actually stave off worse consequences of the incident. Oberst von Steininger, EH Karl IR: "My good German soldiers looked with the astonishment and aversion at what perpetrated around them. I saw Oberst von Klebelsberg himself beat his men with a sword like a mad, his officers and corporals caught them by the scruff of the neck and drew them out of houses. What happened with the good and old Habsburg's Army?! Where is our lauded discipline?! Did we lose it in fields around Ulm? I can just imagine what will tell about this the newspapers in Munich and Paris!... I have a premonition of the multi-noosing of those hungry, barbaric sons-of a bitch that had the unhappiness to soldier too long on the wild Turkish border ... "
His Highness has commanded to move the 8th Grenzer Reg. out of Landshut and forbade them to bivouac in any localities thenceforth.

April 16th, 1809 13:15 hrs:
The Landshut area. The West Bridge is ready completely. FML Freiher von Shustekh leads his Division across Izar onto the left bank.
Oberst von Grosswald has earned His Highness' acknowledgement for his leadership of the 5th Corps engineer troops on the bridge repairing works.
The Moosberg area. Troops of the Grenz Regiment #5 "Warazdiner-Creuz", approaching to a vital bridge across the Izar's tributary, spotted unexpectedly on the far river bank some Bavarian cavalry that purposed to damage the bridge. The brave Croatian soldiers attacked enemy without any hesitation.

Fur Gott und Vaterland! Nach Munchen!

GdI Furst Repnin von Yahotyn

_________________
General-Feldmarshal Prince Vladimir N. Repnin
Imperial Russian Corps Commander
Prince Braine-Le Comte & The Adjutant-General of His Imperial Majesty
Chevalier Guards Regiment

April 16th, 1809
13:45 hrs:
Moosburg area. Brave Grenzers of the 5th Regiment saved for Army a vital bridge! The way into Bavaria is open! Hoch! Hoch! Hurraaa!
Landshut area. Main body of the 5th Corps is coming down the Izar valley. Mounts, multiple streams and defiles in woods retard the march rate of troops considerably. Meantime, an advance guard of the 4th Corps that crossed the Izar yesterday at Dingolfing is entering the valley from the east.

Hoch Der Kaiser Franz!
GdI Furst Repnin von Yahotyn.

...It's just the tramp of thousands legs and hoofs, creak of wheels and neigh of horses...

April 16th, 1809
15:15 hrs: Landshut area. A lone squadron northeast of Landshut observes the long columns of Austrian forces moving north from that town along the pike.
In that town, the Bavarian Light Btn. continue to defend successfully the bridges to either side. The braves!

His Highness EH Karl is in nerves: "It is late afternoon already but we have no any piece of news from Moosburg still. Baron Hiller shows me his independence as usual. Why have I to endure pranks of this Galician parvenu?!..."

GdI Furst Repnin von Yahotyn.

P.S. It is interesting: is Marshal Berthier in nerves too? He has a lot of matters for this.

15:30 hrs: It is late afternoon, and the day is fast slipping away towards the looming shadows of night.
The tramp of boots and hooves, and creaking of wheels carries far upon the breeze.
So much activity, so much to do and to decide.

April 16th, 1809
16:00 hrs: The post-chaise of L'Empereur of France was speeding along the major pike, reaching Strasbourg on this day.
Here he has learned that GHQ under Chief d'Etat General Berthier has moved to Donauworth, from where that Marechal can better direct operations at the front.
Pausing only long enough to change horse teams, the Imperial entourage was soon upon it's way, racing towards the crisis point upon the Danube.

16:15 hrs: "Here we go again," a veteran of La Grande Armee was heard to grumble. "L'Empereur makes war with our feet!"
"As it was at Ulm and on the long march to Austerlitz," added another.

Regards,
Tirailleurs et Dragons!


16:45 hrs: Their Highness EH Karl and EH Ludwig returned to the Trausnitz Castle - that old, palatial residence of the Wittelsbachs - Bavarian royal dynasty, and have dinner with the Army and 5th Corps Staff officers in the famous White Hall - a throne hall of the ancient Bavarian Dukes.
A toast:
Hoch Der Kaiser und Konig Frantz! Hochachtungsvoll!
Osterreich uber all ist!
Gott mit uns!

GdI Furst Repnin von Yahotyn.
2nd Grenadier Division

17:00 hrs: At his HQ, Marechal Davout studies the map and upon it the dispositions of his Corps.
Everywhere is activity.
Everywhere are the rumors of the Austrians advancing.
17:15 hrs: As he studies his maps of the Bavarian countryside, Marechal Davout ponders what might the situation be that Marechal Lefebvre is facing in the south?
Are the Austrians in control of Landshut?
How far have they advanced along the pikes and roads north of that town and from Moosburg?
And how long yet til L'Empereur will arrive from France to take control of L'Armee d'Allemagne?

Tirailleurs et Dragons!


Landshut area. 17:15 hrs:
GM Radetski urges eagerly on his Lancers. The order of FML Schustekh is strict and clear: advance-guard of his 3rd Division must take Weihmichl until night. It's getting dark already. Visibility is less than 1.5 miles. What lies ahead? Ambush? Those damn Bavarians in Landshut spoiled us with all the Mass!

GdI Furst Repnin von Yahotyn
2nd Grenadier Division


17:30 hrs: By the light of a large lamp hung at the rear of his coach, Napoleon marked up the large map upon his special folding table, as his post chaise and the column of cavalry guards sped along the darkening roads leading to Donauworth.
L'Empereur wondered at what he would find upon reaching the GHQ of L' Armee d'Allemagne, and whether or not his trusted Marechals Davout and Lefebvre will have followed his instructions for the deployments of the armee in the face of the Austrian invasion of Bavaria.

Tirailleurs et Dragons!

April 16th, 1809
18:00 hrs: The staff officer from one of the Corps' Divisions, hails his close friend from the Heavy Cavalry Division; he had hardly expected to find him here on the road way, as dusk deepens towards nightfall.

They quickly reminisce about the last time they saw each other in the Paris brothel and have a laugh at how they each contested the right for the voluptuous redhead.

So, the officer asks his friend as he savors the unexpected pleasure of the fine French merlot - was that lady worth the price you finally out bid me for...?

The cavalry officer explains - it was not the money my friend but the prestige of being with one of L'Empereur's long haired handsome warriors from the famous Heavy horse!

And the laughter of the two can be heard down the pike in all directions.

It is good to enjoy a bit of friendship in these hours of uncertainty as the opposing armies maneuver for best position before the great battles are to commence.

Regards,

Nice!!!

April 16th, 1809
18:00 hrs: All along the road ways criss-crossing the mountains and defiles of the Bavarian countryside, the long columns of marching men, horses, and guns begin to halt at the nearest villages, or simply pitching camps by the roadside.

The men prepare food, the horses are seen to by the men who count upon them, as the breath of life itself.
And officers conduct their muster tallies to see how many soldiers may have fallen out along the march.

The commanders having established themselves in the finest homes they can find (of course not everyone is able to make their HQ in a castle such as Traunitz), roll out their maps, and plot the activities for the coming day(s).

And even now the couriers are hurrying along the roads, bringing vital information from subordinate formations to the higher organizations.

18:15 hrs: Cauldrons are filled with soup, and the supply wagons break out the bread rations. Bottles of thinned wine are served to quench the thirst of the hard marching men. The normal practice of living off the countryside is suspended with the onset of hostilities, in order that the fantassins will have the fortitude to face the test of martial strength that lies ahead.

Tirailleurs et Dragons!



18:15 hrs: Night found EH Ludwig and his entourage on the road.
They had to spend the night in the house of the miller. After the luxury Trausnitz Castle apartments, it was terrible night to the accompaniment of falling water and mouse squeaks. Thank God though it is clear and dry.
Countless bonfires throughout vast stretches light up the deepening rapidly twilight.
Battalions, batteries and squadrons are bivouacking everywhere: some just near roads in the fields, some in the woods, some are very lucky in the homes of few villages, towns and dirty roadside inns.
Quartermasters are arranging men with torches along the roads to collect stragglers.
Regimental wagons wanted their units - it is their grave responsibility and a nightmare - that is why unhappy "der Fuhrwesen" drivers so desperately curse the Bavarian mountains and approaching night. But it can not be said about the entrepreneurial and nimble sutlers. Now is their time!

GdI Furst Repnin von Yahotyn

_________________
General-Feldmarshal Prince Vladimir N. Repnin
Imperial Russian Corps Commander
Prince Braine-Le Comte & The Adjutant-General of His Imperial Majesty
Chevalier Guards Regiment

April 16th, 1809
18:00 - Somewhere in Bavaria
2nd Div's Staff Officer wanted to report to Marechal Lefebvre as he was given an order from Gen. v. Wrede, but VII Corps Commander has ordered him to return to VII C HQ and there he is going to listen the report. As Staff Officer was trying to suggest readiness to march by 2nd Div, but Marechal has looked at him carefully and asked:
-" Tell me, young man"- as he always speak to someone who looks not too experienced for him, no matter how old such person is. - " In how many campaigns have you fought?"
- " Sire, this my first time, but I was participating in many wargames on the maps"- reply officer and looked around hoping to see any support from the others present.
Old Marshal shook his head - " So I thought, my son, so listen to the old soldier, give people a rest, because tomorrow may be a very long day."- Then he went on horseback and with him a group of officers whispering among themselves, as if they did not want to disturb his commander in thought.

April 16th, 1809
18:30 hrs: The fantassins are eating, or cleaning the dust from a day's hard marching from their weapons.
Sentries are posted, fires illuminate the camping places, to light the way for the last columns that are approaching.
Command staffs are busy with planning for the next day's actions.

Tirailleurs et Dragons!

18:45 hrs: The sounds of encampment echo through the dusk hours of the evening.
Men talk and laugh with one another, finishing their much appreciated meals.

Officers exchange pleasantries with each other, marveling at the dramatic turn of events this day.
The Austrians have invaded, the Corps have been marching, and couriers carry the news from HQ to HQ.

A night of rest lay ahead, and upon the morrow... the marching will begin again.

Tirailleurs et Dragons!

19:00 hrs. Trausnitz Caste, The White Hall.

After a brief dinner, His Highness EH Karl has the Army Staff war-council.
- Gentlemen, let me to summarize the result of today's events. On this evening, the initiative lay with us.
We could content ourselves with the fact that a difficult operation, a river assault, had come off without a hitch.
Yet our position offers something much more. Our enemy's army lay scattered across a very wide front with their famous Marchall Davout Corps dangerously exposed around Ratisbonne. We have only a tenuous cordon of Bavarian troops in front of us.
We occupied a central position where we could turn and attack either the enemy left or right. Alternatively, we could push against the weak center and interpose our army between the two their wings, then pounce on one before turning to defeat the other. We may not let ourselves to fail to capitalize on this golden opportunity. So, gentlemen, I am uniting the army corps tomorrow in a position beyond Landshut, and ask you to prepare and distribute to all corps command the due orders. Thank you and good night.

GdI Furst Repnin von Yahotyn.
2nd Grenadier Div.



19:00 hrs: Slowly but surely the activities of this day will come to their finish.
A much needed rest before the resumption of operations.

Tirailleurs et Dragons!


19:30 hrs: Captain Toure was most excited to find himself invited to the dinner being served this evening at the headquarters for le Marechal, Duc de Danzig.
He had not had such a fine meal since, well since having left Paris.
He could almost forget that at this very hour not many leagues distant an enemy army was encamped, preparing to start hunting this very Corps, and destroy it if possible on the morrow.
This thought brought the Captain back to the harsh reality, and when dessert was offered he declined, settling for more coffee.
Now Toure's mind turned to the council of war that Marechal Lefebvre had called for after dinner, where much would be discussed, particularly of what he himself had to say concerning these grave matters.

Regards,
Tirailleurs et Dragons!