Results 1 to 19 of 19

Thread: [TGW AAR] The Great North Italian War and French Involvment 1896/97

  1. #1
    gord96's Avatar Domesticus
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    2,495

    Default [TGW AAR] The Great North Italian War and French Involvment 1896/97

    The following AAR is played using Thoragoros' "The Great War" mod (Alpha Release). It bears zero historical accuracy. Well maybe a little. But not much.

    Introduction


    The winter of 1895 was the a bad one for the fractured Italian Republic. The Risorgimento that brought about the unification of Italy in 1861 was long forgotten. Old squabbles reemerged. Old rivals again were at each others throats. Financial woes, food shortages and corruption that had plagued the Republic for years finally came to a head. During that winter, five northern regions broke away from Rome and declared independence.

    The first was the old Republic of Venice. Then the Kingdom of Piedmont was reformed. The Republic of Lucca then came to be in early 1896 along with the Kingdom of Tuscany. Finally the Pope himself fled to his stronghold in Bologna where he planned to reclaim his old Papal provinces.

    The Italian government was paralyzed. Troops were sent to secure the south, but fears of widespread conflict lead them to do nothing in regards to taking the north back by force. Instead a plea was sent to France, an ally of Italy. It was asked that France send troops into northern Italy to help bring these rebel nations back under the control of the Italian government. France agreed, seeing an oppurtunity to perhaps increase their own holdings in Italy.

    The Austro-Hungarian Empire of course, was watching the events in Italy with great interest. They immediately offered the Kingdom of Piedmont a military alliance in exchange for a large portion of the kingdom's holdings. King Amadeus of Piedmont reluctantly agreed. By spring, the buildup of French forces in and around Nice had made him realize that Piedmont would be France's first target in their "intervention" on behalf of their Italian allies.

    As Austrian troops moved into northern Italy, France declared war on Piedmont and Austria. The other breakaway nations tried their best to stay neutral in hopes of staying out of the conflict long enough to gain strength. The stage was set......
    Last edited by gord96; April 12, 2010 at 11:38 PM.

  2. #2
    LuckyLewis's Avatar Loutre
    Content Emeritus

    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    United Kingdom
    Posts
    3,957

    Default Re: [TGW AAR] The Great North Italian War

    A very unique idea and nice introduction too!
    Muh signature is so out of date all muh pictures died.

  3. #3
    gord96's Avatar Domesticus
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    2,495

    Default Re: [TGW AAR] The Great North Italian War

    Quote Originally Posted by Luckylewis View Post
    A very unique idea and nice introduction too!
    Thank you!

  4. #4
    gord96's Avatar Domesticus
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    2,495

    Default Re: [TGW AAR] The Great North Italian War

    The French government in 1896 was still smarting from the defeats of the Franco-Prussian War. Although that war was blamed on Napoleon III and the second French Empire, the Third Republic of France had to deal with its aftershocks over thirty years later. Scandal had also recently plagued the government and military hierarchy. The leaders of the Republic were all to aware of the French people's taste for revolution, and one sure way to increase these tastes was to send more young French men off to war in another country. Especially a war that did not threaten France. To deal with this, the government passed the Republican Passive Conscription law in 1891 that allowed for limited conscription in France and its holdings. This law allowed the French military to conscript any man who owed something to the Republic. Basically, prisoners and people in great debt. The regiments formed from these men were called Republican Infantry regiments. Needless to say the quality of these troops was suspect at best.

    So when the time came to send troops to Nice, where the French task force into Italy was mustering, most regiments were Republican Infantry. A decent amount of well trained, regular and elite regiments were also sent to add backbone to the French troops. Rounding out the force was National Guardsman from Nice and the surrounding province. These guardsmen were little more then glorified militia.

    Leading the French task force was Marshal Jon Andre, a rough yet smart officer who was ruthless in his climb up the ranks. His command in Italy was what secured his rank as Marshal and he was determined to prove himself worthy. Andre had two generals under his command that would lead the troops in the field. General Louis Durant, an ancient old cavalryman that saw action way back in the Franco-Prussian War. Durant was offended that he now must take orders from his old pupil Andre. He was offended that Andre was a marshal, a rank Durant never did obtain. The old man knew this may be his last chance at some glory.

    The other commander was a young up and comer named Napoleon Dupont. The young general was of no relation to the famous Emperor, but that didn't matter to him. In his eyes it was destiny that brought him to Italy almost exactly 100 years after his name sake was here. He believed destiny was guiding him. Dupont was the youngest general in the French Army. A fact that he liked to share with every fellow officer and lady he met.



    French troops on the road to Nice

  5. #5
    LuckyLewis's Avatar Loutre
    Content Emeritus

    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    United Kingdom
    Posts
    3,957

    Default Re: [TGW AAR] The Great North Italian War and French Involvment 1896/97

    Nice Update again, sir!

    I really need to try out the World War One mod myself, can't wait until they add textures.
    Muh signature is so out of date all muh pictures died.

  6. #6
    gord96's Avatar Domesticus
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    2,495

    Default Re: [TGW AAR] The Great North Italian War and French Involvment 1896/97

    The French strategy in Italy was not to conquer each province and region, but to take out the legs of the break away nations and watch them crumble down. The two strongest legs were Piedmont and of course their Austro-Hungarian allies. Marshal Andre planned a quick strike against Piedmont. His idea was to capture Turin as soon as he could. With Piedmont's capital in French hands, King Amadeus would be forced to capitulate. The full weight of Andre's forces could then be brought to bear against the Austrian's. Once that was done, Andre believed the other nations would soon crumble without much effort and peace would be restored. Then the politicians could come and sort out the mess.

    On the morning of May 14th, 1896 Andre received word from his cavalry scouts that the Austrians were marching a small force of 1500 men into Liguria. The assumption was that Piedmont needed the Austrian's to help protect Genoa. Andre saw his chance to draw first blood against the enemy. He quickly ordered General Dupont to intercept the Austrian's as they passed through Liguria's northern hills. Dupont and his 2nd Italian Army were camped well inside Liguria as they had planned to attack and destroy Piedmont's supply post in Savona. The young Napoleon immediatly marched with his 2000 infantry, 200 horses and 20 guns to intercept.

    In the morning dusk on May 17th, General Dupont attacked the Austro-Hungarian force as it crossed a row of hills 30 kilometers northwest of Savona. The Austrian's had some warning the night before that the French were near so they were ready. However, the Austrian force did not have any type of artillery with it as it was an advance force sent to secure Savona and Genoa and wait for reinforcement.

    Dupont had his guns setup behind a small hill and had spotters call down adjustments. Shells exploded all around the Austrians as they tried to close on the French forces. Hussars tried to outflank Napoleons men but a regiment of grenadiers held them off. The breach loading rifles of the day were quickly making cavalry a thing of the past. The wood's on the front side of the hill provided little protection for the Austrians as they charged down. Explosives shells added bark and wood from the dry trees to their deadly shrapnel cocktail. The Austrian force was in disarray. The shelling had almost broken them, but instead of retreating, they came forward. French rifles opened up as they left the woods. A few of the Austrian soldiers managed to return fire, but most were now fleeing back up the hill. The artillery gave them no reprieve.

    Napoleon ordered his men to advance up the slope. He was exuberant. That morning he had worried how his men would hold up. Most of his force was national guard and republican infantry. Although, he did have two regiments of regular infantry and two regiments of elite French grenadiers to bolster his force. The Austrian force was made up of well trained fusiliers. All that training was for naught though as the French had brought artillery. And artillery was quickly proving itself to be the new king of warfare.

    By nightfall the Austro-Hungarian force was completely routed. French dragoons captured over 100 prisoners that would be sent back to Nice for interrogation. The losses taken by the Austrians were horrific. Over 85% of their force was dead or wounded. The woods that they advanced through was a smoldering wasteland littered with bodies and craters from the explosive shells. Marshal Andre was overjoyed when he heard of the victory and cabled a message to Napoleon to prepare to march north into Piedmont controlled province of Cuneo. Andre saw a chance to exploit Napoleon's success and needed to act quickly.


    French troops fire at advancing Austrian fusiliers

    Last edited by gord96; April 15, 2010 at 02:16 PM.

  7. #7
    LuckyLewis's Avatar Loutre
    Content Emeritus

    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    United Kingdom
    Posts
    3,957

    Default Re: [TGW AAR] The Great North Italian War and French Involvment 1896/97

    Great update, Gord! I can just imagine how deadly that artillery must have been, especially with the Great War mod.
    Muh signature is so out of date all muh pictures died.

  8. #8
    gord96's Avatar Domesticus
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    2,495

    Default Re: [TGW AAR] The Great North Italian War and French Involvment 1896/97

    thanks Lewis. I really enjoy your AAR as well!

  9. #9
    Inevitability won
    Patrician Citizen

    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Posts
    9,594

    Default Re: [TGW AAR] The Great North Italian War and French Involvment 1896/97

    Nice one mate!

    Liking it.

  10. #10
    gord96's Avatar Domesticus
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    2,495

    Default Re: [TGW AAR] The Great North Italian War and French Involvment 1896/97

    Piedmont had about 2000 men defending Cuneo that were garrisoned in the city itself. Upon receiving word that Austria was sending troops to help defend Liguria, the king ordered his general's to take a more "aggressive defensive posture" in the defense of the city. King Amadeus seemed to fancy himself some sort of military strategist even though is military experience was almost nil. The provincial commander moved up the garrison, made up mostly of regular infantry and some cavalry to within 100 km of Nice.

    Marshal Andre could not believe his luck when reports were cable down from his observation balloons that Piedmont troops were advancing towards Nice. Cuneo was completely undefended to the east. The city of Cuneo itself now was empty of a garrison except for poorly train militia. The only explanation is that word of the Austrians defeat had not reached Turin yet. The truth was word had reached Cuneo early on the morning of May 19th. The 'by the book' provincial commander decided he would continue with his first orders to "aggressivly defend" the province unless told otherwise. The news was cabled to Turin and no reply was recieved until the evening of May 21st, and by then it was too late.


    French balloon spies Italian troops movements

    Andre has postioned the wily old General Durant in the wooded grasslands on the approaches to Nice. As the Piedmont troops received orders to halt and return to Cuneo on the morning of May22nd, Durant attacked. Durant had 1500 infantry, 200 cavalry and 10 guns. Piedmont had 2000 infantry 600 cavalry and 6 small field guns. The French however had the advantage. The Italian troops were preparing to return to Cuneo when the first shells slammed into their positions. For twenty minutes the French guns lobbed high explosive into panicked men who were trying to organize themselves. The Piedmont commander ordered 400 horsemen to attack the French positions and "silence those damn things". Durant saw the cavalry approach and ordered his guns to continue firing on the Italian infantry. As the horses came into rifle ranged they were welcomed with a weathering gust of bullets that killed man and beast alike.

    "Charge!!" the officers yelled and bugals sounded, but to no avail. By the time the 'charge' reached the French positions only 20 horsemen were still mounted. They fled in shock.

    Durant ordered the general advance under the cover of artillery. By now the Italian's had taken up a defensive position. Rifles sounded and French troops fell. Explosives shells crashed into the French formations now as the small field guns began to fire. The French kept up their advance. Durant's artillery barrage was beginning to take its toll as Italian troops began to fall back and rout from their positions. A regiment of French revoltionary concripts broke as shells tore them apart. The French were waivering. During this time Durant himself mounted a horse and galloped down from his observation post on a hill. He rode towards his men yelling and screaming for them to return fire. They did and the Italians broke. The French cavlary chased off the routed men, but gave up chased as a crudley formed rear guard was able to put up an effective defensive fire.

    At the end of the morning the Italians had suffered over 1600 casualties and over 350 dead or wounded cavalry. The French lost about 700 men. Durant himself was said to have been shaken upon hearing about the casualties his men had suffered.

    "These damn weapons today. My God do they kill well. If they would kill any worse then surely no longer would anyone want to fight...."

    The words of Durant rang true. The weapons of 1896 were starting to far outpace the tactics of the day. Unfortuanly the lessons would not be fully learned until over twenty years later.....


    French troops among the Italian dead following the battle north of Nice

  11. #11
    Nanny de Bodemloze's Avatar Treason is just dates
    Artifex

    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    2,753

    Default Re: [TGW AAR] The Great North Italian War and French Involvment 1896/97

    very good stuff Gord...my god, those pics are haunting...you are taking us into a new world here good job!

  12. #12
    LuckyLewis's Avatar Loutre
    Content Emeritus

    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    United Kingdom
    Posts
    3,957

    Default Re: [TGW AAR] The Great North Italian War and French Involvment 1896/97

    Indeed, these images really go well with your AAR. It's always nice to put a picture to a story (or a video in Nanny's case, haha). Good show yet again!
    Muh signature is so out of date all muh pictures died.

  13. #13
    gord96's Avatar Domesticus
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    2,495

    Default Re: [TGW AAR] The Great North Italian War and French Involvment 1896/97

    thanks guys. glad you enjoy!

  14. #14

    Default Re: [TGW AAR] The Great North Italian War and French Involvment 1896/97

    Nice stuff you got there!I'll be folowing
    _______________________________________________
    TIP:TRY TO GIVE SCREENS FROM THE ACTUAL GAME

  15. #15
    gord96's Avatar Domesticus
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    2,495

    Default Re: [TGW AAR] The Great North Italian War and French Involvment 1896/97

    thanks!! appreciate it.

    Quote Originally Posted by wizzflowpt View Post
    Nice stuff you got there!I'll be folowing
    _______________________________________________
    TIP:TRY TO GIVE SCREENS FROM THE ACTUAL GAME
    bah. i just like to write. if i had to be bothered with capturing screenshits, then editing and cropping them (cause i dont like seeing the UI in screens with an AAR) then I wouldnt be writing an AAR

  16. #16

    Default Re: [TGW AAR] The Great North Italian War and French Involvment 1896/97

    With pictures or not i will be folowing!

  17. #17
    Petrov's Avatar Campidoctor
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    1,919

    Default Re: [TGW AAR] The Great North Italian War and French Involvment 1896/97

    Your kidding me, You are ing kidding me right? This is the Second Bloody time someone has bet me to something, first the Howitzer a' Cheval, Then this! OMG I WAS ALREADY HALF WAY DONE ON WORD!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARG!

    Well, Oh well, LoL have some rep, Now i need to Do another Country?! Maybe Belgium, OR the Serbians, Both Great Categories! perhaps the Serbian Fight for Independance and there inevitable End... (NO ONE COPY ME!!!!!)

  18. #18
    Petrov's Avatar Campidoctor
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    1,919

    Default Re: [TGW AAR] The Great North Italian War and French Involvment 1896/97

    Anyway Great Story, Nothing more fun than being Italy using thoragoses WWI mod, you are using that right?

  19. #19
    gord96's Avatar Domesticus
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    2,495

    Default Re: [TGW AAR] The Great North Italian War and French Involvment 1896/97

    yup. using Thor's Great War alpha while playing the Italian campaign. I just changed some generals names and date of the campaign.

    thanks for the comments!

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •