Monte Grande 1859

[Hertsblue]

Of all the late nineteenth century wars the Franco-Austrian War of 1859 was possibly the most evenly matched, man for man. The French MLR's (those they had) didn't give them a huge advantage and they probably won eventually by a combination of superior morale and less faulty generalship.

So, here's a few pics of a corps-sized action that took place at a small Italian town you'll be hard-put to find on any map.

www.photobucket.com/wargames

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

So, here's a few pics of a corps-sized action that took place at a small Italian town you'll be hard-put to find on any map.

 

Where ?

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

So, here's a few pics of a corps-sized action that took place at a small Italian town you'll be hard-put to find on any map.

www.photobucket.com/wargames

Here it is:
http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?q=monte+grande&mkt=en-GB&FORM=BYFD#JnE9Lm1vbnRlJTJiZ3JhbmRlJTJiaXRhbHklN2Vzc3QuMCU3ZXBnLjEmYmI9LTM0LjY3ODkwMTYwNzA1NDUlN2UtNTguMTQxNTEzOTEzODY5OSU3ZS0zNC45NTExODUzNTIxNzUlN2UtNTguNzc3MzQ3NjU0MTA0Mg==

[Hertsblue]

Slight technical hitch sorting out URLs. This link above will get you into the site. I didn't bargain for anyone actually being on the case that soon!

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Lovely battle photos, love it all.
The Austrians really look the part and the massed cavalry are really awe inspiring. The terrain looks good too. But those Zoaves! WOW! Ohhh I've got to get round to 1st Corps for 1870 (after I finish French VI, Prussian IX & Guard and the French Gaurd - nah they didn't do anything!

Now, is it the Monte grande is SE of Bologna west of Ravenna, or East of Turin in Piedemont, or SW of Genoa in the Savoy...?
Nice place, if you can find it!
Especially since it means 'Big hill!'  
Monte Grande was also a fight in May 1944 between 1st Fallschmjager and the Welsh Gaurds after the "Senger Line" was breached...

Of course, it could be a varient of Monte Bello, one of the more evenly matched 1859 battles...   

[Hertsblue]

Now, is it the Monte grande is SE of Bologna west of Ravenna, or East of Turin in Piedemont, or SW of Genoa in the Savoy...?
Nice place, if you can find it!
Especially since it means 'Big hill!'  

Actually, I thought I'd made the name up - just goes to show. The two corps present are MacMahon's II and Stadion's V. Did they they ever meet - your guess is as good as mine.

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Let me see:
Staidon: Only Brigade Hess fought at Magenta, but fought at Solferino.
MacMahon: Magenta & Solferino,
So, yes, they did!
Gotta love Osprey 'Solferino 1859'

[nikharwood]

Nice pics there Hb 

[Blaker]

Cool photos Hertsblue, the game rules you used were they Bruce Weigle's 1859?  Or another set? 

[Hertsblue]

Cool photos Hertsblue, the game rules you used were they Bruce Weigle's 1859?  Or another set? 

No, actually they're my own Voice of the Guns. Download them from my website if you're interested.

[Leman]

Another belting looking game. Liked the idea of getting the Foreign Legion involved. I am looking at them for the winter campaign of 70-71.
DP   Incidentally I found the pics on the first link.

[Hertsblue]

Liked the idea of getting the Foreign Legion involved.

The two Foreign Legion regiments were genuinely part of MacMahon's II Corps in 1859. The 1st Regiment was all Swiss, whereas the 2nd was multinational. The other slightly strange feature was that each battalion fielded two voltigeur companies instead of the usual one.