Battle of Pieve del Cairo, March 1859 (Week 4)

The early morning sun broke over the horizon and shone brightly on the town of Pieve del Cairo and the glittering steel of bayonets and canons.  The Italian Commander Mollard again faced the Austrian Commander Benedek.  Mollard followed up and closed with Benedek after a few days marching to engage the Austrian commander in battle.  Their last meeting went well for the Italians and Mollard had high hopes for another victory.

Both armies arranged themselves before battle.

The Austrian Commander Benedek (aka James) looks over his deployment and secretly wishes he had retreated farther.

The calculating Italian Commander Mollard (aka Garland) is never happy with his deployment but will the best he can.

The Austrians gain the initiative early and moved forward under their effective artillery fire.

The battle began on the Austrian left and the Austrian light troops took heavy casualties from very effective Italian rifle fire. 

The Italian Bersaglieri pushed forward in the center in attempt to engage the Austrian Cavalry. 

View from the Austrian center at the Italians.

The Austrians deploy in the town and wait for the Italians.

The Austrians crest the hill and take devastating fire from the Italians and their artillery. 

The view from the Italian right at the Austrians moving forward.

Looking down the Austrian line after the unit commander was killed and all of the units went out of command, halting the advance on the Austrian left.

The Italians follow up on the wavering Austrians and push forward.

The Bersaglieri in the center take heavy casualties.

The second in command for the Austrian left asserts command and halts the Italian advance.

A bloody melee ensues in the middle of the battle field.

The result being the Italians holding the tree line and destroying two Austrian units.  The Austrian morale chip count has shrunk dangerously low.

The Italians pour on the fire at the retreating Austrians after fail a tactical morale challenge.

The last Austrian hold out, the town on the Austrian right.  Accurate and deadly fire from the Italians routed the Austrians.

The crushing Italian victory filled the newspapers and taverns up and down the Italian countryside and the Italian ranks swelled with new volunteers.  

The after battle talk between myself and the two commanders, I had to ask the James why he attacked.  Since being on the defensive, one would think that an army would stay in place and wait for the enemy.  His response was he wanted to be bold and take the fight to the enemy.  He agreed that it was a mistake and his campaign has taken a hard hit because of it.

Remembering 1 of the 2,996

I, like many, lost friends and/or loved ones on Sept. 11, 2001.  While it has been 11 years since that day we are still living in it's shadow.  I came across this website today from a friend on Facebook Project 2996
I clicked on it and was humbled by the immense project this blog is trying to accomplish and I've decided to add to the project.


Here is the tribute I am adding for Vanessa Langer, age 29.

Vanessa Langer lived in Yonkers, NY born 1971 and worked as an Office Manager at Regus on the 93rd Floor.  She was married and expecting their first child.

From Donna Marsh O'Connor:
I still miss everything about you, everything I tried to control, with every fiber of my being. I so want to hold you, V, and have you back. You are still so loved.

Mommy*** Posted by Donna Marsh O'Connor on 2008-06-19 

Vanessa worked for a temp agency and was placed at the Regus Business Center...

On this fifth anniversary on Vanessa's death I felt the need to "find" her again. I own the staffing agency that placed Vanessa in the job at the World Trade Center. I will always feel partially responsible for Vanessa being in that place at that time. I had the honor of meeting Vanessa back in March of 2000. She was a vibrant, bright light who impressed me immediately. Regus Business Centers was a good client and I believed Vanessa would truly be an asset to them. I spoke with her just before 9/11 and wished her well knowing little that would be the last time. I am so truly saddened by this loss. I will never forget Vanessa for as long as I live. May she rest in peace and may her family find some comfort in knowing what a wonderful person Vanessa was.

*** Posted by Bill Bernstein on 2006-09-12 ***

Vanessa was a loving wife....

Vanessa, I didn't know you very well, but through Timmy I saw you as a lifesaver, loving wife and caring person. We will always remember you, Timmy and your baby in our prayers. I know you are all together and happy now.

*** Posted by Carol on 2009-09-12 ***

This is Vanessa's Obituary.

Tim Langer was hesitant about the baby his wife, Vanessa, wanted so badly. He gave her a golden retriever and a cat. But Vanessa, who adored her two younger brothers, James and Jackson, knew she was right. Shortly after their first anniversary, she was pregnant. By then, Tim was pleased, too. "As time went on I was so in love," he said. "It felt like we should have a family."

Vanessa Langer, 29, an office manager at a trade center company, usually set the agenda. She was "fast and furious," said Mr. Langer. She did not walk — she darted. She competed fiercely at computer games and the family football pool and screamed when the Yankees or Giants scored. "Oh goodness," Mr. Langer said, and laughed. Before Vanessa, he used cruder expressions. She got him to stop that. Four months pregnant, she was having "the easiest time of her life," he said.

"She gave me a book," he said. " 'How to Pamper Your Pregnant Wife.' At night I had to go out and get Fig Newtons and Stella D'oros for her." 

Profile published in THE NEW YORK TIMES on October 1, 2001.

Vanessa was a compassionate person....

I had the opportunity to watch my first memorial reading of the names this morning. Although I could not watch the entire ceremony, my memory of Vanessa was stimulated by the ceremony. I hired Vanessa as my assistant in 1997. A month after I hired her, we had a tragedy in our family. Her unconditional compassion came through immediately as she did everything she could think of to help console my wife (a woman she only met once) We only worked together for 18 months or so but in that short time, she left an impression on me that carries through to this day. She was truly a wonderful person. God Bless Vanessa.

*** Posted by Anthony Langella on 2008-09-11 ***

She liked to have fun...

March 11, 2002

Vanessa..
I seems like yesterday that you and Timmy met... seems like yeaterday.. that Eileen, Timmy you and I would go out for beers in Yonkers or in Congers after work... you are one of the sweetest and most alive souls I've had the honor to meet... alas.. we had not seen each other for about 8 months before.. at it was not until a week after that I found out... my heart.. my prayers.. my thoughts.. and my eternal thanks for the grace that you brought this world... for the peace that you brought your husband... for the way that you influenced life... all my love... all my breath.. all my faith.. love eternal..
Sean

~ 

Sean Stockmeyer,

Nyack, New York

She was funny, gorgeous and smart....

I knew Vanessa when she was about nineteen. She was gorgeous, smart, and very funny. I have only just discovered that she is no longer on earth, and I am very sad for her mother, who was a warm friend who welcomed me into her home when I was new to Syracuse. My heart aches for you, Donna.

*** Posted by Kate S-E on 2008-06-29

She had rabbits, went to the senior ball and.....

I remember the Yankees game, your senior ball, the trip to Missouri, Walt Disney World, the chicken pox, the Buffalo Bills game, the rabbits, your smile, beautiful eyes and your kindness.

*** Posted by D COUCH on 2005-08-15 ***

This last post is the most heart wrenching of all.....

her husband timmy loved her with every inch of his soul...
he could not imagine life on earth with out her...
he has since passed.. could not live life with out her..
We know in our hearts they are together looking down with their child..
God bless two beautiful kind people who deserved more time on this earth togethter...

*** Posted by friends of timmy on 2005-09-06 ***

While this doesn't even come close to giving you the whole life of Vanessa Langer or even do it justice, I hope in someway that it gives a little testimony to a loving 29 year old woman who was planning a future as a mother and wife.  May she rest in peace.

When is terrain too much terrain?

I love a wargaming table that is well designed and surrounds you in the period of the game you are playing.  One persons table top that I admire is Bruce Weigle of 1870 fame.  His terrain boards are fantastic to look at and I would love some day to actually play a game on them.

You can see more of these terrain boards here: Bruce's Nice Terrain

When I saw this site I sent the url to my gaming buddies.  One of them came back with the question of how functional the boards are while actually gaming on them.  This started a little debate with him.  He claimed that, for example that the forest areas were to dense and unusable.  My counter to this was that maybe the woods are unusable and that it would depend on the army that you are gaming with that would dictate how you would use the woods.
We left it that we would agree to disagree but now I'm curious what others think about this.  So at what point is there too much terrain on the table?

Follow the Leader. 20 Questions

Okay, I know a bunch of people are doing this because of The Angry Lurker and why would I be any different and not do it too.  So here are my 20 Questions answered.

1. Favorite Wargaming Period and why?
This is tough because I have several that I really enjoy that I could list but in the spirit of the question I will pick The American Revolution.  I find watching the growth of the rebels into an army from a group of disorganized rabble a fascinating journey.  Each year the battles provide so much color, excellence and heartache that I can't turn away.

2. Next period, money no object?
WWI Turkish army vs. British and Russians.

3. Favorite 5 Films?
In no particular order:
1. The Princess Bride
2. Any Abbot and Costello Movie
3. Any Marx Brothers Movie
4. Casablanca
5. Once Upon a Time in the West

4. Favorite 5 TV shows?
1. Columbo
2. Big Bang Theory
3. MASH
4. Frasier
5. Cheers

5. Favorite book and author?
This one is very tough because I enjoy reading so many different styles of books.
On Her Majesty's Secret Service by Ian Flemming

6. Greatest General? Can't count yourself.
George Washington.  Refer back to my first answer.  This man had so much going against him and even though his win/loss record wasn't very good, he did a hell of job holding it all together.

7. Favorite Wargames rules?
Piquet and it's supplements Band of Brothers, Cartouche and Barrage!.

8, Favorite Sports Team?
New York Yankees

9. If you had a only use once, time machine, when and where would you go?
Saratoga 1777

10. Last meal on Death Row?
My grandma Josephine's Christmas dinner.

11. Fantasy relationship and why?
Sandra Bullock. Do you really need to ask why?

12. If your life were a movie, who would play you?
John Cleese

13. Favorite comic superhero?
The Hulk

14. Favorite Military Quote?
NUTS!

15. Historical Destination to visit?
All of Italy!

16. Biggest Wargaming regret?
Selling my first AWI army.

17. Favorite Fantasy job?
A director of a movie with my favorite actors.

18. Favorite Song, Top 5?
1. Any thing by the Beatles
2. White Room by Cream
3. Run to the Hills by Iron Maiden
4. Highway Star by Deep Purple
5. Standing on a Corner by Dean Martin

19. Favorite Wargaming Moment?
Playing in a 1960s era scenario with the British vs Iraq. For the most part it was a naval battle and I had three british tanks positioned on a spit of land overlooking a strait.  I decided to shot my tank at a on coming PT style boat the Iraqi player had.  With one shot I destroyed the PT boat with a direct hit from my tank.

20. The miserable Git question, what upsets you?
Dishonesty, liars and general trouble makers.

The Battle of Sale, 1859

Our third battle from our campaign happened this past Saturday.  The forces were pretty even strength wise for this one, unlike the first two battles where the Italians had been out numbered.  Let me introduce the generals for this campaign.
The Austrian Commander Benedek aka James plotting his opening moves.

 The Italian Commander Mollard, a manic depressive who drove his subordinate commander nuts, aka Garland.

The Italian Sub-Command Danti, wondering how he got roped into this battle, aka Shawn.

The two combatants blundered into each other in this little town of Sale.  The Italians placed the bulk of their army on the Austrian left.  Wishing to force the flank, while leaving the center and right lightly held.  The Austrian Commander must not have seen the concentration to his left and put the bulk of his forces in the center and on his right flank.

The opening went to the Italians and the General sent his cavalry out to find the edge of the massed Austrians in the center.

The Austrians start to react to the on coming Italians.

 On the Austrian right, the Jagers push towards the Italians.

 The Italian line waits patiently for the Austrians to reach rifle range.

The Italian cannons ready to fire on the Jagers.  First blood would be spilled on the Austrian right.

 The battle shifted from the Austrian right to the Austrian left as the Italians pushed on towards the Austrian center.  The Bersagileri lead the way, taking shots at the Austrians forming up in front of them.

 Another view of the Italians as the march towards the Austrians.

The Austrian center shifts to the left and angles itself to receive the on coming Italians.

 Another view of the Austrian line facing the Bersaglieri.

 The Austrian Center. A good view of their left flank being protecting by the line of Austrians.

In a bold move the Austrian Commander pushes his flank line out to meet the Italians.  The Italians answer with opportunity fire.

 The Austrian center with the bulk of the cavalry sitting, waiting for orders.  For most of the battle the flanks witnessed the most action.

Again the battle shifted to the Austrian right as the Italians and Austrians closed.  Both sides suffered major causalities during this engagement.  Both sides lost a total of a unit and a half before any close combat.

 Again the battle shifted to the left, with the Italians getting bloodied.

The impending close combat would turn into a prolonged melee that ate up impetus and morale chips.

 The engagement on the Austrian left sucked in more and more troops and resources as it dragged on.

Each side exchanged lots of fire, causing hits but never enough to kill of stands.

 As the blood bath on the left continued the right side saw both sides waver a little and then the Austrians blinked.  A full unit was destroyed and being out of morale chips the Austrian commander started to pull back his troops and save them for the rest of the campaign.

 The Italian artillery gets off a few last shots.

The Austrian Jagers down a full unit pull back.

 Overhead view looking from the Austrian Left.

 Again the left side heats up with the Italians taken more losses and soon they run out of morale chips.  But a well place shot by the Bersaglieri causes another stand loss to the Austrians and the Italians gain a morale chip.

The battle drew to a close with both sides bloody but the Italians pulling out a Marginal Victory.  After a series of losses for the Italians, this victory put some life back into their Commanding General.  We will have to see if he can carry that over to the next one.

This battle saw some of the longest phases we've experienced in playing Piquet.  Also of note the bulk of the initiative went to the Austrians in the game and they still ended up losing.  That's why we like Piquet. It's unpredictable and nail biting at times but the results never seem unrealistic.