The Austro-Italian War

While the Prussians invade Bohemia, the Italians march on the Imperial-held city of Venice. An Austrian force awaits them.

The Battle of Custarda

The Italians (top) advance on the Austrian defensive position near the (fictional) town of Custarda.

The opposing forces:

• Italians: Bersaglieri (elite skirmishers), artillery, elite cavalry. 2 line infantry in reserve
• Austrians: Cuirassiers (elite, disciplined cavalry), 2 line infantry. Jaegers (skirmishers) and artillery in reserve

The Italians open with an artillery barrage on the hill, but the Austrian infantry unleashes a volley that drives off the gunners. Meanwhile, the Austrian Cuirassiers (left) charge the Bersaglieri. The skirmishers' firepower is not enough. The cavalry ride them down.

The Italian general tries to rally the Bersaglieri to no avail.

The Cuirassiers continue their path of mayhem.

Then they flank and rout the Italian infantry.

The Italian army must retire!

GAME NOTES

I played this game (using Dominion of Spear and Bayonet) to try out an idea. It actually solves 2 problems.

• Problem 1: Since Dominion of came out, I tried to find a role for generals. But nothing ever really worked.
• Problem 2: I keep forgetting to use the rally rule.

To solve problem 2, I decided to create some rally tokens to serve as reminders. But then I had an epiphany - why not use generals as rally tokens! I'll place a general in reserve and then remove it when I try a rally.