La Bataille de Aspern-Essling 1809

LA BATAILLE D’ ASPERN-ESSLING 1809

Includes Neumarkt 1809

© Marshal Enterprises 2015 www.labataille.me

La Bataille d’ Aspern-Essling 1809 By Marshal Enterprises

La Bataille d’Aspern-Essling is a recreation of the famed 1809 battle on the banks of the Danube in which Archduke Charles of Austria was able to push back the French Emperor Napoleon from the treacherous river crossings on May 21 and 22 of 1809, but fell short of destroying La Grande Armee d’Allemagne. La Bataille de Neumarkt , commemorating one of the rigorous German battles leading up to Aspern-Essling. The purchaser has the right to copy and/ or re-produce the contents of this simulation only for private use

© Marshal Enterprises

Oct 2015

La Bataille d’ Aspern-Essling 1809 By Marshal Enterprises

Table of Contents

1. Introduction -The 1809 Campaign 2. Order of Battle 3. Scenarios (1 through 13) 4. La Bataille d’Aspern-Essling 1809 a. Special Unit Types and Formations b. Terrain Effects and Movement

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La Bataille d’ Aspern-Essling 1809 By Marshal Enterprises

5. Rapp Resolute – Historical Essay 6. Historical Essay- The World in 1809 7. Premier Rules (Updated Aug. 2015) 8. Le Bataille de Neumarkt 1809

9. Counter Value Summary 10. Counter Facing Diagram

11. Acknowledgements 12. Player’s Aide / AE 13. Appendix (Also on the Disk as PDF) a. Scenario Maps b.Scenario #3 Bridge Diagram c.Morale Levels d.Appearance Charts

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The War of the Fifth Coalition and the Campaign of 1809….

Napoleon had been at war with Britain since 1803. He became the Emperor of the French in 1804. His ongoing war was both an engine and a brake upon his reign. Though Napoleon kept achieving victories with each passing month of his reign, the fragility of his strategic position became ever more revealed even as the bulletins reported more triumphs. Each victory was like the name in a biblical genealogy. Ulm begat Austerlitz. Austerlitz begat Jena. Jena begat Eylau. Eylau begat Friedland. And Friedland, via its cousin Tilsit, begat Spain. And Spain begat a war for which there would be no peace. The French involvement in Spain and Portugal had dated back to

1807. Portuguese reluctance to accept French pressure to join them in Napoleon’s war against the British had led to a French invasion of Portugal in 1807. French involvement in the complex world of Spanish politics and subsequent armed struggles is much too complicated and involved to recall here, but the reader should know that Spanish War of Independence, which started with the Madrid Uprising on May 2, 1808, and the subsequent defeat of Dupont at Bailen in July 1808, led to much escalated French involvement and the personal intervention of Napoleon in November, 1808. Napoleon was victorious in his battles, but could only stay in Spain for a couple of months before events in Central Europe drew him back to Paris in early 1809. Those events in Central Europe were the rise of the Fifth Coalition. Napoleon would never return to Spain, and despite his own personal success, the failure of the French to fully conquer Spain would plague Napoleon till the end of his reign. The situation was accurately described as the “Spanish Ulcer.” The War of the Fifth Coalition would be a reprise of the Franco-Hapsburg wars which had consumed the Austrians during the Revolution and the earlier years of Napoleon’s rule. Three of the previous four Coalition Wars had resulted in the complete defeat of the Austrians and the losses of large swaths of Hapsburg territories. Austrian Emperor Franz I (probably also smarting from his demotion from Holy Roman Emperor to mere Emperor of Austria in the wake of the defeat of the Austrians in 1805) and most of rest of Hapsburg nobility were eager to seek their revenge and the repatriation of both their lands and the leadership of Europe which had been ceded to Napoleon in the wake of his cornucopia of victories.

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Hapsburg Revenge and Recovery Partially inspired by the tumultuous events in Spain, the Austrian war party believed the time was ripe for an Austrian declaration of war in Central Europe and the restoration of Austrian hegemony. Franz’ brother, the Erzherzog Karl, had been a leading advocate of reform in the Austrian army. Karl had been able to increase substantially the size and quality of the Austrian forces. Among the reforms instituted by Karl was the development of the Austrian Masse formations (both divisional and battalion) which would allow the much larger, but relatively cumbersome Austrian formations to defend themselves better against French cavalry. But Erzherzog Karl did not believe his new army was quite ready to take on the French just yet. Thus, Karl was considered part of the

“peace” party, and his respectful opposition to the Hapsburg sabre rattlers would create a dysfunction in Austrian leadership which would plague the Hapsburg direction of the war. The Austrian war party was bolstered by a report from the Austrian finance minister indicating that the Austrians would run out of money by mid-summer 1809 if they remained mobilized. The incentives for war then were high: French problems in Spain; financial reasons to go to war or give up the new army; and the Hapsburg desire for the restoration of its power and reputation. By early February, the Austrians secretly decided to go to war. The Austrian leadership rift would immediately create a problem for the Austrians. Karl wanted the major Austrian offensive thrust to come from Bohemia. Franz and his advisors wished to guard the approaches Vienna by staying south of the Danube. In the end, the Austrians decided on compromise of both plans, and more importantly, had lost a lot of time deciding what to do. Napoleon, on the other hand, not knowing exactly what the Austrians would do, decided to make the Danube Valley his primary field of operations. While Napoleon attended to his imperial duties in Paris and oversaw war preparations at home, he designated Marshal Berthier as the field commander for the newly formed Grand Armee d’Allemagne. This would almost prove disastrous as Berthier, as fine a staff commander as there was, was not a good field commander, and several errors would be made in the upcoming weeks with him at the helm. Compounding the French errors was Napoleon’s miscalculation as to when the Austrians would go on the offensive. It turned out the Austrian attacked nearly a week earlier on April 9, 1809. Berthier was able to build up the French forces from both existing formations in the theatre of operations; new levies from France; and troops from Italy and Illyria so that Napoleon would have a large and effective army ready for his impending arrival. The Austrians opened the war with an invasion of Bavaria across the Inn River. Harsh weather slowed the Austrian advance somewhat, but then Berthier deployed the French army in two insupportable wings separated by more than 75 kilometers. After a rushed trip from Paris, Napoleon took over the Grand Armee at Donauworth on April 17, just in time to rehabilitate Berthier’s haphazard and strung out deployment.

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Landshut Maneuver Karl intended to isolate and destroy Davout at Regensburg, and had 80,000 concentrated to effect that outcome. However, Napoleon did a massive redeployment of his entire army called the Landshut Maneuver in which he had hoped to have Davout’s III Corp and Lefebvre forces hold and pin Karl close to the Danube, while the rest of the French would sweep around the Austrian army towards the Southeast. While there were many battles and many outcomes, the French were largely successful in their endeavors—especially at the battle of Eckmuhl on April 21-22 where Marshal Davout would prevail. One notable exception was the battle of Neumarkt-Sankt Veit on April 24. Here, Field Marshal Johann Baron von Hiller, one of the very best Austrian generals, vigorously attacked Bessieres by sharply turning and counterattacking Bessieres, who had been pursuing Hiller with French cavalry and Wrede’s Bavarian infantry division after the battles around Eckmuhl. Hiller’s actions proved the Austrians had lots of fight left in them and their army would need to be defeated soundly before there could be a peace. The rest of the Austrians were able to take the town of Regensberg for just long enough to move their army to the north side of the Danube and fall back towards Bohemia---where Charles had wanted to be in the first place. The French army continued its aggressive push to Vienna as very few Austrians had remained on the south side of the river. Vienna finally fell to the French on May 13, and unlike the French success in 1805, the Austrian population greeted the French with absolute hostility. Parts of the city were bombarded before French entry, and the French occupation was a dark event for the inhabitants. Karl’s army was still a force in being---large and not soundly defeated, on the north side of the river, and able to keep the French from seeking a victorious and complete peace. The French attempted to cross to the north side of the Danube near Vienna on May 13, but were repulsed with about 700 losses. By this time, the French had assembled around 71,000 troops on the south side of the river. Karl watched from the north side with about 98,000. The French then began to search for another suitable crossing and decided upon the route via Lobau Island. On the night of May 19, French engineers under the command of Count Bertrand occupied Lobau. On the 20 th , construction began of the bridge from Lobau to the left bank of the Danube. Marshal Massena’s corps was able to seize the necessary bridgehead and nearly 40,000 French forces were able to move to the north side of the Danube onto what was called the Marchfeld---where the Austrian Army had drilled and paraded for years. Karl had actually allowed Massena’s troops to cross the river. His hope was to allow a large portion of the French to cross and then attack that isolated group without the assistance of the main French body and destroy them piecemeal… Thus the stage for the battle of Aspern-Essling was set on the afternoon of May 21, 1809

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Order of Battle

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La Bataille d’Aspern-Essling 1809

La Grande Armée de l'Allemagne Emperor Napoleon I, Roi d'Italie Maréchal d’Empire Berthier, Prince of Neuchatel Général de Brigade Guillaume Mathieu, comte Dumas Général de Division Géraud Christophe Michel Duroc, 1ere Duc de Frioul Général de Division Jean Ambroise Baston de Lariboisière Général de Division Georges Mouton Général de Division Count Jean Rapp Général de Division Arrighi de Casanova Général de Division Nicolas Charles Oudinot, 1ere Duc de Reggio Général de Division Henri Gatien Bertrand, Ingenieur

Garde Imperial 1ere Division de la Garde Général de division Curial Fusilier-Grenadier Regiment Fusilier-Chasseur Regiment lst Tirailleur-Grenadier Regiment lst Tirailleur-Chasseur Regiment 2e Division de la Garde Général de division Dorsenne Grenadier à Pied Regiment Chasseur à Pied Regiment

3e Division de la Guard Général de division Walther 1ere Chevauléger-lancier Polonaise de la Vieille Garde Chasseurs a Cheval de la Vieille Garde Grenadiers à Cheval de la Vieille Garde Mamelucs Gendarmes d’Elite II Corps de Armee Maréchal d’Empire Lannes, Duc de Montebello Général de Brigade Gauthier

1ere Division Général de division St. Hilaire 10e Légère Regiment

3e Ligne Regiment 57e Ligne Regiment

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La Bataille d’Aspern-Essling 1809

72e Ligne Regiment 105e Ligne Regiment

2e Division Général de division Tharreau 4/6e Légère

4/24e Légère 4/25e Légère 4/9e Légère 4/16e Légère 4/27e Légère 4/8e Ligne 4/24e Ligne 4/45e Ligne 4/94e Ligne 4/95e Ligne 4/96e Ligne 4/54e Ligne 4/63e Ligne 4/4e Ligne 4/18e Ligne 4/17e Légère 4/21e Légère 4/28e Légère 4/26e Légère 4/27e Ligne 4/39e Ligne 4/59e Ligne 4/69e Ligne 4/76e Ligne 4/40e Ligne 4/88e Ligne 4/64e Ligne 4/100e Ligne 4/103e Ligne

3e Division Général de division Claparede

Tirailleurs Corses Tirailleurs du Po

4e Division Général de division Demont

4/7e Légère 4/12e Ligne 4/17e Ligne 4/21e Ligne

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La Bataille d’Aspern-Essling 1809

4/30e Ligne 4/33e Ligne 4/61e Ligne 4/65e Ligne 4/85e Ligne 4/111e Ligne

3e Co./2e Artillerie a Pied 5e Co./2e Artillerie a Pied 1ere Co./3e Artillerie a Pied 2e Co./3e Artillerie a Pied 4e Co./3e Artillerie a Pied 6e Co./3e Artillerie a Pied III Corps de Armee Maréchal d’Empire Davout, Duc d’Auerstädt Général de Brigade Compans

1ere Division Général de division Morand 13e Legere

17e Ligne 30e Ligne 61e Ligne

2e Division Général de division Friant

15e Legere 33e Ligne 48e Ligne 108e Ligne 111e Ligne

3e Division Général de division Gudin

7e Legere 12e Ligne 21e Ligne 25e Ligne 85e Ligne

Legere Cavalerie Brigade Général de brigade Montbrun 5e Hussar

11e Chasseur a Cheval 12e Chasseur a Cheval 7e Hussar

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La Bataille d’Aspern-Essling 1809

1ere Chasseur a Cheval 2e Chasseur a Cheval

3e Co./7e Artillerie a Pied 5e Co./7e Artillerie a Pied 8e Co./7e Artillerie a Pied 2e Co./5e Artillerie a Pied 14e Co./8e Artillerie a Pied 18e Co./8e Artillerie a Pied IV Corps de Armee Maréchal d’Empire Massena, Duc de Rivoli Général de Brigade Becker

1ere Division Général de division Molitor

37e Ligne 67e Ligne 2e Ligne 16e Ligne

2e Division Général de division Boudet

3e Légère 56e Ligne 93e Ligne

3e Division Général de division Legrand 26e Légère 18e Ligne 3. Baden Linie 4e Division Général de division Carra St.-Cyr 24e Légère 4e Ligne 46e Ligne Hessian Leibgarde Hessian Leib Regiment

Legere Cavalerie Brigade Général de brigade Maurlaz

3e Chasseur a Cheval 14e Chasseur a Cheval 19e Chasseur a Cheval 23e Chasseur a Cheval

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La Bataille d’Aspern-Essling 1809

Baden lere Dragoon Hessian Leib Chevauleger 3e Co./5e Artillerie a Pied 5e Co./5e Artillerie a Pied 1ere Co./7e Artillerie a Pied 2e Co./7e Artillerie a Pied 4e Co./7e Artillerie a Pied 6e Co./7e Artillerie a Pied 3e Co./4e Artillerie a Cheval 5e Co./4e Artillerie a Cheval Cavalry Reserve Maréchal d’Empire Bessieres Général de Brigade Laville 1ere Legere Cavalerie Division Général de division Lasalle 8e Hussar

16e Chasseur a Cheval 13e Chasseur a Cheval 24e Chasseur a Cheval

1ere Grosse Cavalerie Division Général de division Nansouty 1ere Carabinier

2e Carabinier 2e Cuirassier 9e Cuirassier 3e Cuirassier 12e Cuirassier

2e Grosse Cavalerie Division Général de division St. Sulpice 1ere Cuirassier

5e Cuirassier 10e Cuirassier 11ere Cuirassier

3e Grosse Cavalerie Division Général de division Espagne

4e Cuirassier 6e Cuirassier 7e Cuirassier 8e Cuirassier

2e Co./5e Artillerie a Cheval

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La Bataille d’Aspern-Essling 1809

4e Co./5e Artillerie a Cheval 6e Co./5e Artillerie a Cheval

Kaiserlich-konigliche Armee Commander: Karl-Ludwig Johann, FM Erzherzog, GM Freiherr Max von Wimpfen GM Adjutanten Grunne Stabchef der Artillerie Major Perl Reittmeister Strasser l. Kolonne 6. Korps de armee Feldmarschall-Lieutenant v. Hiller Oberst Kienbacher

Avant Garde Fieldmarshall-Lieutenant v. Nordmann 7. Hussar 60. Infantrie Regiment 7. Grenz Regiment

1. Wien Freiwilliger Battalion 2. Wien Freiwilliger Battalion

1. Division Fieldmarshall-Lieutenant v. Kottutinsky 1. Dragoon 14. Infantrie Regiment 59. Infantrie Regiment 4. Wien Freiwilliger Battalion 2. Division Feldmarschall-Lieutenant Vincent 31. Infantrie Regiment 51. Infantrie Regiment 1. Baron Mahr Freibattalion 39. Infantrie Regiment 3. Wien Freiwilliger Battalion

3 Brigade Batterien 1 Kavallerie Batterie

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La Bataille d’Aspern-Essling 1809

2. Kolonne l. Korps de armee General of Kavallerie v. Bellegarde Oberst von Bajahaza , 1. Division Fieldmarshall-Lieutenant Graf v. Fresnel 10. Infantrie Regiment 2. Jager Battalion

4. Chevauxleger 5. Chevauxleger

2. Division Feldmarschall-Lieutenant v. Vogelsang

17. Infantrie Regiment 36. Infantrie Regiment

3. Division Feldmarschall-Lieutenant v. Ulm

11. Infantrie Regiment 47. Infantrie Regiment

4. Division Feldmarschall-Lieutenant v. Nostitz

42. Infantrie Regiment 35. Infantrie Regiment

2 Position Batterien 4 Brigade Batterien 2 Kavallerie Batterien 3. Kolonne 2. Korps de armee Feldmarschall-Lieutenant Hohenzollern-Hechingen Major von Boynograd

Avant Garde Generalmajor Provencheres 3. Chevauxleger

7. Jager Battalion 8. Jager Battalion

2. Erzherzog Karl Legion 50. Infantrie Regiment

1. Division Fieldmarshall-Lieutenant v. Brady 57. Infantrie Regiment

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La Bataille d’Aspern-Essling 1809

15. Infantrie Regiment 54. Infantrie Regiment 25. Infantrie Regiment

2. Division Fieldmarshall-Lieutenant v. Weber

21. Infantrie Regiment 18. Infantrie Regiment 28. Infantrie Regiment 1 Position Batterie 4 Brigade Batterien 1 Kavallerie Batterie

4. Kolonne 4. Korps de armee Feldmarschall-Lieutenant Rosenberg Hauptmann Rukavina Avant Garde Feldmarschall-Lieutenant Graf Klenau 2. Uhlan 1. Jager Battalion 10. Hussar 3. Infantrie Regiment 1. Division Feldmarschall-Lieutenant Dedovich 13. Grenz Regiment 2. Baron Mahr Freiwilliger Battalion 1 Position Batterie 2 Brigade Batterien 1 Kavallerie Batterie 5. Kolonne Feldmarschall-Lieutenant Hohenlohe Oberst von Buol 2. Division Feldmarschall-Lieutenant Rohan 8. Infantrie Regiment 22. Infantrie Regiment 9. Infantrie Regiment 55. Infantrie Regiment

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La Bataille d’Aspern-Essling 1809

Carneville Freikorps 13. Grenz Regiment 3. Hussar 6. Chevauxleger 3. Division General Major Riese 46. Infantrie Regiment 44. Infantrie Regiment 2. Infantrie Regiment 33. Infantrie Regiment

1 Position Batterie 2 Brigade Batterien 1 Kavallerie Batterie Reserve Korps General of Kavallerie Fürst Liechtenstein Major Janusch 1. Reserve Division Fieldmarshall-Lieutenant v. Lindenau

Leiningen Grenadier Battalion Portner Grenadier Battalion Georgy Grenadier Battalion Wieniawsky Grenadier Battalion Demontant Grenadier Battalion Legrand Grenadier Battalion Hohelohe Grenadier Battalion Hahn Grenadier Battalion

1 Position Batterie 2 Brigade Batterien

2. Reserve Division Fieldmarshall- Lieutenant d'Aspre Brzeczinski Grenadier Battalion Puteany Grenadier Battalion Scovaud Grenadier Battalion Scharlach Grenadier Battalion Mayblumel Grenadier Battalion Oklopsia Grenadier Battalion Bissingen Grenadier Battalion Kirchenbetter Grenadier Battalion

1 Position Batterie 2 Brigade Batterien

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La Bataille d’Aspern-Essling 1809

1. Reserve Kavallerie Division Fieldmarshall-Lieutenant v. Hessen-Homberg 6. Blankenstein Hussar 3. Herzog Albert Kuirassier 2. Erzherzog Franz Kuirassier 4. Kronprinz Ferdinand Kuirassier 8. Hohenzollern Kuirassier 2. Reserve Kavallerie Division Feldmarschall-Lieutenant v. Kienmayer 1. Kaiser Kuirassier 6. Moriz Liechtenstein Kuirassier 6. Riesch Dragoon 3. Knesevich Dragoon

Primatial Insurrection Hussar Neutraer Insurrection Hussar

2 Kavallerie Batterien

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Scenarios

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La Bataille d’ Aspern-Essling 1809

Scenarios Use this table to establish the scenario you wish to play and the associated maps. In some cases , specific scenario maps have been provided. This allow for an easy definition of boundaries and set-up. They can be found on the disk as PDF’s., easy to print as 11”x17” or associated metric size. Map layout 1 2 3 4

No

Date

Name

Notes

Map

1

21-May Day One (Largely Historical) 21-May Day One (Austrian Variation) 22-May Day Two )Largely Historical 22-May Day Two / Davout Enters

1,2,3,4 1,2,3,4 1,2,3,4

1A

Planning Table Largely Historical

2

2A

Ability to cross Davout 1,2,3,4 Includes Bridge game 1,2,3,4

3 21 - 22 May Two Day Battle Structure

Hirschstetten (Alternative Crossing)

4 5 6 7 8

21-May

Alternate Crossing Introduction Introduction Attack at 15:00 11:20 to 17:00 10:00 to 13:00 at Essling Lannes Attack Napoleon's Plan

1,3

22-May Aspern 21-May Aspern

S. Map S. Map 1,2,3,4 S. Map S. Map 1,2,3,4 1,2,3,4 S. Map S. Map

21-May Cavalry Attack in the Center

22-May Attack of the Guard

9

22-May Day Two 22-May Day Two 22-May Day Two

10 11 12 13

21-May Evening Attack on Essling

22-May Lannes Retreat

Rearguard Action

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La Bataille d' Aspern-Essling 1809

Scenario One - Missed Opportunities Both Sides Day One (Largely Historic) Missed Opportunities Both Sides La Grande Armée de l'Allemagne Starting Locations and Order of Appearance May 21, 1809 Start 12:00 - End 22:00

Summary

On May 21, Napoleon had thought his crossing of the swelling Donau would catch the Hapsburgs hibernating, but Karl had hoped Napoleon would start his crossing and then he could attack before the bulk of the French crossed. Both sets of expectations would not reach consummation and the bitter battle of Aspern-Essling would be joined. The French only had three infantry divisions in and around Aspern and Essling and three cavalry divisions in the broad area between the two towns when the battle began in the afternoon.  French reinforcements were scheduled to cross the Donau at Bertrand's Lobau Island boat bridge, but the rising river and the Austrian efforts to destroy Bertrand's boats were interrupting with the flow of troops to support the fragile French position. The French were only able to field under 30,000 men on the battlefield on May 21 facing the more than 90,000 Austrians on the Marchfeld plain. This scenario allows either the historical Austrian set-up or allows the player to assume that Karl might want to change his initial set-up. However, if the Austrians decide to change their set-up and overall strategic plan, other delays to the cumbersome columns may arise. The Austrian efforts to take both towns fell short on May 21 despite desperate efforts. The cavalry battles in the center area were just as dramatic, and as the sun set, the battles finally quieted down only restrained by the reduced visibility. The French continued to cross Bertrand's boat bridge into the night and into the next morning and the battle would continue into the next day.

Formation Description

Start

Arrive

Notes

12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00

Within two hexes of Aspern Within two hexes of Essling 8 hexes South of Aspern 6 hexes South of elev. road 2 hexes north of elev. Road and within 3 hexes of Aspern Ziegelwerke

Massena, Legrande w/ 3e Inf. Division Lannes, Boudet w/ 2e Inf. Division

Molitor w/ 1ere Inf. Division

Bessieres

D'Espagne w/ 3e Grosse Cav. Division

Marulaz w/ Cav. of the IV Corps d' Armee Lasalle w/ 1ere Lt. Cav. Division Napoleon w/staff, Mamelucs & Gend.

4 hexes South of Essling

Within two hexes of Ziegelwerke With any IV Corps Formation

IV Corps Artillery

14:20 Cross Bridge

St. Sulpice w/ 2e Grosse Cav. Division

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Scenario One

La Bataille d' Aspern-Essling 1809

16:20 Cross Bridge 17:20 Cross Bridge 17:40 Cross Bridge 18:20 Cross Bridge 19:00 Cross Bridge 19:20 Cross Bridge 20:20 Cross Bridge

St. Cyr w/ 4e Inf. Division

Nansouty w/ 1 ere et 12e Cuirassier Regs.

2e et 9e Cuirassier Regs.

Curial w/Tirailleur Chasseurs et Gren.

Fusilier Chasseurs Reg. Fusilier Grenadiers Reg.

Dorsenne w/ Chass. et Gren. a' Pied Regs.

Key Initial Starting Locations Historique Entry Times Dusk starts at 21:00 Leaders include their associated staffs French cross the bridge from Lobau to Muehlauin in road march.

All French units must remain within four hexes of their starting location until 13:00 or if attacked (Feu/Melee). The attacked unit would release its division to move freely

Scenario One - Day One (Largely Historic) La Grande Armée de l'Allemagne Starting Locations and Order of Appearance May 21, 1809 Bertrand Pont Tableau Due to the construction of the bridges and the Austrian attacks on them, reinforcements were delayed. Roll for each formation (group) listed, the turn before the historic entry time, to see if Bertrand repairs the damage and the formation arrives on time or is delayed

Start 13:00 - End 22:00

1

Arrive this turn Arrive next turn Arrive in two turns

2,3

4 5

Arrive 50% next turn and 50% the turn after

6*

Bridge broken - roll again next turn

After 17:20 add one to the die roll

*If a 6 is rolled, the bridge is broken and there may be casualties to units attempting to cross that turn

1,2 3,4 5,6

No Losses

1 increment mort* 2 increments mort*

*Roll for one regiment (cav.) or one battalion (Inf.) per turn. Austrian chooses the unit.

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Scenario One

La Bataille d' Aspern-Essling 1809

Victory Conditions Scenario One and One A French Decisive – Hold 11, 10 0r 9 hexes of Apern and 13, 12 or 11 hexes of Essling French Substantial – Hold 9 or 8 hexes of Aspern and 10 or 9 hexes of Essling French Marginal - Hold 7 or 6 hexes of Aspern and 8 or 7 hexes of Essling Austrian Marginal – Hold 6 or 7 hexes of Aspern and 8 or 9 hexes of Essling Austrian Substantial- Hold 8 or 9 hexes of Aspern and 10 or 11 Essling Austrian Decisive – Hold all of 11 or 12 Aspern and 12 or 13Essling, or get 50 factors within 6 hexes of the bridge to Lobau

Any other result is a draw

Aspern has 11 town hexes with the Church Essling has 13 town hexes with the Granary

Map layout

1

2 4

3

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Scenario One

La Bataille d' Aspern-Essling 1809

Scenario One - Day One (Largely Historic) and One A (Austrian Variable) Austrian Hauptarmee Grand Tactical Staff - Planning Table May 21, 1809 Start 12:00 - End 22:00

Historic Starting

Schenario One

Summary The Austrian Staff planned the march route each column took to attack various locations on the battlefield For Scenario One use the historical entry times and locations as shown in green, on this Planning Table . The units shown here start in these positions for the largely historical scenario

Formation Description

Start

Notes

Hiller and Staff Div. Nordmann Div. Kottulinsky

12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00

Hirschstettin

Hirschstettin - within 3 hexes

Kagran - within 3 hexes

Schwarzenberg 2. Uhlans & Stip. 10.Hussars Rosen. 6. Chev. & 3. Ferdinand Hussars

Gross Enzersdorf - within 7 hexes

Entry D - within 15 hexes Entry C - within 15 hexes

Blank. 6, Prim. & Neutraer Hussars

Austrian Variable Starting

One A

Variable Entry Using the entry time not in green allows you to enter the battlefield at different times and locations This is calculated from the Korps original starting dates Plan carefully. Putting too many troops at one entry will just add to delays.

Formation Description

Notes

Blank., Prim. & Neut. Hussars

12:00

Any Entry - within 15 hexes

The turn before a column enters the board, the light cavalry from that column, enters.

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Scenario One and One A

La Bataille d' Aspern-Essling 1809

Planning Table For Scenarion One A change the entry point and cross reference the Arrival Time Entry Points Grand Tactical Kolonne (Korps) 1 (VI) 2 (I) 3 (II) 4 (IV) 5 (IV)

RC Gr.

14:00 17:00

19:00 18:40

15:00 14:40

A B C D E

12:00 12:40

NE NE

NE NE NE

16:20 15:20

13:20

13:40 14:20

18:00 19:40 14:00

14:40 15:20 16:00 15:40 16:00 16:40

17:40 18:40

13:20 NE

18:00 14:00

17:00 18:20

NE NE

17:40 18:00

14:40

F

NE

17:20

Key

NE Nicht Erlabt

Historic Entry Times (One)

19:20 Planned Arrival time (One A) RC Reserve Cavalry (minus Hussars) Gr. Grenadiers - d'Aspre and Lindenau 4. Kolonne - Divs. Klenau and Dedovich 5. Kolonne -Divs. Rohan and Riese

Entrance Definitions A= Western Edge within 12 of Kagran B= Kagran

E=Raasdorf

C= Breitenlee

F=East edge straight line to Gros Enzersdorf

D= North Edge by the '1809"

Austrian Chain of Command - one die for each Column and apply the results to modify the historic entry times or what entry times you have chosen for variants (1A) Roll the turn before the formation (group) is scheduled to enter.

1 Arrive this turn 2,3 Arrive next turn 4,5 Arrive 50% next turn, 50% in two turns 6 Orders lost - roll again next turn

If Erzherzog Karl is with a column, subtract one from the die roll Once Karl enters, he stays on the map

If as a result of the planning and variable roll, two columns are arriving within the same hour at the same entry point, roll again for the later arrival adding 1 to the die roll.

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Scenario One and One A

La Bataille d' Aspern-Essling 1809

Scenario Two - The Bloody Battle Continues Day Two (Largely Historical) La Grande Armée de l'Allemagne Starting Positions and Order of Appearance May 22, 1809 Start 5:00 - End 18:00

Summary

The early morning hours of May 22 revealed that the four French infantry divisions, which had been engaged in the previous day's struggles, had had heavy casualties (39 increments in game terms). The French cavalry divisions had suffered just as much (19 increments in game terms).   Two French infantry divisions were still fresh, and Lannes' corps was arriving from Lobau. The Austrians  also had suffered substantial casualties (116 increments both infantry and cavalry in game terms), but the Austrians had far more troops and they could choose where they wanted to attack.  In addition, the French were still having some problems with their Donau bridges. Though both Aspern and Essling would change hands over the day several times the two towns as the Austrians hoped to win the battle by taking and keeping, it was the center where Napoleon would direct Lannes with his fresh corps in a desperate effort to seize the day.  The battle concluded, but many on both sides had fallen--- including Marshal Lannes and General St. Hilaire.

Maps 1, 2, 3 & 4 See set-up Map for some locations

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Scenario Two

La Bataille d' Aspern-Essling 1809

Start

Formation Description

Arrive

Note

Aspern, minus 12 increments, not in Aust. Hexes Essling, minus 10 increments, not in Aust. Hexes 8 hexes South of Aspern hexes, minus 12 increments 9 hexes south of Aspern, minus 5 increments 3 hexes South of the elevated road 2 hexes south of the road within 46 hexes of Aspern, minus 6 increments 3 hexes of elevated road minus 5 increments 7 hexes South of the elevated road 5 hexes south of the elevated road, minus 4 increments 3 hexes South of the elevated road, minus 4 increments 9 hexes South of the elevated road Bridge from Loabau Is. - no delays Ziegelwerke Ziegelwerke

Legrande w/ 3e Inf. Div.

5:00

Boudet w/ 2e Inf. Div.

5:00

Massena et Molitor w/ 1ere Inf. Division

5:00

St. Cyr w/ 2e Inf. Div.

5:00

IV Corps Artillery -w/ any of the IV Corps

5:00

Marulaz w/ Cav. of the IV Corps d' Armee

5:00 5:00 5:00

Napoleon w/staff

Bessieres w/ Napoleon

Arrighi w/ 3e Grosse Cav. Division St. Sulpice w/ 2e Grosse Cav. Division

5:00

5:00

Nansouty w/ 1 ere Gross Cav. Division

5:00

Lasalle w/ 1ere lt. Cav. Div. w/ Art. A' Cheval Lannes et St. Hillaire w/ 1ere Inf. Division

5:00

5:00

Tharreau w/ 2e Inf. Division

5:00

Oudinot et Claparede w/3e Inf. Division

Bertrand Pont Tableau / Cross Bridge

6:00

Bertrand Pont Tableau / Cross Bridge

II Corps Artillery

7:00

Bertrand Pont Tableau / Cross Bridge

Demont w/ 4e Division

8:00

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Scenario Two

La Bataille d' Aspern-Essling 1809

Formation Description

Start

Arrive

Note

Within 8 hexes of the bridge to Lobau is., minus 2 increments Within 6 hexes of the bridge to Lobau Is. Within 4 hexes of the bridge to Lobau Is.

Curial w/ 1ere Gd. Division

5:00

Dorsenne w/ 2e Gd. Division

5:00

Walther w/ 3e Guard Cavalry

5:00

Key Initial Starting Locations Historique Entry Times

Leaders include their associated staffs

Artillery is placed with the Division unless otherwise noted

Bertrand Pont Tableau Due to the construction of the bridges and the Austrian attacks on them, reinforcements were delayed. Roll for each formation (group) listed, the turn before historic, to see if the formation arrives on time or is delayed.

1 2,3

4 5 6*

*If a 6 is rolled, the bridge is broken and there may be casualties to units

Bridge Broken 1,2

3,4 5,6

Roll for one regiment (cav.) or one battalion

Use the French Arrival Table to track the entry times for the various formations

5:00 to 6:00 Sunrise

See Terrain Effects and Movement

6:20 full Daylite

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Scenario Two

La Bataille d' Aspern-Essling 1809

Use also for Scenario Two A Kaiserlich-königliche Hauptarmee Starting Positions and Order of Appearance May 22, 1809 Start 5:00 - End 18:00

Formation Description

Start

Arrive

Note

Karl and Staff

8:00 Enter at C

Hiller w/ Staff (1. Kolonne)

5:00

Stadlau

Nordmann w/ AG and 1 Kav. Bat.

NR, Minus 6 increments Morale Level One

5:00

KO, minus 12 increments, Morale Level One

Kottulinsky w/ Div. und 2 Brig. Bat.

5:00

Vincent w/Div. und Brig. Bat

5:00

VI, Morale Level One

Aspern, Minus 4 increments Aspern, Minus 4 increments

IR 31 - 1. battalion

5:00

IR 31 - 2. battalion

5:00

Bellegarde w/Staff (2. Kolonne)

5:00

Hirschstetten

Fresnel w/ Div. und 2 Kav. Bat. Except:

FR, Morale Level One

5:00

Aspern, minus 4 increments

2. J ä gers

5:00

IR 10Minus 6 increments IR 10Minus 6 increments

IR 10 - 1 battalion

5:00

IR 10 - 1 battalion

5:00

3 hexes South of Nositz, minus 5 increments, Morale Level One

Vogelsang w/ Div. and Brig. Bat.

5:00

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La Bataille d' Aspern-Essling 1809

Formation Description

Start

Arrive

Note

UL, minus 5 increments, Morale Level One

Ulm w/ Div. und Brig. Bat.

5:00

NOS, minus 5 increments

Nositz w/ Div. und Brig. Bat.

5:00

II Kol. 2 Pos. and 2 Brig. Bat.

5:00

II Kol. Art.

Hohenz. w/ Staff (3. Kolonne)

6:00 Enter at C

Provencheres w/AG und Kav. Bat

PR

5:00

BR minus 5 increments, Morale Level One

Brady w/Div. und Brig. Bat.

5:00

WE minus 5 increments, Morale Level One

FML Weber w/Div. und Brig. Bat.

5:00

III Kol. Art. Pos. 2 Brig. Bat.

5:00

III Kol. Art

Rosenberg and staff (IV Kol) Klenau w/ AG (4. Kolonne)und kav. Bat

KL minus 5 increments

5:00

DE 7 increments, Morale Level One IR3 near Essling

Dedovich w/Div. (4. Kol.)

5:00 5:00

IR3

IV Kol Art. Brig. Und Pos. Bat.

5:00

IV Kol. Art

Hohenlohe w/ Staff (5. Kolonne)

5:00

Gros. Enz.

Within 2 hexes of Gros Enzersdorf Minus 5 increments, Morale Level One RO, minus 5 increments, Morale Level One

Riesel w/Div. und Brig. Bat.

5:00

Rohan w/ AG und Brig. Bat

5:00

Gros Enzersdorf

V Kol. Pos. und Kav. Bat.

5:00

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Formation Description

Start

Arrive

Note

Liechten. w/ Staff

8:20 Enter at D

Minus 3 increments, within 6 hexes of WE

1. Kav. Div. w/ Kav. Bat.

5:00

Enter C, Prim Hussars minus 5 increments, Neut Hussars minus 5 increments

Kienmeyer w/2. Kav. Div. w/ Kav. Bat

8:00

Lindenau w/1. Res. Div. d' Aspre w/2. Res. Div.

8:20 Enter at D 8:40 Enter at D

Res. Korps Art

5:00

Res. Art

Use the Austrian Arrival Table to track the entry times for the various formations

Key Initial Starting Locations Historique Entry Times

Leaders include their associated staffs Except for troops in Aspern or Essling, units start within I hex of location indicated

Scenario Two - Two A (Variant ) The Dream Deployment of Davout La Grande Armée de l'Allemagne Starting Positions and Order of Appearance May 22, 1809 Start 5:00 - End 18:00

Summary

Marshal Davout never was at the Battle of Aspern-Essling... the hero of Auerstadt and Eckmuhl and his battle hardened troops would have made a significant difference had they been able to join Napoleon. The Austrian resistance to the Donau crossing and their attempts to destroy Bertrand's

bridge would have made some difference as to when Davout's divisions would arrive.  The players can see what the outcome might have been.  

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Scenario Two

La Bataille d' Aspern-Essling 1809

Formation Description

Start

Arrive

Note

All French unit starting positions and appearance are the same as Scenario Two Add the following:

Davout et Friant w/ 2e Inf. Division

12:00 Bertrand Pont Tableau

Morand w/ 1ere Inf. Division & (1) batterie a' pied Gudin w/ 3e Inf. Division & (1) batterie a' pied Montbrunn w/ Cav. of III Corps d' Armee

13:00 Bertrand Pont Tableau

14:00 Bertrand Pont Tableau

15:00 Bertrand Pont Tableau 16:00 Bertrand Pont Tableau

(4)batterie a' pied

Key Historique Entry Times

Leaders include their associated staffs

Bertrand Pont Tableau Due to the construction of the bridges and the Austrian attacks on them, reinforcements were delayed. Roll for each formation (group) listed, the turn before historic, to see if the formation arrives on time or are delayed.

1 2,3

4 5 6*

*If a 6 is rolled, the bridge is broken and there may be casualties to units attempting to cross that turn 1,2 No Losses 3,4 1 increment mort 5,6 2 increments mort

Roll of one regiment (cav.) or one battalion (Inf.) per turn. Austrian Choice for a loss

Use the French Arrival Table to track the entry times for the various formations

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Scenario Two

La Bataille d' Aspern-Essling 1809

Victory Conditions Scenario Two and Two A French Decisive – Hold 11 hexes of Essling, 13 hexes of Aspern and 4 hexes of Brietenlee

French Substantial – Hold 11 hexes of Aspern and 13 hexes of Essling

French Marginal - Hold 6 hexes of Aspern and 7 hexes of Essling

Draw – the French 3 hexes Aspern and 4 of Essling

Austrian Marginal – Hold 6 hexes of Aspern and 7 hexes of Essling

Austrian Substantial- Hold 8 of Aspern and 9 of Essling

Austrian Decisive – Hold 11 hexes of Aspern and 13 hexes of Essling, have infantry units south of the elevated road

Aspern has 11 town hexes with the Church Essling has 13 town hexes with the Granary

Map layout

1

2 4

3

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Scenario Two

La Bataille d' Aspern-Essling 1809

FR

NR

UL

KO

IR10

IR31

2J

VI

WE

PR

NOS

BR

RES ART

II, III Kol. Art.

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KL

IV Kol Art.

DE

IR3

RO

Set-up Maps

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Scenario Three

The Bridge To Destiny (for Better or Worse)

May 21 to May 22

Summary

The scenario both begins and ends with the standard Napoleonic battle-- albeit one of the more desperate struggles of its time. However, this was the first major battle over two days during the period, and the battle's unique features included a precarious French bridgehead; an even more precarious bridge from the French controlled side of the Donau to the contested side; the need for the French to aggressively reinforce its weak position; and the desire of the Austrians to disrupt French plans.  These features led to the development of a game within the game...the bridge game. French engineers under the great Bertrand construct a boat bridge from the French controlled right bank, onto the Donau island of Lobau, and then to the left bank.  The Austrians, in an effort to disrupt and break the bridge, send all sorts of debris down the Donau, which is at very high levels due to spring snow-melt coming from the Alps.  The man- made debris includes flaming sawmills; fire boats and logs. Nature assists the Hapsburgs as natural debris such as logs and trees also attack the bridge.  How the Austrians attack the bridge, and how the French defend produce a game between the two days of battle and determine how the French can be reinforced on May 22. This scenario is the most accurate portrale of the entire battle: 1) The first day scenario is played - Scenario 1 2)The French attempt to bring troops across the Danube during the night 3) The second day scenario is played - Scenario 2

May 21, 1809

Play Scenario One or One A through until completion (22:00)

There are no charges, movement or combat from 22:20 until the start of Scenario #2 (05:00) Reset the Armies on the map using these rules:

PGD Units PGD units recover with a loss of 2 increments

Displacement All Austrian troops in the ZdF of the enemy retreat 5 hexes, if possible. If the units cannot move because of other ZdF'S, they remain in place Units in villages, Church or Grannary remain in place Other than reinforcements, this determines the set-up for Scenario 2

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Scenario Three

La Bataille d' Aspern-Essling 1809

Loss Recovery Recovery is by Corps or Division

If the formation is not on a level, 1/3 of all increments return If the formation is on a level one, 1/4 of all increments lost return. If the formation is on a level two or more, 1/5 of all increments lost return. Any wounded leaders may recover

Starting with the 23:00 turn Day 1, the Bridge Scenario begins The Bridge Scenario defines the French Reinforcement schedule starting with Oudinot

May 22, 1809

The Bridge Scenario is played by the hour until 05:00 when Scenario Two begins Then the bridge will be checked at the hour but the game commences with 20 minute turns. Troops may be attempting to cross the river durng Scenario Two

Scenario Two plays until conclussion

May 21 to May 22 Reinforcements

French Reinforcements Formations avaible to cross

Oudinot et Claparede w/3e Inf. Division

23:00 Start Bridge Crossing 1:00 Start Bridge Crossing 2:00 Start Bridge Crossing 6:00 Start Bridge Crossing 7:00 Start Bridge Crossing 8:00 Start Bridge Crossing 9:00 Start Bridge Crossing 10:00 Start Bridge Crossing

II Corps Artillery

Demont w/ 4e Division

Davout et Friant w/ 2e Inf. Division

Morand w/ 1ere Inf. Division Gudin w/ 3e Inf. Division

Montbrunn w/ Cav. of III Corps d' Armee

III Corps Artillery

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Scenario Three

La Bataille d' Aspern-Essling 1809

Movement Across the Bridges Use a leader to represent the formation as it moves across the bridge Use increment loss markers to represent losses to the formation as it crosses, defense,

repair, Austrian attacks and bridge damage A formation can move one bridge per hour if:

A bridge in front of them is not broken A bridge in front of them is not occupied The French have 7 incrments of defense. Use inc. 6 inc. markers one theBertrand counter for the 7th

Sequence of Play 23:00 turn

Start at bridge #1. Move Oudinot's division onto bridge 1

Secretly the French allocate their 7 Defense Forces (number in each hex) Secretly the Austrian allocates Riverborne Debris (number - see chart) The Austrian Checks the River Current Direction of the Debris, where it strikes the bridge. Aus. does not have to use this in any turn. Roll for the Natural Donau Debris - see table The Austrian Checks the direction of the Natural Debris, where it strikes the bridge The Austrian checks the Large Logs The Austrian Checks the direction of the Natural Debris, where it strikes the bridge The French place their defense numbers on the Bridge Chart Each Bridge section has a defense of 1 point The Austian Points are subtracted from the French Defense Points Any bridge section that has a negative number of 2 or more is broken If a French unit is on a bridge when it is broken, check the Bridge Attricition Table for loses to formations on a bridge (1-5) Check to see if the 2e division can move to Bridge 2 If 2e can move, II Corps artillery to Bridge 1 (if not broken ) Secretly the French allocate the Defense Forces (number in each hex) French allocate the Repair Forces (number in each hex) The Austrian Checks the River Current Direction of the Debris, where it strikes the bridge Roll for the Natural Donau Debris - see table The Austrian Checks the direction of the Natural Debris, where it strikes the bridge The French place their defense numbers on the Bridge Chart The Austian Points are subtracted from the French Defense Points Any bridge section that has a negative number of 2 or more is broken If a French unit that is on a bridge that is broken, check the Bridge Attricition Table for loses to formations on a bridge (1-5) before it moves forward Check to see if any bridges are repaired 02:00 turn Repeat sequence and move Demont's reserve Division on Bridge 1 if possible

00:00 turn

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Scenario Three

La Bataille d' Aspern-Essling 1809

06:00 turn Repeat sequence and move Friant's Division on Bridge 1 if possible

Repeat using the French Reinforcements and appearance times shown above

Each turn represents one hour.

Enter bridge at 1 and exit to the map bridge at 5

Without "difficulty" it would take 5 turns to cross. (The islands don't count.)

If a bridge section has a negtive number of 2 or more, the bridge cannot be used until repaired It takes 1 increment, one turn to repair 1 damage point. Roll even on one dice and Bertrand can epair two French Defense / Repair Points 7

All points are subtracted from one another, in a turn:

use increment markers

Example (Bridge Section 2) Bridge 2 is being defended by 1 point

1

Bridge 2 has 1 point of damage from last turn The French send one point to fix Bridge 2 The Austrians hit that section with a fireship

-1

1

-4

Total for Bridge 2

-3

Bridge 2 is broken - a unit on it may lose increments The unit on Bridge 1 can not move forward until Bridge 2 is repaired The unit on Bridge 2 may move to Bridge 3 in the next hour, If not, it may rest on an island

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Scenario Three

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