075. The Battle of the Trebbia - First Day (HTH) - WDS Campaign Marengo

18 June 1799 - Historical - Intended to be played Head to Head - The French had fallen back after the action at Tidone to the Trebbia near Piacenza. MacDonald called for Montrichard and Olivier to march their divisions to reinforce the army as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Suvorov and the Allies moved forward to the Trebbia on the morning of the 18th. Noting that the French were paying little attention to their front, Suvorov and Chasteler came up with a plan to turn the French left flank. Melas was to hold the front on the left for a time and then send a part of his command souteast to join in on the attack by moving southeast to put weight behind the Allied attack. By early afternoon the French divisions of Montrichard and Olivier were starting to approach Melas' position so he held back on releasing Frolich to the Allied right. In doing so he may have saved the Allied left but the momentum that Suvorov was building was curtailed for the rest of the day. The French attack was plainfully pitiful despite the bravery of the men. The French commanders were definitely not up to the task. Though they outnumbered Melas by a goodly number their inept leadership cost them the victory on this front. They fell back licking their wounds. Meanwhile, Suvorov's attack faltered due to the nature of the terrain and the weariness of his own forces. The first day of the battle was a draw setting the stage for the next day's action.