085. Spoiling Attack at Savigliano and Fossano (HTH) - WDS Campaign Marengo

18 September 1799 - Historical - Intended to be played Head to Head - The Allies had swept the French out of the Po Valley and the main Austrian army had setup its headquarters in Turin. The French were guarding the passes to France and were in no condition to launch any offensive but a small excursion by Grenier's division from the south towards Turin drew out the Austrians under Melas. Pressing on the Austrian advance guard they drove them to the north. Grenier's forces held Savigliano and Fossano. The right hand column under Ott drove on the former location while Kray's column made a wide flank move on Fossano. The Advance Guard advanced up the middle. The attacks were uncoordinated. Ott's column had some problem prying Savigliano from Grenier's men but soon occupied the town. The French fell back in good order. Meanwhile, Kray finally advanced on Fossano by mid afternoon and reached the bridges only to find the French occupying a strong position. The fighting there was intense and only by great efforts were the Austrians able to cross the river and move on the town on the heights. Again, after a strong assault the French were driven out and fell back to the south. The attack by the French had stirred up a hornet's nest and if anything showed that the Austrians were not about to give up Turin. However, the Austrians were content to let the French hold the passes and no attempt was made to move on France, the Austrians feeling that they were too weak to undergo such an operation. With Suvorov gone to Switzerland the Allied plan had fragmented in Italy. The gains they made would be completely erased in 1800.