My fellow wargamers are always on the lookout for fresh scenarios based on little-known episodes. Here, then, I can offer an attractive alternative to the more familiar settings: the siege of the fortress of Brescello, which was held by Imperial forces from January 1702 until its capitulation in July 1703 and which, above all, provided the principal cause for the French invasion of the Duchy of Modena.
Brescello was a particularly important fortress. Situated south of the River Po, on the frontier with the pro-French Duchy of Parma, it also served as an important supply base for the Imperial army. The stubborn resistance of its garrison—eventually completely surrounded and isolated by the forces of the Two Crowns—represents a virtually forgotten episode of the War of the Spanish Succession, which I am pleased to bring back to life.
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| Brescello Fortress in 1703 Copyright Michele L. SAVASTA FIORE |
FRENCH ORDER OF BATTLE
Command: Marquis de Sennectère
- II Battalion, Régiment d’Auvergne
- I Battalion, Régiment Royal des Vaisseaux
- II Battalion, Régiment Royal des Vaisseaux
- III Battalion, Régiment Royal des Vaisseaux
- I Battalion, Régiment de Leuville
- II Battalion, Régiment de Leuville
- One composite or reduced battalion, Régiment d’Anjou
- 6 mortars
Total: seven infantry battalions (totalling 3.100 men)
The map above (taken from the best one) has North on the left. I overimpressed it on the current map of the zone
Please note that the course of the Po river changed a lot during these centuries.
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