In 1636, Richelieu and the Duke of Savoy (Vittorio Amedeo I) agreed to launch an offensive on the Spanish Duchy of Lombardy. On the 20th of May, 1636, the main confederate army started the campaign crossing the river Tarano near the city of Asti. After two weeks of marching and counter-marching, the allies finally crossed the river Pô at Valenza and marched to the North, passing near Novarra, and taking the city of Oleggio on the 14th of June. The objective was to meet the army of the Duke of Rohan, coming from the north. On the 16th of June, the French Marshall de Créquy, with a select corps of 7,000-8,000 French troops, crossed the river Ticino by surprise at Boffalora* at just 40 km from Milan. But without artillery and with a strong Spanish army marching on him, Créquy decided to join the rest of the army. On the 20th of June, we find Créquy at Somma Lombardo on the east bank of the Ticino, Vittorio Amedeo on the west bank of the Ticino at Varalla Pombia, and the Spanish at Boffalora. Next day, Créquy turned back to the south to face the Spanish at Tornavento, waiting the rest of the army and protecting the ford of Oleggio. The Spanish stopped at Castano Primo and decided to attack the French first before the arrival of the Savoyard army. During the night of the 21st of June, we find the French digging a defensive position at Tornavento, the Savoyard building a wood bridge, and the Spanish organizing their army for the next day.
We have made this interesting engagement available for free from the Free Scenarios folder in the REPENTORDIE Yahoo! Group.
Although written for the army-level Renaissance system Repent or Die, it can be modified and used with other popular Renaissance systems.
Repent or Die: Rules of the Age of Renaissance 1492-1660 are available from our company store at panzerkorps.com, or a dealer near you:
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