HOLF Players' Guild Forum

Switzerland, once a member of the Nuernberg alliance together with Hesse, Sachsen and Bavaria, prepares for a decisive battle against Italian forces in Villeneuve (NW of Torino) a little over a month after its invasion of Italy and declaration of war against the Holy Roman Empire.

The Reichsarmee office has just informed the press that a Ligurian and a Sardinian Division made contact with the Swiss Army in NW Italy, near a village called Villeneuve. The Swiss were apparently on their way to retake Geneva when the Italians, hot in pursuit, caught up with their rear column.
Aosta valley
The Swiss performed a very bold invasion of Sardinia a month ago, and actually captured Torino and held it for about 10 days, but left their city when the whole of Switzerland fell to the Bavarians and Austrians last week.

Reserves from Liguria, Sardinia and Papal States were mobilised to retake Torino, and when they found the city abandoned initiated the immediate pursuit of the Swiss army.

Two days ago, the 9th Ligurian Dragoons found four Swiss brigades (two infantry, two artillery), which were probably moving slower than the lead column because of the difficulties in carrying cannons through the Alps. The Swiss took defensive positions in a hill flanked by the lake Piccolo, a seasonal lake formed by snow from the Alps.
Villeneuve
The Italians have a slight numerical advantage, but the Swiss have the higher ground and their flanks protected. Messengers were obviously sent to warn the lead cavalry, which should reinforce the Swiss shortly.

We were informed by the Reichsarmee that the battle may be under way even as we write this edition. A Swiss defeat may seal its destiny and end the war in the Alps, a victory may allow a Swiss counter attack in Geneva and prolong the struggle for S germany and N Italy.

A correspondent from the ‘Das Wien Zeiden’ was sent to Torino to look for news of the battle. We will keep you posted dear readers.