Battle of Luckau
Battle of Luckau | |||||||
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Part of the German campaign of the Sixth Coalition | |||||||
German map of the Spring-Campaign 1813 in Germany. | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
France |
Prussia Russia | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Nicolas Oudinot | Friedrich Wilhelm von Bülow | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
18,000[1] | 21,400[1] | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
2,200 killed, wounded or captured[1] | 800 killed or wounded[1] | ||||||
The Battle of Luckau was fought at Luckau in Brandenburg on 4 June 1813 during the War of the Sixth Coalition. Prussian and Russian forces under General Friedrich Wilhelm von Bülow defeated part of a French-Allied corps under Marshal Nicolas Oudinot.[1]
Background
After the French victory over the coalition armies at Bautzen on 21 May, Napoleon sent the XII Corps under the command of Oudinot north toward Berlin to protect against the activities of Bülow. On 27 May, after the two forces clashed along the Black Elster River at Hoyerswerda, Bülow's corps withdrew and scattered northwest to Jüterbog and north to the vicinity of Cottbus. On 3 June, Bülow moved his forces from Cottbus northwest to Luckau in an attempt to linkup with his forces at Jüterbog. When Oudinot discovered that Bülow had moved to Luckau, he went to intercept.[2]
Battle
Oudinot's vanguard reached Luckau at 9 a.m. on 4 June and immediately attacked.
The French were initially successful in forcing the allies back into the walled portion of the town.
The French attempted to attack the walls and breakthrough, but were unsuccessful. Bülow took advantage of the situation, reinforced his cavalry, and initiated an attack on the French flanks. After a fight that lasted throughout the afternoon, Oudinot withdrew 40 kilometres (25 mi) southwest to Übigau near Dresden.[2][3]
The Russians and Prussians lost about 800 killed and wounded in the action. The French and their allies suffered 1,500 killed and wounded. In addition, Bülow's soldiers captured 700 men, one cannon, and two ammunition wagons.[4]
Aftermath
On 4 June 1813, both sides had agreed to the seven-week Truce of Pläswitz. In August, Napoleon's order to take the Prussian capital of Berlin led to the Battle of Großbeeren.
Citations
- ^ a b c d e f g Bodart 1908, p. 451.
- ^ a b c d Rickard & 17 Apr 2017.
- ^ a b Smith 1998, pp. 424–425.
- ^ Smith 1998, p. 425.
References
- Bodart, Gaston (1908). Militär-historisches Kriegs-Lexikon (1618-1905). Retrieved 4 June 2021.
- Rickard, J (17 April 2017). Combat of Luckau, 6 June 1813. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
- ISBN 1-85367-276-9.
Further reading
- "Battle of Luckau". 2002. Archived from the original on 17 August 2002. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
External links
- Media related to Battle of Luckau at Wikimedia Commons
Preceded by Siege of Tarragona (1813) |
Napoleonic Wars Battle of Luckau |
Succeeded by Battle of Vitoria |