Battle of Wertingen
Battle of Wertingen | |||||||
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Part of the War of the Third Coalition | |||||||
Bas-relief of the battle from the Column of the Grande Armée | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
First French Empire | Austrian Empire | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Joachim Murat Jean Lannes | Franz von Auffenberg | ||||||
Units involved | |||||||
Cavalry Reserve V Corps | Auffenberg's Corps | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
12,000 | 5,500 | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
319 killed or wounded |
400 killed or wounded 2,900 captured |
In the Battle of Wertingen (8 October 1805)
Background
Emperor
Forces
Murat's advance guard included the heavy cavalry divisions of
Auffenberg's command included 26 battalions, 20 cavalry squadrons and 24 guns. Feldmarschall-Leutnant
Battle
Apparently because his troops were surprised, Auffenberg seems to have only brought nine battalions and one squadron,[2] about 5,500 men, into action. There are conflicting accounts. One historian talks about individual battalions being broken by cavalry or surrounded and forced to surrender.[1] Another writer says that Austrian grenadiers formed in a massive square which resisted cavalry charges until the French brought up Oudinot's grenadiers.[3]
French losses are stated as 319 killed and wounded.[4] The Austrians suffered 400 killed and wounded, plus 2,900 men and 6 cannons captured.[1] One historian says 2,000 Austrians were captured.[2] Cut off from Vienna, the Austrians retreated westward toward their base at Ulm.
Commentary
One historian remarks, "It is not clear why ... Mack had sent this small force to such an isolated position." He added, "His continual reorganization of the troops on the battlefield sowed confusion and demoralization."[1]
References
- Bowden, Scott, "Napoleon and Austerlitz", Chicago, The Emperor's Press, 1997, ISBN 0-9626655-7-6
- Chandler, David. Dictionary of the Napoleonic Wars. New York: Macmillan, 1979. ISBN 0-02-523670-9
- Emmert, H. D. Wargamers Digest Magazine. "A History of Broken Squares 1798-1915," January 1979.
- Smith, Digby. The Napoleonic Wars Data Book. London: Greenhill, 1998. ISBN 1-85367-276-9
Footnotes
External links
- Wertingen 1805, Obscure Battles
- Napoleon guide
- Media related to Battle of Wertingen at Wikimedia Commons
Preceded by Battle of Cape Finisterre (1805) |
Napoleonic Wars Battle of Wertingen |
Succeeded by Battle of Haslach-Jungingen |