7 August 1813 – Battle of Fischbach

Tactical map of battle area

General Schwartzenberg has ordered all four Austrian corps to attack

This has resulted in three battles over a large area

This is the central battle.

3rd and 4th Austrian corps have been ordered to attack Fischbach

9th and 11th Bavarian corps have orders to hold Fischbach

Austrians – 22800 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

Bavarian – 28000 infantry, 1800 cavalry, 60 guns

Table at start of wargame

Both Bavarian corps are deployed, but have not yet taken up defensive positions

12 infantry brigade is in the left hand section of Fischback

Oudinot is waiting to see how the Austrians deploy before he does so

Both Austrian corps will arrive at the start of move 1.

0800-1200

3^rd Austrian corps advance on the right

Artillery force Bavarian hussars to retreat onto the right hand hill

Remainder of corps advance towards pass in centre

4^th Austrian corps advance on the left

Cavalry advance on left to pin enemy cavalry

Infantry advance towards woods

9^th Bavarian corps advance and occupy woods on left

12^th Bavarian corps hold their position and await enemy advance

Both Bavarian cavalry brigades start the battle with casualties

Oudinot is reluctant to expose them to artillery fire or engage enemy cavalry

1200-1600

4^th Austrian corps deploy in front of the left hand village

Their cavalry are charged by the Bavarian light horse

They lose the melee and retire shaken

This setback prevents any further advance by the outnumbered Austrian infantry

3^rd Austrian corps advance and engage the pass in the centre

Oudinot brings forward 12 infantry brigade from the town to support them

The Bavarian gunner seek shelter in the infantry square

Their weakened cavalry support them on the hill

1600-2000

There is a stalemate on the left

4^th Austrian corps are too weak to attack

9^th Bavarian corps are content to hold their position in the woods

The Bavarians hold on the right

One infantry brigade is broken, and its supporting brigade fall back with them

However the square on the right continue to hold

3^rd Austrian corps attack has failed

One infantry brigade is in rout

A second is shaken

The remainder are too weak to continue to attack

Conclusion

Oudinot has lost more casualties

However he continues to hold his position

Schwartzenberg orders a cease fire, but not a retreat

The Bavarians have won the battle