8 April 1813 – Battle of Burghausen

Tactical map of battle area

9^th French army hold a strong defensive position behind the river Inn

3^rd Austrian army are ordered to attack across the river and take Burghausen

Both commanders may create a reserve from their two corps

 

French – 7 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Prussian – 5 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Start of move 1

9^th French army, on the left, are deployed across the table

The CinC has taken command of the town and reinforced the garrison

 

3^rd Austrian army, on the right, are also deployed across the table

The CinC has created a reserve of the cavalry brigades from each corps

He has deployed them (top) on the far side of the river Elbe

End of move 2

9^th French army wait for the Austrian attack to develop

One brigade from 17^th corps (bottom) are moving towards the town

 

The Austrian reserve (top) have halted out of artillery range

6^th Austrian corps (centre) are moving crossing the river north of the main road

5^th Austrian corps (bottom) have halted outside of artillery range

End of move 4

9^th French army wait for Austrian attack to develop

Town garrison receive artillery casualties, but pass morale test

 

Austrian reserve (cavalry) move forward to support 6^th corps

6^th corps cross river and approach town

Artillery fire on garrison at close range and inflict 10% casualties

Leading infantry brigade receive 10% casualties, pass morale test

5^th corps grenadier brigade receive 10% casualties, pass morale test

End of move 6

Austrian hussars charge and rout 18^th corps gunners

Supporting infantry brigade fail morale and join rout

 

French garrison receive more artillery casualties and are shaken

Then charged by Austrian infantry, lose melee and rout

 

17^th French corps advance towards river.

End of move 8

Top – Austrian cavalry pin French on hill

 

Centre – Austrians have taken northern half of town

Austrian cavalry have routed French infantry and artillery

Austrians redeployed to face south

 

Bottom – Austrian artillery have routed French infantry brigade

17^th French corps advance towards river

Cavalry start to cross bridge

End of move 10

Top – French cavalry charge enemy cavalry

Austrian dragoons win melee and rout French

French infantry continue to hold hill

 

Centre – 6^th Austrian corps have taken northern half of town

But they are too weak to push further south

 

Bottom – 5^th Austrian infantry charge and rout French infantry as they cross river

They are then charged, and routed, by French cuirassier brigade

Weakened grenadier brigade and gunners join rout

 

Summary

Both armies have fought to a standstill

The Austrians have taken the northern half of the town

But 5^th corps have been broken and routed

The French have also suffered heavy casualties and have five brigades in rout

At nightfall the Austrians retreat over the river

The French have (just) won the battle

 

The French have lost 9 infantry, 3 cavalry and 1 gunner casualties (4000 men)

The Austrians have lost 5 infantry and 2 cavalry casualties (2200 men)