12 March 1813 – Battle of Augsburg Day Two

Tactical map of battle area

Background to battle

This is the second day of the battle of Augsburg

On the previous day both Bavarian corps had held north of the river Lech

The Austrian corps had concentrated south of the city

4^th Austrian corps had crossed to the north bank of the river Lech.

Austrian – 24000 infantry, 2000 cavalry, 57 guns

Bavarian – 28000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 60 guns

Note.   10 Bavarian cavalry brigade is in rout and not available for the battle.

Table at start of wargame game

The river is fordable along its whole length by infantry and cavalry

They are disordered whilst crossing the river

Artillery must use a bridge to cross the river 

0800-1200

Schwartzenberg orders 4^th corps to press on and attack the hill

3^rd corps will cross the river and follow up in support

4^th corps artillery continue to fire on the hill, and cause casualties to 2 brigade

3^rd corps artillery is detached to form a grand battery and continue to pound the hill

Oudinot orders 10^th corps to hold the hill

11^th corps send two brigades to support them

The corps artillery are ordered to advance to close range and engage the Austrian gunners.

1200-1400  

The Bavarian artillery come under fire as they unlimber

10^th artillery suffer 100 casualties and are shaken

Meanwhile 4^th Austrian corps send their cavalry to pin the Bavarian square

The leading (grenadier) brigade is ordered to attack the square

1400-1500  

The Austrian grenadier brigade rout the square with 30% casualties

Artillery exchange fire, but no casualties

Oudinot orders 10^th corps to retreat and 11^th corps to withdraw inside Augsburg

Bavarian rout

The Austrians win the fight for the hill

7 Bavarian brigade (left) lose melee and rout with 1200 casualties

6 Bavarian brigade (on hill) already have 800 casualties

There is only one Bavarian brigade left to face four Austrian brigades

Conclusion

With the loss of the hill Oudinot orders 10^th corps to retreat

11^th corps are ordered to withdraw into Augsburg and prepare for a siege

Outcome

The Austrians have won

One Bavarian corps has retreated

The second Bavarian corps will attempt to hold Augsburg

Battle Summary

The Austrians faced a difficult problem

The Bavarians held both the city of Augsburg and the river Lech

The Austrians plan is to march around the city, cross downriver and attack the hill

It takes them all of the first day for one corps to cross the river

Meanwhile they concentrate their artillery and pound the Bavarian held hill

4^th Austrian corps attack an isolated Bavarian brigade

Their cavalry force them to form square and the infantry attack in force

The Bavarians order two infantry brigades to leave the town and support the hill

However before they arrive Oudinot orders them back to the city

10^th Bavarian corps, who held the hill, are ordered to retreat

Augsburg is the main Bavarian supply depot, and must be held at all costs

11^th Bavarian corps, who held the city, are ordered to prepare for a siege

Bavarians lose 2000 casualties

Austrians lose no casualties