3 August 1813 – Battle of Wendlestein

Tactical map of battle area

Schwartzenberg has ordered 3^rd and 4^th corps to attack Wendlestein at first light.

Both corps have detached one brigade on garrison duty

The town is held by 11^th Bavarian corps, which is full strength

Oudinot has ordered 9^th corps to move to support them at first light

He is marching with 9^th corps, who will arrive on the battlefield at 1300 (move 5)

Austrian – 24000 infantry, 2000 cavalry, 60 guns

Bavarian – 28000 infantry, 2000 cavalry, 60 guns

Table at start of wargame

11^th Bavarian corps are in and around Wendelstein (top centre)

9^th Bavarian corps is off table (top left) and will arrive at the start of move 5

3^rd and 4^th Austrian corps are off table (bottom) and will arrive at the start of move 1

0800-1200

11^th Bavarian artillery have deployed to the right of the town

They have fired on the Austrian gunners, but not achieved any casualties

9^th Bavarian corps is about to enter the table top left

3^rd Austrian corps are approaching the town in column of march

4^th Austrian corps have deployed out of artillery range

They are about to advance in column of attack

Their artillery have unlimbered and are about to open fire

Their cavalry have halted out of artillery range

1200-1400

3^rd Austrian corps halt and form column at approach of 9^th Bavarian corps

Their artillery fire on town and cause garrison 10% casualties

4^th Austrian corps artillery fire on Bavarian hussars, who retire shaken

Cavalry then charge gunners, who evade and seek shelter in the town

Infantry advance towards town

Oudinot moves to rally shaken hussars

11^th Bavarian corps continue to hold town

9^th Bavarian corps arrive and move towards town

Their cavalry advance to right of village to threaten 3^rd Austrian corps

1400-1600

3^rd Austrian corps cavalry charge and rout the Bavarian dragoons

This is sufficient to delay the deployment of 9^th Bavarian corps

Their artillery continue to pound the town and cause casualties to the garrison

4^th Austrian corps charge the left hand section of the town and rout the garrison

This causes the Bavarian reserve infantry to join the rout

The garrison of the right hand section are shaken.

Conclusion

With the loss of Wendlestein Oudinot orders a general retreat

9^th corps are now in place to cover the retreat, despite the loss of their cavalry.

The Bavarians have lost 2800 casualties and three brigades in rout

The Austrians have lost 1200 casualties