4 October 1813 – Battle of Wassenburg

Tactical map of battle area

The Bavarians have crossed the river Isar further south at Rosenheim

They already hold the bridge at Wassenburg

Oudinot orders 10^th corps to hold the bridge at Wassenburg  

2^nd Austrian corps attack Bavarians to drive them back over river Isar

The river Isar is not fordable, except by using one of the bridges

Bavarians– 12000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

Austrians – 12000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

Table at start of battle

2^nd Austrian corps is in and around Traunreut

10^th Bavarian corps hold the bridge

The town of Wassenburg itself is off table on the left

Move 1 : 0800-0900

Bavarians move first

They hold waiting to see where the Austrians will attack

Austrians move second

The whole corps move to the left of the pass

Their 8^th infantry brigade is the garrison of Traunreut

Move 2 : 0900-1000

Austrians move first

They advance in column because they can move faster in that formation

Bavarians move second

They swing to their right

Cavalry move to take up position on the right of the corps

They want to take up position between the hill and the river

Their infantry are already in column of attack

Move 3 : 1000-1100

Bavarians move first

Extend their line and move forward

Austrian move second

Infantry form column of attack

Cavalry form line

Artillery advance

Move 4 : 1100-1200

Austrians move first

Artillery unlimber

Cavalry advance

Infantry halt

Bavarians move second

Minor adjustment to straighten their deployment

Move 5 : 1200-1300

Bavarians move first

Artillery fire on infantry (need 8 for hit) no casualties

                                                   

Austrians move second

Artillery fire on cavalry (need 9 for hit) no casualties

Cavalry advance within charge move of enemy cavalry

Grenadiers form square to protect gunners

Move 6 : 1300-1400

Bavarians move first     

Artillery fire on infantry again, no casualties

Cavalry charge enemy cavalry

Lose melee (roll 4 with 2D6), lose 10% casualties and shaken

Austrians move second

Artillery fire on infantry, no casualties

Infantry advance

Cavalry lose 10% casualties but only disordered

Move 7 : 1400-1500

Bavarians move first

Their shaken cavalry rout to avoid melee, lose another 10% casualties

Nearby square pass morale test for rout

Other two infantry brigades form line

Austrians move second

Artillery fire on square, no casualties

Cavalry charge and rout gunners

Nearby infantry square fire on cavalry who receive 10% casualties

Other two infantry brigades advance in column of attack

Grenadier brigade is shaken and cannot advance with them

Move 8 : 1500-1600

Austrians move first

Artillery fire on square, no casualties

Two infantry brigades continue to advance

Grenadier brigade rally from shaken

Disordered cavalry return to general to rally

Bavarians move second

Routed cavalry and artillery continue to rout over bridge

Infantry hold their ground and wait for Austrians to advance

Move 9 : 1600-1700

Bavarians move first

Cavalry and gunners continue to rout

Grenadiers in square receive artillery fire and lose 10% casualties

Austrians move second

Artillery hit infantry square and cause 10% casualties

Cavalry and grenadiers rally and both advance

Forward two infantry brigades form line and advance into musket range

 

Move 10 : 1700-1800

Austrians move first

Left brigade fires on square who rout

Right hand brigade is out of musket range

Gunners limber and advance            

Grenadiers and cavalry both advance

Bavarians move second

Light infantry brigade move forward and fire on right hand Austrian brigade

Austrians receive 20% casualties and rout

Left hand brigade tests morale for rout, fails and routs

Grenadier brigade test morale for rout, fails and is shaken

Cavalry test morale for rout, fail and is shaken

Conclusion

At the end of move 9 the Austrians look certain to win

By the end of move 10 two of their brigades are in rout and two more shaken

The Bavarians are also in trouble

Three of their five brigades are in rout

However at the end of the battle they still hold the bridge

The Bavarians are the victors.

The Bavarians have lost 1800 casualties and three brigades in rout

The Austrians have lost 1700 casualties two brigades in rout