7 October 1813 – Battle of Wassenburg

Tactical map of battle area

Schwartzenberg is in a desperate situation.   Having lost two battles he needs time to concentrate and regroup his army at Traunstein.  

                                              

He is aware that Oudinot has serious supply problems, and must also regroup and reinforce his corps around Rosenheim.

To disrupt Bavarian preparations he orders 2^nd corps to attack 10^th Bavarian corps in front of Wassenburg.  

Bavarian – 7600 infantry, 900 cavalry, 27 guns

Austrian – 9600 infantry, 900 cavalry, 30 guns

Table at start of battle

The town on the left is Traunreut

Wassenburg is off table on the left

2^nd Austrian corps have orders to attack the Bavarians

10^th Bavarian corps have orders to hold the bridge

Move 1 : 0800-0900

Austrians move first

All move to the left of the pass

Only one brigade is in column of attack, to defend the artillery

The rest of the corps is in column of march to move faster

Bavarians move second

Corps deploy to their left to hold from the river to the hill

Move 2 : 0900-1000

Austrians move first

Artillery is a little exposed in front of the rest of the corps

Cavalry deploy into line in case the Bavarian cavalry attack the guns

                             

Bavarians move second

Infantry deploy either side of the artillery

Cavalry move forward, possibly to threaten the gunners

Move 3 : 1000-1100

Bavarians move first

Artillery fire on square, no casualties

Cavalry move south to counter Austrian cavalry

Austrians move second

Artillery unlimber

Infantry form square to protect gunners

Cavalry advance

Move 4 : 1100-1200

Austrians move first

Artillery fire on cavalry, no casualties

Infantry advance in column of attack to move faster

Cavalry advance, but remain out of artillery range

Bavarians move second

Cavalry retreat away from enemy artillery

Artillery fire on square, no casualties

Move 5 : 1200-1300

Bavarians move first

Artillery fire on square, no casualties

Austrians move second

Artillery fire on cavalry, no casualties

Infantry and cavalry advance

Move 6 : 1300-1400

Bavarians move first

Artillery fire on square, cause 10% casualties

Austrians move second

Artillery fire on cavalry, no casualties

Square pass morale test for 20% casualties

Infantry and cavalry continue to advance

Move 7 : 1400-1500

Austrians move first

Artillery hit Bavarian cavalry and cause 10% casualties

Infantry and cavalry all advance

Bavarians move second

Artillery fire on grenadier brigade, no casualties

Cavalry pass morale test for 20% casualties

Cavalry are disordered and cannot charge approaching dragoons

Move 8 : 1500-1600

Austrians move first

Artillery is screened by their own infantry and cannot fire

Dragoons charge and rout Bavarian cavalry

Infantry advance       

Right hand brigade lose fire fight and rout with 40% casualties

Nearby grenadier brigade pass morale test for rout

Bavarians move second

Artillery fire on nearest infantry but cause no casualties

Cavalry lose melee and rout over bridge

Infantry in line advance and win fire fight with right hand Austrian brigade

Move 9 : 1600-1700

Bavarians move first

Artillery hit grenadiers who lose 10% casualties

Square fires on grenadiers who lose another 10% casualties

Austrians move second

Artillery screened by routing infantry

Cavalry screened by advancing infantry

Grenadiers test morale for loss of 20% casualties, fail and rout

Move 10 : 1700-1800

Bavarians move first      

Artillery fire on gunners, no casualties

Jager brigade deploy from square to line

Infantry brigade form square to protect gunners

Austrians move second

Artillery fire on new square, no casualties

Infantry lose firefight with Jagers and are shaken with 20% casualties

Cavalry advance when routed grenadiers retreat

Grenadiers pass morale test and are disordered

Move 11 : 1800-1900

Bavarians move first

Artillery fire on gunners, no casualties

Jager brigade continue firefight, 10% more casualties each

Austrians move second

Artillery fire on square, no casualties

Cavalry and grenadier brigade both move forward

Move 12 : 1900-2000

Austrians move first

Artillery fire on square, no casualties

Cavalry charge Jagers in line, win melee and rally

Grenadier brigade continue to advance

Line brigade retreat from firefight, shaken and with 30% casualties

Bavarians move second

Jagers lose melee with cavalry and rout with 40% casualties

Gunners seek shelter in nearby infantry square

Conclusion

Both sides have suffered heavy casualties

However at nightfall the Bavarians still hold the bridge

They have one full strength infantry brigade, and the gunners

One Austrian brigade is in rout with 40% casualties

A second is shaken with 30% casualties

The third has rallied with 20% casualties

The cavalry are formed but also have 20% casualties

Only the gunners are full strength

The Bavarians have won the battle

The Bavarians have lost 2600 casualties and one brigade in rout

The Austrians have lost 1500 casualties and two brigades in rout