15 October 1813 – Battle of Holzkirchen

Tactical map of battle area

Two days earlier the first battle of Holzkichen had ended in an Austrian victory

However 9^th and 10^th Bavarian corps had retreated in good order

They were ordered to hold Holzkirchen at all costs

2^nd and 3^rd Austrian corps were short of supplies and could not pursue

They halted for one day to resupply and were then ordered to attack again

Bavarians – 22800 infantry, 900 cavalry, 32 guns

Austrians – 18000 infantry, 1800 cavalry, 58 guns

Table at start of battle

9^th and 10^th Bavarian corps are in position in the centre of the table

2^nd and 3^rd Austrian corps are advancing in column of march

Schwartzenberg has taken command of the two cavalry brigades

The Bavarians are stronger in infantry

But they have only one cavalry and one artillery brigade

The Austrians have two cavalry and two artillery brigades

Move 1 : 0800-0900

The Bavarian cavalry withdraw out of charge range of the Austrian cavalry

The Bavarian artillery open fire on the Austrian gunners, but no casualties

Austrian cavalry and 2^nd corps advance

3^rd corps artillery advance, infantry move onto hill out of artillery range

Move 2 : 0900-1000

2nd Austrian corps advance

3^rd Austrian infantry advance on hill, gunners unlimber

Schwartzenberg sends one cavalry brigade to threaten enemy gunners

Move 3 : 1000-1100

Austrian artillery open fire, no casualties

Reserve cavalry and 3^rd corps infantry reach edge of hill

9^th Bavarian corps artillery wait for enemy to come within range

Move 4 : 1100-1200

3^rd Austrian corps advance

Reserve cavalry move within charge range of gunners

2^nd Austrian corps artillery fire on town, no casualties

10^th Bavarian infantry advance to support garrison

Move 5 : 1200-1300

Austrian hussars charge gunners

Artillery fire, but no casualties

Hussars charge home and rout gunners with 20% casualties

3^rd Austrian corps infantry advance

Artillery unlimber within short range of farm

2^nd Austrian corps artillery fire on garrison, no casualties

10^th Bavarian infantry continue to advance.

Move 6 : 1300-1400

Austrian hussars retreat to rejoin reserve cavalry

3^rd Austrian corps infantry continue to advance

Corps artillery fire on farm, no casualties

2^nd Austrian corps artillery fire on garrison, 10% casualties

Garrison pass morale test, but are shaken

9^th Bavarian corps artillery continue to rout

Move 7 : 1400-1500

3^rd Austrian corps infantry and artillery fire on farm, no casualties

2^nd Austrian corps artillery fire on garrison, 10% casualties

Infantry deploy into line to deter enemy infantry

Garrison of city pass morale test for artillery casualties

Move 8 : 1500-1600

3^rd Austrian corps artillery fire on farm, no casualties

Austrian infantry fire on garrison, inflict 10% casualties

2^nd Austrian corps fire on town garrison, inflict 10% casualties

9^th Bavarian garrison of farm fail morale test for 10% casualties and rout

Reserve infantry also fail morale due to 20% casualties and also rout

Cavalry fail morale due to 10% casualties and also rout

10^th Bavarian garrison of town fail morale due to 20% casualties and rout

Supporting infantry also fail morale and also rout

Conclusion

9^th and 10^th Bavarian corps started the battle with battle casualties

They were unable to withstand close range artillery fire

Once one brigade failed morale and routed it soon spread

The Bavarians have lost 1100 casualties and have six brigades in rout

The Austrians have lost no casualties