2 April 1813 – Battle of Branau

Tactical map of battle area

Branau is a walled city and is not occupied by either side, it has no military garrison

 

Both 2^nd Austrian and 8^th Bavarian armies have deployed outside Branau

They have spent a day deploying and preparing to attack

 

Bavarian –7 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Austrian – 7 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Start of move 1

Branau is a fortified city, but it does not have a military garrison

Only infantry can fight in the city, cavalry and artillery can pass through on the road

Entry to the city is only allowed through one of the four gates

Infantry movement rate within the city is 4”

 

Both armies are deployed 12 inches from their table edge

 

Bavarian CinC has taken command of two infantry brigades centre left

Austrian CinC has taken command of two infantry brigades centre right

End of move 2

Bavarian reserve is approaching city gate on the left

11^th corps is approaching the woods south of the city

12^th corps is advancing north of the city

 

Austrian reserve is approaching city gate on the right

3^rd corps is moving towards the woods south of the city

4^th corps is advancing north of the city

End of move 4

Both armies are now in contact

 

In the north 4^th Austrian corps have deployed and opened fire

12^th Bavarian corps are still moving into position

Their leading infantry brigade have suffered 10% casualties

They have passed their morale test and hold their ground

 

In the centre both reserves have entered the city

The buildings have been removed to track movement

The two leading brigades are slightly ahead of the second brigades

 

In the south 11^th Bavarian corps have sent one infantry brigade into the woods

They come under artillery fire, suffer 10% casualties and retreat out of the woods

3^rd Austrian corps now send their own infantry forward towards the woods

End of move 6

In the north the cavalry melee was a draw, both withdraw with 10% casualties

The Austrian infantry are advancing and threaten the Bavarian gunners

 

In the centre the battle for the city continues

The Bavarians have lost the melee in the north and rout with 20% casualties

 

In the south the Austrians advance

The melee in the woods continues, both sides have suffered 10% casualties

The Austrian artillery are redeploying and their cavalry have advanced

End of move 8

In the north 12^th Baden corps are in retreat

Their corps artillery and one infantry brigade are in rout

Their cavalry are covering the retreat

 

In the centre the Bavarians have lost the battle for the city

Both infantry brigades are in rout

 

In the south the battle is still undecided

Both brigades in the woods have lost 20% casualties, but both continue to fight

The cavalry melee continues with both sides having lost 10% casualties

 

Summary

Massena has lost the city and the battle in the north

He also has four brigades in rout

The Austrians have won the battle

 

The Bavarians have lost 9 infantry, 3 cavalry and 2 artillery casualties (4100 men)

The Austrians have lost 6 infantry and 2 cavalry casualties (4100 men)