22 May 1813 – Battle of Kitzbuhel

Tactical map of battle area

3^rd Austrian army launch a surprise attack on Kitzbuhel

9^th French army have orders to advance and hold Kitzbuhel

 

French – 9 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Austrian – 8 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

9^th French army is deployed on the left, either side of the town of Kitzbuhel

Marshal Victor has added one brigade from each corps to the garrison

3^rd Austrian army is off table on the right.   They will enter table at the start of move 1

End of move 2

The French have advanced either side of the town

 

The Austrians have entered on the right

General Merveldt has taken command in the centre

He has taken two brigades from each corps to create an elite reserve to attack the town

 

End of move 4

The French are in position and await the Austrian attack

 

The Austrians are competing their deployment

5^th corps artillery are within short range of town

HQ reserve have formed column of attack

6^th corps artillery moving on to hill, remainder of corps in position

End of move 6

French artillery open fire

17^th corps cavalry lose melee and retreat shaken

Garrison receive 10% casualties, pass morale

18^th corps advance to eastern side of pass

 

Austrian artillery open fire

5^th corps hussars charge and rout French cuirassiers

HQ reserve infantry advance to skirmish garrison, lose 10% casualties

6^th corps artillery deploy on hill

End of move 8

French fighting to hold town

17^th corps artillery routed with 10% casualties

HQ reserve losing battle for northern half of town

18^th corps move onto eastern side of pass

 

Austrians fight for northern half of town

5^th corps cavalry charge and rout French gunners

HQ reserve fight their way into northern half of town

6^th corps artillery fire on French gunners

End of move 10

French have lost northern half of town

17^th corps artillery routed, remainder of corps retreat

HQ reserve hold southern half of town, but two brigades routed from northern half

18^th corps continue artillery duel, but  no damage done

 

Austrians have taken northern half of town

5^th corps advance in pursuit of retreating 17^th French corps

HQ reserve have taken northern half of town with light casualties

All four brigades are now in position to attack southern half of town

6^th corps exchange artillery fire and are prepared to pin 18^th Austrian corp

End of move 12

French have lost town, 5 brigades in rout

17^th corps have retreated out of range

HQ reserve have lost town, all three infantry brigades in rout

18^th corps continue to exchange artillery fire, no casualties on either side

 

Austrians have taken Kitzbuhel

5^th corps hold position in support of town

HQ reserve have taken town,  two brigades in garrison and two in reserve

6^th corps artillery hit garrison and cause 10% casualties

 

Summary

The Austrians have taken the town and won the game

The French have lost 9 infantry. 1 cavalry and 1 artillery casualties (3800 men)

The Austrians have lost 3 infantry and 1 cavalry casualties (1300 men)