23 May 1813 – Battle of Walchsee

Tactical map of battle area

1^st  Austrian army attack on Walchsee

7^th Bavarian army defend Walchsee

Both armies are full strength and deployed and ready for battle

 

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

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

Table at start of battle

This photo is taken from the same direction as the map

Bavarians are on the left, Austrians on the right

General Klenau has created a reserve in the centre of two brigades from each corps

Marshal Massena has reinforced the town garrison with one brigade from each corps

Table at start of battle

This photo is taken from behind the Austrian army looking towards Walchsee

Previously photos of the table were always taken from the same direction as the map

This is an experiment to see if the progress of the game is clearer from behind the attacker.

End of move 2

Austrians advance

1^st corps enter woods with cavalry on their right

Reserve advance in column of march

2^nd corps deploy between village and woods

 

Bavarians react to Austrian deployment

9^th corps artillery unlimber to engage Austrian reserve

Reserve wait to see how Austrian advance develops

10^th corps cavalry and artillery advance between village and hill

End of move 4

Austrian lose cavalry melee

1^st corps deploy in woods, cavalry are shaken but pass morale test

Reserve form column of attack

2^nd corps artillery duel with Bavarian gunners

 

Bavarian gunners open fire

9^th corps artillery fire on infantry, no casualties

Reserve wait  for Austrian attack

10^th corps fire on Austrian gunners, no casualties

End of move 6

Austrian advance to attack town

1^st corps artillery hit Bavarian cavalry, own cavalry advance

Reserve advance towards town

2^nd corps infantry enter town, artillery manhandle into range of cavalry

 

Bavarians retreat

9^th corps cavalry retreat shaken with 20% casualties

Reserve infantry advance counter Austrian attack

10^th corps artillery and cavalry retreat out of artillery range

End of move 8

Austrians attack

1^st corps advance

Reserve lose first melee in town

2^nd corps artillery advance

 

Bavarians withdraw either side of town

9^th corps fail to rally cavalry and continue to withdraw

Reserve win first round of melee in town

10^th corps artillery and cavalry withdraw out of artillery range

End of move 10

Austrians take half of town

1^st  corps break and rout 9^th Bavarian corps

Reserve take right half of town

2^nd corps halt to face 10^th Bavarian corps attack

 

Bavarians hold half of town at nightfall

9^th corps are in rout

Reserve hold left half of town, but rout from right half

10^th corps cavalry and artillery advance to pin 2^nd Austrian corps

Summary

At nightfall the Bavarians hold area left of cross roads

However with 6 brigades in rout they have to retreat during darkness

Austrians win the battle

Bavarians have lost 8 infantry, 2 cavalry and 1 gunner casualties (3500 men)

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