24 May 1813 – Battle of Sankt Johann

 

 

Tactical map of battle area

2^nd Austrian army attack Sankt Johann

11^th Bavarian army have orders to hold Sankt Johann

River Inn can only be crossed by bridge

 

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

         

8^th Bavarian army is deployed on the left

The walled town is Sankt Johan

Oudinot has reinforced the garrison with one brigade from each corps

11^th Bavarian corps is at the top

12^th Baden corps is at the bottom

 

2^nd Austrian army is off table on the right

They will enter the table at the start of move 1.

End of move 2

The rest of the photos are taken behind the attacking Austrian army

 

Austrians enter table and advance towards town

3^rd corps are on the right

Gyulai has taken command of the grenadier brigade from each corps

4^th corps are on the left between the river and the hills

 

Bavarians react to the Austrian advance

11^th corps move their cavalry and artillery down from the hill

Reserve wait in the town

12^th corps move their cavalry forward and unlimber artillery

 

End of move 4

Austrians advance, but infantry and cavalry halt outside artillery range

3^rd corps artillery open fire on Bavarian cavalry, no hits

Reserve halt in pass to remain out of enemy artillery fire

4^th corps artillery unlimber but are only in range of enemy artillery

 

Bavarian artillery open fire, but  no casualties

11^th corps artillery fire on gunners, no hits

Reserve wait for enemy to attack town

12^th corpsartillery fire on gunners, no hits

End of move 6

Austrian prepare to attack

3^rd corps artillery fire, remainder advance into the plain

Reserve wait  in pass, but must  soon advance

4^th corps artillery fire but no casualties

 

Bavarians wait for Austrians to advance

11^th corps artillery fire, no casualties

Reserve wait in and around town

12^th corps artillery fire, no casualties

End of move 8

Austrians attack

3^rd corps cavalry lose melee, but rally and move onto hill

Reserve advance to skirmish with town garrison

4^th corps cavalry win melee and rout Baden cavalry

 

Bavarians hold their position

11^th corps cavalry regroup having won melee

Town garrison prepare for attack

12^th corps infantry form square to cover rout of their cavalry

End of move 10

Austrians press home attack

3^rd corps artillery fire at close range on town, cavalry lose melee and rout

Reserve skirmish with garrison, lose 10% casualties but pass morale test

4^th corps break Baden corps

 

Bavarians lose heavily but continue to hold town

11^th corps cavalry rout Bavarian cavalry

Garrison win initial skirmish at  town

12^th corps lose cavalry, artillery and one infantry brigade in rout

End of move 12

Austrians take town and rout Baden corps

3^rd corps artillery fire on town and rout garrison

Reserve storm town and rout garrison

4 th corps artillery fire on town and rout garrison

 

Bavarians lose town and retreat

11^th corps hold hill and fire on square causing 10% casualties

Reserve send third brigade in to town, all three brigades rout

12^th corps lose five brigades in rout , one square left  to cover retgreat

Summary

Towards the end of the day both Austrian artillery open on town at  close range

Reserve grenadier brigades storm town and rout  garrison

 

Baden corps lose five of its six brigades to rout, remaining infantry square covers retreat

 

Decisive Austrian victory

 

The Bavarians have lost 5 infantry, 2 cavalry and one artillery casualties (2300 men)

The Austrians have lost 2 infantry and 2 cavalry casualties (1000 men)