25 May 1813 – Battle of Worgl

 

Tactical map of battle area

3^rd Austrian army launch a surprise attack on Worgl

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

 

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

French are deployed on the left, either side of Worgl

There are two militia brigades in the town

General Victor has created a reserve of two infantry and artillery in the centre

 

3^rd Austrian army is off table on the right

They will enter the table at the start of move 1

End of move 2

Austrians enter the table

5^th corps advance on the right

General Klenau has created a reserve of two infantry and artillery in the centre

6^th corps cavalry have charged French lancers, lost melee and retreated shaken

 

French redeploy and win first cavalry melee

17^th corps advance on the right and occupy village

Reserve form column of attack and advance

18^th corps move down from hill, counter charge and rout Austrian dragoons

End of move 4

Austrians deploy

5^th corps advance their right

Reserve deploy artillery and form square

6^th corps occupy farm and rally cavalry on hill

 

French advance

17^th corps occupy village and deploy artillery

Reserve unlimber and form square

18^th corps advance to attack

End of move 6

Widespread Austrian hand to hand fighting

5^th corps infantry melee to right of village, cavalry to left

Reserve artillery support 5^th corps

6^th corps reinforce melee for farm, cavalry rout

 

French cavalry and infantry rout

17^th corps artillery and village garrison retreat

Reserve cavalry and infantry rout

18^th corps attack walled farm

End of move 8

Austrians take village (top right)

5^th corps take village, but lose three brigades in rout

Reserve rout French reserve

6^th corps hold farm but lose two brigades in rout

 

French retreat to Worgl

17^th corps rout, only one brigade left to cover retreat

Reserve lose artillery and one brigade, second brigade retreats to join town garrison

18^th corps fail to take farm and retreat with three brigades in rout

 

Summary

Both armies have lost heavy casualties

 

At nightfall the French still hold Worgl

They have lost their cavalry and artillery and have 9 brigades in rout

However they reinforce the garrison of Worgl with three infantry brigades

 

The Austrians have lost their cavalry, but still have their artillery

They have five brigades in rout

But they are too weak to attempt to attack a strongly held walled town

 

The French have lost 9 infantry. 7 cavalry and 1 artillery casualties (4400 men)

The Austrians have lost 10 infantry and 5 cavalry casualties (4500 men)