26 May 1813 – Battle of Obersdorf

Tactical map of battle area

1^st Austrian army attack Obersdorf

7^th Bavarian army defend Obersdorf, with 40 and 41 militia in Obersdorf

 

Bavarian – 10 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

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

Table at start of battle

Massena has deployed 7^th Bavarian army on the left in front of Obersdorf

Garrison of the town are 40 and 41 militia brigades

He has created a reserve in the centre of 3 infantry brigades and 10^th corps artillery

 

Klenau’s 1^st Austrian army is off table on the right

They will arrive on the table at  the start of move 1

End of move 2

Austrians arrive on table (bottom)

1^st corps advance to the right of the farm

Reserve of two grenadier brigades and 2^nd corps artillery in centre

2^nd corps advance between hill and main road

 

Bavarians react to Austrian arrival

9^th corps infantry and cavalry move into woods

Reserve concentrate between the woods and main road

10^th corps wait to see what Austrians will do

End of move 4

Austrians lose first cavalry melee

1^st corps cavalry charge Bavarian cavalry, lose melee and rout

Reserve unlimber artillery at close range to Bavarian gunners

2^nd corps advance

 

Bavarians react to Austrian advance

9^th corps occupy woods on right

Reserve wait for Austrian advance

10^th corps deploy behind fortified farm on left

End of move 6

Austrians press home their attack

1^st corps force enemy to withdraw from the woods on the right

Reserve artillery hit gunners who retire shaken

2^nd corps win cavalry melee and enemy withdraw shaken

 

Bavarians start to withdraw to Obersdorf

9^th corps artillery and cavalry are shaken, infantry withdraw from woods

Reserve artillery continue to fire, but no casualties

10^th corps cavalry shaken, infantry retreat to hill behind fortified farm

End of move 8

Austrians continue to attack

1^st corps pass through woods

Reserve infantry advance towards town

2^nd corps advance towards town

 

Bavarians in retreat

9^th corps cavalry rout, remainder retreat towards town

Reserve retreat towards town

10^th corps retreat to hill, cavalry and one infantry brigade routed

 

Summary

The Bavarian army is in retreat to the town

Both cavalry brigades and one infantry brigade is in rout

They claim victory because they still hold the town

 

The whole Austrian army is advancing in pursuit

One cavalry brigade is in rout

The Bavarians have lost 1 infantry, 2 cavalry and 1 artillerty casualties (700 men)

The Austrians have lost 2 cavalry casualties (200 men)