4 July 1813 – Battle of Dingolfing

Tactical map of battle area

In the north of the campaign area Marshal Massena, commanding 7^th French army, is deployed in and around Dingolfing on the Landshut-Ratisbon border.   One corps is in the town, the remaining two further west to ease resupply

The whole Austrian army has moved up to the district border under cover of darkness.   At first light General Schwarzenberg, commanding 1^st Austrian army. will attack Dingolfing

French – 12 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery

Austrian –12 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

Both armies at start of battle

Massena – has taken command of the right half of the town

21 Bavarian corps – on the left between farm and woods

20 Bavarian corps – deployed in and around Dingolfing

19 Bavarian corps – on the right between two woods

 

Schwarzenberg – with 2^nd corps in the centre

3^rd Austrian corps – on left behind village

2^nd Austrian corps – in the centre

1^st Austrian corps – on the right of farm

 

End of move 2

Bavarians advance towards the town

Austrians deploy either side of town

Both armies are out of long range artillery fire

 

21 Bavarian – advance to road on left of town

20 Bavarian – hold left half of town

Massena – holds right half of town

19 Bavarian – advance to road on right of town

 

Schwarzenburg – advance to right of road

3^rd corps – advance through and either side of village on left

2^nd corps – advance to left of road

1^st corps – advance to right of farm

End of move 4

Artillery open fire

French attack on the right

 

21 Bavarian – artillery open fire, no hits

20 Bavarian – garrison receive 10% casualties, pass morale test

Massena – awaits attack on town

19 Bavarian – cavalry lose melee and rout, taking nearest infantry brigade with them

 

1 corps – advance through village to avoid artillery fire

2 corps – artillery hit left hand town section causing 10% casualties

Schwarzenburg – leads attack in support of 3 corps

1 corps – attack through woods on right, cavalry win melee and rout enemy

End of move 6

French abandon left half of town

Austrians advance through woods on right

Schwarzenburg retreats after failed attack

 

21 Bavarian –  Gunners receive 10% casualties but pass morale test

20 Bavarian – Bavarians abandon town, but rally

Massena – holds right half of town and withdraws supports

19 Bavarian – rally routed brigades, remainder redeploy between town and woods

 

3 corps – infantry approach woods   

2 corps – advance towards town

Schwarzenburg –   rallies reserve

1 corps – Rout enemy cavalry and pursue retreating infantry

End of move 8

French counter attack left of town

Austrians fight in woods on right

Schwarzenburg rallies and moves to support 3 corps on right

 

21 Bavarian – fight to retake woods on the left

20 Bavarian – counter attack left half of town

Massena – fight to hold right half of town

19 Bavaian – fight to hold area between town and woods on right

 

3 corps – infantry enter woods and engage in skirmish fight

2 corps – infantry enter left half of town and skirmish with counter attack

Schwarzenburg – engage right half of town and support 1 corps

1 corps – attack between town and right hand woods

End of move 10

Austrians capture town

French retreat

 

21 Bavarian – infantry abandon woods and retreat

20 Bavarian –   counter attack on town fails

Massena –   cavalry routed, infantry withdraw from right half of town

19 Bavarian – corps broken and retreat

 

3 corps – infantry take woods

2 corps – infantry occupy left half of town

Schwarzenburg – infantry win skirmish fight and enter right half of town

1 corps – pursue retreating Bavarians

 

Summary

The Austrians have won a convincing victory

They have captured Dingolfing and routed the Baden corps

Massena orders a general retreat

 

The French have lost 12 infantry, 3 cavalry and 1 artillery casualties (5100 men)

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