5 July 1813 – Battle of Reisbach

 

Tactical map of battle area

2^nd Austrian army attack Reisbach

8^th French army have orders to hold Reisbach

 

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

French occupy Reisbach, but supports are in the hills behind

24 corps – advance over hill on the left

23 corps – occupy Reisbach

22 corps – advance over hill on the right

 

Austrians advance in column of march

6 corps – advance to left of farm

5 corps – advance towards town

CinC – has taken command of artillery and infantry from 4 corps

4 corps – advance through woods on the right

End of move 2

French advance to support town

24 corps –  advance towards hill on the left

23 corps –  garrison town, artillery and cavalry advance to left of town

22 corps –  advance towards gap between town and hill

CinC – takes command of half of 26 corps

 

Austrian artillery concentrate towards town

6 corps – advance towards hill, cavalry and artillery towards town

5 corps – advance towards town

CinC –  advance towards town

4 corps –  advance towards hill on the right

End of move 4

French deploy either side of town

24 corps –  halt and deploy on the northern side of the left hill

23 corps –  garrison of half of town fail morale and retreate shaken

22 corps –  halt and deploy on the northern side of the right hill

CinC – halt and deploy to the right of 26 corps

 

Austrians attack town

6 corps – halt and deploy on southern side of left hill

5 corps – gunners retreat shaken due to fire from garrison

CinC – artillery hit garrison who retire shaken

4 corps –  halt and deploy on southern side of right hill

End of move 6

French continue to hold left half of town

24 corps –  artillery hit enemy gunners  

23 corps –  garrison hold despite 20% casualties

22 corps –  wait for Austrian attack

CinC –  cavalry lose melee and rout

 

Austrians attack hill on right

6 corps – gunners rout with 20% casualties  

5 corps – continue to attack town

CinC – support 4 corps attack

4 corps –  infantry attack over hill

End of move 8

French withdraw from town

24 corps – French wait for Austrians to attack    

23 corps –  Infantry withdraw from town

22 corps –  Jager brigade lose melee with cavalry

CinC –  form square against cavalry

 

Austrians capture all of town

6 corps –   Rallied gunners return towards guns

5 corps –  Capture toiwn, guns redeploy to the left

CinC – Takes cavalry behind French flank and attacks infantry

4 corps – Advance over hill on right

End of move 10

French order general retreat

24 corps – retreat because ordered to do so    

23 corps –  abandon the town and retreat

22 corps –  retreat

CinC –  retreat with 22 corps

 

Austrians capture all of town

6 corps –  pursue retreating enemy

5 corps –  occupy town

CinC – move with 4 corps

4 corps – pursue retreating enemy

Summary

Despite relatively light casualties the French retreat with four brigades in rout

The Austrians have occupied the town and pursue the French

The French have lost 5 infantry and 3 cavalry casualties (2300 men)

The Austrians have lost 4 infantry and 4 artillery casualties (2000 men)