Battle of Wels - 10th September 1813

Tactical Map at start of battle

Far Left – French reserve have orders to support 9^th corps

Left – 9^th French corps have orders to attack Wels

Right – 3^rd Austrian corps have orders to redeploy

Far Right – Austrian reserve have orders to support 3^rd corps

Table at start of battle

Top left unnamed village

Centre left is the town of Vockabruck

The road north leads to Raab

The road west leads to Frankenburg

The road east leads to Wels

The road south leads to Withering

French                                     Austrian         

8960 infantry                          9040 infantry             

1160 cavalry                           1160 cavalry              

1200 gunner’s                         1200 gunners

2^nd French division - one brigade has 10% casualties

4^th French division - one brigade has 10% casualties

12^th Baden division - every brigade has between 10% and 20% casualties

5^th Austrian division – one brigade has 10% casualties

6^th Austrian division – one infantry brigade has 20% and the cavalry 10% casualties

7^th Austrian division – full strength

Special Rules

4^th French division will arrive at the start of move 5

7^th Austrian division will arrive at the start of move 5

5^th Austrian division will arrive at the start of move 9

Move 1 – 0800 to 0900

Left – French

Both divisions are delayed by having to advance through built up area

Right – Austrian

6^th division ordered to Hold and deploy

Move 2 – 0900 to 1000

Left – French

Both divisions ordered to deploy

Right – Austrian

Deployment complete but enemy out of artillery range

General Lederer leaves to meet 7^th division

Move 3 – 1000 to 1100

Left – French

Both divisions start to deploy

2^nd division artillery unlimber

Right – Austrian

Enemy still out of artillery range

Move 4 – 1100 to 1200

Left – French

Both divisions have cleared the built up area

French have 12 pounder guns and are within long range of Austrians

Open fire, but no casualties

Right – Austrian

French are still out of range of lighter Austrian guns

Move 5 – 1200 to 1300

Left - French

4^th division arrives and moves to right of 12^th division

2^nd and 12^th divisions continue to deploy

Right – Austrian

7^th division arrives and moves to right of 6^th division

Move 6 – 1300 to 1400

Left – French

12^th division (top) are ordered to Hold, too fragile to advance and engage enemy

2^nd division (centre) continue to fire on enemy and prepare to advance

4^th division (bottom) advance towards farm

Right – Austrian

7^th division (top) advance and prepare to engage 12^th division

6^th division remain on hold but suffer artillery casualties

Move 7 – 1400 to 1500

Left – French

12^th division (top) cavalry lose melee

2^nd division (centre) advance to engage enemy

4^th division (bottom) cavalry approach Austrian left flank

Right - Austrian

7^th division (top) cavalry win melee, infantry form column of attack

6^th division (bottom) continue to receive casualties from French artillery

Move 8 – 1500 to 1600

Left – French

12^th division (top) cavalry rout and infantry square shaken

2^nd division (centre) advance and screen artillery

4^th division (bottom) continue to advance against Austrian left flank

Right – Austrian

7^th division (top) advance towards 12^th division

6^th division (bottom) break due to enemy artillery fire

One brigade in rout, two more (plus gunners) shaken

Cavalry withdraw behind infantry square

Move 9 – 1600 to 1700

Left – French

12^th division (top) pinned by enemy cavalry whilst infantry advance

2^nd division (centre) cavalry and supporting infantry routed as they charge guns

4^th division (bottom) moving into position to attack Austrian flank

Right - Austrian

7^th division (top) continue to advance against Baden division

5^th division (centre) start to arrive on Wels road

6^th division (bottom) start to break as French press home their attack

Move 10 – 1700 to 1800

Left – French

12^th division (top) left flank break and rout

2^nd division (centre) all in rout except for artillery

6^th division (bottom) start to deploy to attack

Right – Austrian

7^th division (top) approach Baden division

5^th division (centre) halt and deploy to cover rout of 6^th division

6^th division (bottom) three brigades and gunners in rout towards Wels

Move 11 – 1800 to 1900

Left – French

12^th division (top) charged in flank, breaks and routs

2^nd division (centre) all in rout except for artillery

6^th division (bottom) halts to await further orders

Marshal Oudinot orders retreat towards Frankenburg

Right – Austrian

7^th division (top) cavalry charge and rout gunners, remaining infantry join rout

5^th division (centre) halt and deploy to cover rout of 6^th division

6^th division (bottom) continue to rout towards Wels

Summary

Both sides have suffered heavy casualties in this battle.

Both sides will take some time to recover and rally routed brigades

The Austrians have suffered 1200 casualties and lost 6^th divisions guns  

There are 5 brigades in rout.

The French have lost 1480 casualties including 12^th division guns.  

There are 11 brigades in rout.

Marshal Oudinot has ordered a general retreat.

Archduke Charles is claiming a victory.