Campaign Move 27

2000 10^th September 1813

Both Marshal Oudinot and Archduke Charles were aware that the campaign would be won, or lost, on the southern flank.

The French had pushed to the east and taken Vockabruck.  Oudinot had just arrived with 4^th division, the army reserve, but expected 24 hours to coordinate the attack on Wels with 9^th corps.

Archduke Charles was approaching Wels with 5^th division, his reserve, to support 3^rd Austrian corps.   General Lederer had deployed his corps to the west of Wels, and 5^th division was still 10 miles to the east when the battle began.

General Vandamme had command of the Young Guard division, and was anxious to strike at Wels before the Austrians were concentrated there.  However his 12^th Baden division 320 casualties spread between three of their four infantry brigades, and their cavalry brigade has suffered 20% casualties.  

The Guard might well be ready.   The Baden’s were not.

Worse still Oudinot would not arrive with 4^th division until well after noon.

None of this caused Vandamme to hesitate.  

He ordered the attack on Wels.