Campaign Summary – 5th September 1813

This was a confused day for both armies.

Marshal Oudinot started the day with great expectations of moving his whole army to the east bank of the river Inn.

7^th French corps had defeated 1^st Austrian corps and taken Obernzell

8^th French corps were prepared to cross and advance towards Raab

9^th French corps had occupied Vockabruck without firing a shot

All that remained was for the French to regroup and advance towards Linz.

Archduke Charles started the day expecting to retreat to Rohrbach-Withering-Wels.

He has already issued orders for the retreat when he received reports of renewed fighting in the north.

1^st Austrian corps had counter attacked Obernzell on its own initiative

The attack was a complete success and the French were driven back to Passau

2^nd Austrian corps started to retreat towards Withering as ordered

3^rd Austrian corps held their position west of Wels.

Archduke Charles must now decide whether to continue the retreat, or attempt to hold his original positions on the river Inn.

What a difference 24 hours can make!

Campaign Move 12

2000 5^th September 1813

The day had started well for Marshal Oudinot.

His campaign strategy was to threaten the line of the river Inn with 7^th and 8^th corps, whilst advancing south of the river to outflank the Austrian defence line with 9^th corps.

General Wrede’s crossing at Passau had improved the plan.   Oudinot had hopes that with both flanks disordered the Austrians would retreat.

However the Austrian counter attack, and reoccupation of Obernzell, had caused real alarm.    The news of this set back had arrived at 1900, just as Oudinot was about to write his orders for 6^th September 1813.

The Austrian victory had placed 9^th corps, at Vockabruck, in a desperate situation.   All day the marshal had expected this corps to come under attack from Wels, but the most recent report from General Vandamme confirmed all was quiet on the southern front.

If the Austrian’s decided to concentrate and attack Vockabruck, 9^th corps would have to fight without support and must be destroyed.   This in turn must lead to a general retreat.

If he ordered 9^th corps to retreat to Frankenburg he would have given up his best opportunity to take the battle east of the river Inn into Austrian territory.

Now he must decide what to do with his small army reserve, currently at Frankenburg.  

Should he join 9^th corps and push east to Wells?

Or should he withdraw 9^th corps to Frankenburg and move the reserve north to strengthen 7^th and 8^th corps?

It was time to write orders.

Campaign Move 11

1600 5^th September 1813

Archduke Charles spent the morning anxiously waiting for a report from General Lichtenstein, commander of 1^st Austrian corps.   He was aware that the corps had fought a battle near Obernzell the previous day, but was waiting for confirmation of the outcome.   Messages sent during the course of the battle spoke of progress, but he was well aware that nothing was certain until the last shot had been fired.

The previous evening he had ordered his three corps to retire to the line Rohrbach, Withering and Wels.   This had been prompted by confirmation that Lichtenstein had lost the battle of Obernzell and had been forced to retreat over the river Danube.

First thing this morning first reports arrived that Lichtenstein had rallied his corps and was intent on retaking Obernzell.

He was also worried about 3^rd corps at Wels.   Having concentrated the corps himself he then handed over command to General Lederer.   He was aware that having abandoned Vockabruck to the enemy, he had exposed the southern flank of 2^nd corps.

Last night a general withdrawal appeared the only possible solution to this problem.

At lunch time he received confirmation that Lichtenstein had beaten the French and driven them back towards Passau.   However in response to his own orders, Lichtenstein was in the process of withdrawing his corps to Rohrbach and thus abandon the fruits of his victory.

Should he change his orders and take advantage of Lichtenstein’s victory, or at least continue to hold the line of the river Inn?

Or should he leave his orders as they were and withdraw to the safety of the line Rohrbach-Withering-Wels?

If the former he must move his army reserve from Withering to support 1^st corps

If the latter he must move the reserve south to support 3^rd corps.

The wrong decision could not only lose the advantage gained by Lichtenstein, but easily lose the whole campaign.

Campaign Move 10

1200 5^th September 1813

At first light General Lichtenstein started to withdraw to Rohrbach in accordance with the orders received from Archduke Charles.

His victory of the previous day was achieved before he received the orders to retreat, and he was confident that he could hold Obernzell.   However orders were orders.

He ordered 1^st division to remain in Obernzell, rest and resupply.

2^nd Division would retreat towards Rohrbach.  To do so they would first have to march through the town, and then cross the river Inn.

This would leave his best division, rested and resupplied, to hold Obernzell.

Perhaps Archduke Charles would cancel the retreat when he received news that the town was once more in Austrian hands.  

Campaign Summary – 4th September 1813

In the north General Wrede decided to split his 7^th corps in order to both pursue the retreating 1st Austrian corps and also aid 8^th corps to cross the river Inn.   One division was sent to take Obernzell and the second sent south to attack the Austrians hold the bridge over the river Inn.

General Lichtenstein had ordered one of his divisions to cover the retreat of 1^st Austrian corps.  As soon as he realised that only one Bavarian division was in pursuit he changed his orders to counter attack.   One of his divisions took, and held Obernzell.  The second one attacked the Bavarians as they neared the bridge

The result was a resounding Austrian victory, and one which reversed their defeat of the previous day.  The line of the river Inn was held, and Obernzell retaken.

Further south Archduke Charles carried out his plan to abandon Vockabruck and concentrate 3^rd Austrian corps at Wels.

9^th French corps entered Wels and in doing so outflanked the whole Austrian defence line on the river Inn.  

Despite a notable Austrian tactical victory, they had suffered a serious strategic defeat.