Campaign Move 6

2000 3^rd September 1813

Against all the odds General Wrede has crossed the defended river Inn, established a strong bridgehead on the east bank, and forced 1^st Austrian corps to abandon Obernzell and retire east.

The battle opened quietly.   The Austrians allowed the leading Bavarian division to cross the river in the centre and deploy west of the bridge.   General Mohr ordered his 1^st division to hold the town until he could bring up the 2^nd division.  When they were in position he would attack the Bavarians and destroy them.

Mohr ordered 2^nd division to move to the march to the south and deploy on the hill overlooking the river.   The delay resulting from this movement allowed 9^th Bavarian division to cross the river Inn and deploy between the bridge and the hill.   Both divisions sent their cavalry forward to cover this deployment.

The Bavarian light cavalry charged the Austrian dragoons as they reached the southern edge of the hill.  After a brief melee the dragoons broke and routed, leaving the long line of infantry behind them exposed.

This threat to his left flank unnerved Mohr.   He ordered his 2^nd division to withdraw from the hill and form up to the south of the town.  

By late afternoon both Bavarian divisions were in position and ready to advance.   Austrian artillery dominated the open ground between the bridge and the town and it was clear to Wrede that a frontal attack on Obernzell was too risky.  

He deployed all of his artillery in the centre to engage the Austrian gunners.  

10th division would hold the bridge head and also send their cavalry to the left to threaten the Austrian right flank.  One brigade of infantry would occupy the farm.

9^th division would advance over the hill vacated by the Austrians and fall on their left flank.  

Both sides were now in long range artillery range, and for an hour both suffered casualties.   The Austrian infantry on the left had formed square to hold off the Bavarian cavalry who had now reached the eastern edge of the hill.   The forward brigade suffered heavy casualties and were shaken.  The Bavarian light cavalry charged and broke the square, forcing the nearby gunners to flee to a second square for safety.

The hill delayed the Bavarian approach march, and this allowed the Austrian squares to advance and cover their gunners as they returned to their guns and retreated with them.  

As night fell Mohr ordered his corps to abandon the town and move back towards the river Danube.

Both sides had suffered light casualties.   But the Austrians had lost one infantry and one cavalry brigade to rout, and both of their flanks were exposed.

Wrede had risked an attack over a defended river line.   He not only established a bridge head, he also forced the Austrians to abandon the town and retreat towards the river Danube.

A notable victory to the French in the first battle of the campaign.