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.