Campaign Move 16

1200 7^th September 1813

Marshal Oudinot met with General Vandamme as 9^th French corps was retreating from Vockabruck in some disorder.

Oudinot replaced the badly battered 4^th division with the 2^nd (Young Guard) division from the Army Reserve.   

Oudinot retreated to Frankenburg with 4^th division, and Vandamme was ordered to take a defensive position west of the town.

At first light General Lederer ordered 3^rd Austrian corps to move forward and occupy Vockabruck.   He was unaware of the reorganisation of 9^th French corps and expected them to continue their retreat towards Frankenburg.

As the Austrians advanced they found 9^th corps deployed just west of the town and they immediately attacked them.

Oudinot had promised to support Vandamme should he be attacked.   Although he had only one infantry and one cavalry brigade operational in 4^th division, he ordered them to support 9^th corps.  

This small reinforcement was to play a vital role in the second day of the battle of Vockabruck.