Campaign Move 18

2000 7^th September 1813

General Kleanau had ordered his 2^nd Austrian corps to resupply and prepare to retire to Withering in accordance with his current orders.   His patrols confirmed that there was only one enemy division deployed along the western bank of the river Inn, and he was confident that they would not take any action which would interrupt his plans.

General Bertrand had deployed his 11^th Bavarian division either side of the Atheim to Raab road commanding the main bridge over the river Inn.    His 5^th French division was out of sight behind them.

There were two bridges over the river Inn, both leading to Raab.    The southern was the main road bridge, but there was a second just five miles to the north.   It might be expected that if 8^th corps planned to attack Raab they would push one division over each of the two bridges and advance on Raab together.

However Bertrand wanted to catch the Austrian’s unprepared.   He ordered 5^th division to move south and cross the river Inn on the road bridge leading to Frankenburg.   They would then turn east and follow the river bank to join 11^th division as they advanced towards Raab.

Had Kleanau deployed his two divisions along the Raab to Vockabruck road they could have destroyed 11^th division as they crossed the river Inn, and before 5^th division could join them.  However only 3^rd division was immediately available to oppose 11^th division.   4^th division was five miles to the east on the Withering road.  It would take them four hours to join 3^rd division, and a further four hours to reach the river Inn.

This delay just might allow 8^th French corps to concentrate east of the river before 2^nd Austrian corps could concentrate and move against them.    The battle of Raab would be a race against time.