1809
Archduke Charles proclaimed a "War of German Liberation" and
marched into Bavaria, invading Napoleon's Confederation of the Rhine.
Napoleon went on the offensive at Abensberg ( 20 April 1809) splitting
the Austrians into two forces.
At Landshut (April 1809) Napoleon defeated
the Austrians who lost 10,000 men and 30 cannons.
At Eckmuhl. (April 1809) Davout and 20,000
men faced 75,000 Austrians under the extremely capable Archduke Charles
but scored victory when reenforcements arrived
Napoleon then marched on Vienna, trying to cross the Danube at Lobau
Island fighting a battle at the bridgehead between Aspern
and Essling (May 1809).
Austria had 100,000 men and 260 guns / French 30,000 with about 75-80
guns and the French got into difficulties when the Austrians cut loose
a massive floating flour mill which crashed into and destroyed the pontoon
bridges they had built, isolating the troops on the bank. Fighting extended
over several days with the French finally getting their troops back
across the river.
Aspern -Essling marked
the first serious reverse suffered by Napoleon at the hands of his foes
it put a large dent in the myth of his invincibility..
more than 21,000 French soldiers became casualties and
the army suffered the grievous loss of Lannes, one of its finest commanders.
Napoleon made a second attempt to cross the Danube at Wagram
(5-6 July 1809) scoring success. Charles retreated north into Moravia
and sued for peace
Terms: Napoleon ....
took Austria's Balkan territories,
gave the Tsar some of Austrian Galicia,
gave some of Galicia to the Duchy of Warsaw,
gave his German allies some of Austria,
he gave back to Bavaria the Tyrol.. |
