Battle of Eggmuhl 1813
Tabletop Replay
by Mark Ashley, UK
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The idea for this battle came from Osprey’s campaign book Eggmühl. The actual set up, and time frame for reinforcements were taken from this. We moved the battle forward in time to 1813 to make it a bit more of a challenge, and used French/Bavarian troops versus Austrian / Russian troops. My good friend David Logan took the part of the Allied commander. The figures used were Adler 6mm, and the rules were Follow the Eagle Sixth Edition (FTEVI)
so in fact we could have put the figures in as any nationality (such is the beauty of using computer rules). We fought the battle over two days and despite the amount of figures used (well over 4,000) the speed of FTEVI allowed us to do this easily. I don’t know of any paper rules which would have allowed us to do this with such speed and detail. An additional bonus of FTEVI allowed us to concentrate on being Generals instead of worrying about numerous number crunching charts and the arguments that follow.
As French commander I had nothing but contempt for the Austrians; although my opponent was a good enough General I had fought them many times and always they had no stomach for the fight. This was to lead to my poor battle plan and overconfidence. The Russians were an unknown quantity; I had not fought them before. The national characteristics were used when I created them so I had an idea they would be poor with the musket but good with the bayonet. Moving the battle forward to 1813 meant that most of the French troops were conscripts and on a par with the Austrians, the Allied commander was well versed in my tactics; all in all everything was set for a severe trial for the French.
The battle itself was set up as per the map with the Austrians holding the North and West. They deployed along the raised spur and occupied all four of the villages, including the vital town of Eggmühl. Their mission was to hold on until the Russians, under Bagration, could arrive on Turn 14 (yes I know he died in 1812 but so what!). Because they were expecting the attack from the West they only deployed one regiment of Jäger in Eggmühl itself and two line battalions to the east of it in the woods near Einsiedlberg. The stream itself was not fordable and thus could only be crossed at the vital bridge. The Allied commander was Bellegarde. The Bavarians Corps, commanded by General Wrede, set up along the western edge opposite the three villages of Unterlaiching, Oberlalaiching and Obersanding (see map). The French deployed on the south side of the river with only one Brigade and one battery of guns on the other side initially. Their mission was to cross the river and deploy ready to meet the Russians on the high ground. Ney commanded the French Corps.
General Wrede’s orders were simple: Attack!! I had hoped to sweep the Austrians off the ridge, set up my artillery and pound the Russians to dust as they came onto the battlefield; so much for the plan.
At 0600 hours the Bavarian artillery began to pound the Austrians on the ridge. The infantry deployed and began to advance. Beckers’ Brigade supported by
the three battalions of the French 57th line began to attack the village of Unterlaiching. Three times they were bloodily repulsed but finally led by their General of Brigade they carried the village at the point of the bayonet. I could almost hear the cheering. In the Bavarian centre the La Roche light infantry skirmishing ahead of
Minucci's Brigade engaged in a short fire fight with Austrian IR47 who were occupying the village of Oberlaiching. The Austrians fell back in some disorder, abandoning the village which was seized by the La Roche. They now had to wait for the rest of their Brigade to arrive to support them.
The Bavarian left flank was unprotected so the French Chasseurs along with their artillery were dispatched to launch a feint towards Obersanding. They arrived not a moment too soon as Austrian infantry in the form of three battalions of IR11 were deploying on to the crest in an effort to outflank the Bavarians. The gap between Obersanding and the woods was only wide enough to allow one formed battalion to pass through unimpeded so I brought in to use FTEVI’s excellent Force Majeur option (some infantry Colonels would form square at the mere sight of cavalry; this option recreates this phenomena). 1/IR11 immediately formed square. The Chasseurs attached Horse Artillery advanced to within 60 yards, unlimbered its guns, and poured canister into their closed ranks. All that was left for the Chasseurs to do was to sit by and await their destruction.
At Eggmühl things hadn’t been going so well. Ney had launched his first attack with the 85th and 95th Line. They were in column, attempting to get across the narrow bridge, supported by their divisional guns. Both attacks were repulsed; both regiments were rallied and sent back into the fray, only to come streaming back once again. By now more reinforcements arrived in the shape of 54th Line and the 7th Leger; they were hastily formed into attack formations. The 85th and 95th after several attacks were no longer capable of acting as a formed body, such was their losses. The second brigade was repeatedly thrown back into the fray in an effort to dislodge the Austrians; more guns arrived, unlimbered and added to the pressure, but still the 2nd Jäger and 1/IR10 held out. Now the whining dispatches were beginning to fly in from the Brigade commanders begging to be relieved and for reinforcements. (This is another excellent FTEVI trait; subordinate generals send the C in C dispatches with information, which is good or useless depending on their capabilities and always with a proper time lapse).
An attempt to reinforce the Austrians defending the bridge by 2/IR10 who were nearby in the woods and Einsiedlberg was stopped by the timely arrival of the 3RD
Division’s guns, These deployed and halted their advance with canister sending them running back to the woods; still the attacks on the bridge were repulsed. Desperation was now creeping in. Back at Unterlaiching counter attacks by Austrian IR35 were repulsed allowing the two battalions of IR13 and two of the 57th
Line to finally gain the crest. The 3rd battalion of the 57th Line was now free to march on Eggmühl itself to assist in the assault. The Austrians were now trying to
regain lost ground; summoning up reserves in the shape of the two battalions of IR42 deployed between the villages of Unterlaiching and Oberlaiching. They began
to march up the slope, 1/IR42 in the lead. At Oberlaiching 1/IR47 had rallied and with its sister battalion joined this counter attack. Charging with unrestrained fury hitherto not seen in an Austrian unit before, they ejected the La Roche from the village. Now deploying a battery of guns to their right they engaged in close range musketry with IR3 and IR13.
With Oberlaiching lost it looked as if Unterlaiching might fall too as IR47 deployed protecting IR42’s flank and enabling them to continue the attack. Hastily
the Bavarians looked for something to plug the gap. It came in the form of the Koenig Chevaux-leger riding up the slope with the Leiningen Chevaux-leger in support behind them; without hesitation they charged, shouting ‘Vive L’Emperor’. Despite close range musketry emptying some saddles, they cut straight through the infantry without even drawing breath. 1/IR42 were routed and lost their colours (FTEVI gave the Chevaux-leger a breakthrough of 150 yards) and as they broke through the Austrians’ shattered ranks they met 2/IR42 toiling up the slope.
Once again, despite close range musketry emptying a few more saddles, they pressed home their attack. They again smashed through the infantry, taking their
standards; 2/IR42 fled in rout. Could nothing stop these gallant sabeurs? (FTEVI gave them another 75-yard breakthrough). Alas it could. With horses blown they now met two regiments of Austrian light cavalry.
The Schwarzenberg Uhlans charged and routed them pushing them back down the slope, and taking their colours during the pursuit. However the Koenig chevaux-leger rallied at the bottom of the slope and after a brief melee managed to put the Uhlans to flight This ended their contribution to the day’s strife. (This gallant unit was to end the day with only 99 men left out of the original 450). It was too much to expect the Leiningen chevaux-leger to hold back both of the Uhlan regiments although this Brigade fell back in some disorder. In turn with no Bavarian cavalry left in the centre the French Chasseurs a Cheval brigade were recalled from the far left flank and they were now the only reserves the Bavarians had to hold up the Austrian attack.
Ney prepared to lead the next attack across the bridge in person with the 13th Leger and 8th Line; such was the position, a desperate measure but desperate men do desperate things. His example was not needed as the 7th Leger charged once more and this time they carried the bridge; the 2nd Jäger turned and fled in rout, however 2/IR10 remained in the village and continued to shoot it out with the 7th Leger. When, finally surrounded with no hope of relief, they surrendered giving up 400 prisoners and of course their colours (this is another FTEVI option where you can test a units resolve to carry on fighting or surrender). When casualties and escorts for the prisoners were calculated by FTEVI and this was to end the 7th’s contribution for the day. With the bridge finally taken the French wasted no more time; they had to take the high ground before the Russians arrived, but time was running out and only the 8th Line were to make it. This was to end the first days fighting; the French were only just holding the heights but not in any strength. The Bavarians were still holding onto Unterlaiching and still fighting for a foothold in Oberlaiching; the attack at Obersanding was held but only just.
At dawn the Russians were to come on in strength with 18 regiments of foot and 12 of cavalry. The Austrians were to receive a brigade of cuirassiers, and the Bavarians a brigade of French dragoons. For the French commander the day had not gone as planned; it came as a severe shock to him (me) to experience the stubbornness of the Austrian defence (it was also a shock to the Allied commander!). At the start of the next day’s fighting the sight of the huge Russian steamroller advancing onto the table, had a very demoralising effect on the French commander. The Russian heavy cavalry charged through the centre, a sort of Eylau in reverse. The French cuirassiers and dragoons were called up in an attempt to stop it. Supported only by a brigade of French lancers the cuirassiers charged time and time again routing the Russians who just fell back and reformed and then came on again. I scanned the dispatches for one from the cuirassier General and kept an eye on the condition of his brigade. Rapidly these messages started to change; first asking for reinforcements, then requesting them and finally begging to be relieved.
Despite capturing Russian colours they were now tired. A battery of Russian 12pdr guns and a horse artillery battery situated on the heights tore gaping great holes in their ranks. To ease this pressure the Dragoon Brigade attempted to charge the guns, but they were no match for canister at short range from twelve pounders. After two charges they could take no more and fled in rout having not even reached the guns. The cuirassiers were too exhausted to charge any more and fell back in good
order. The French lancers now attempted to fill the gap, but they were no match for the Russian heavy cavalry, they eventually turned and fled in rout, the French centre was now left wide open.
To the right of Eggmühl the 8th Line had reached the hill but blasted by Russian twelve pounders and charged by Russian Uhlans they fell back into the wood
to the right of the village where they joined the 13th Leger; together they attempted to hold up the Russian Grenadier Division. The village of Eggmühl was now the
French centre, held only by the 3/57 Line. The bridge was too narrow and traffic moving over it was very slow, it wasn’t possible to get enough men across in time.
The French 3rd Division was thrown into the centre to hold it. The Russian Grenadiers charged through the woods vainly, the French tried to hold them back but each time they were ejected roughly out of their positions. Three batteries of guns.were brought across the river and deployed in an attempt to hold this flank, but by now the
Russians had a Grand Battery of twelve pounders on the heights pounding everything in sight.
The French battery managed to check the Russian Grenadiers on the right. In the centre and to the left of Eggmühl the French 3rd Division tried to hold back the Russian steamroller but after some furious exchanges of musketry the French began to waver and fall back. They now had their backs to the river and to avoid being trapped they fell back towards the Bavarians.
The arrival of the Russians had breathed new life into the tired Austrians; they began to attack with new heart. At Obersanding two regiments of Austrian cuirassiers arrived causing the horse battery to withdraw. A French Dragoon brigade arrived but they were no match for the cuirassiers and were routed after a short melee In short order the horse battery was overrun and put to the sword. The Bavarians fell back further and further. Unterlaiching now fell to the Austrian counter attacks. The whole French left was coming unhinged. I looked longingly at the uncommitted French 4th Division and Light Cavalry Division trapped on the wrong side of the river. As the French commander I knew the battle was lost; my only thoughts now were to extricate my troops from this mess. The whoops of joy from the other end of the table were all the encouragement I needed and I spent the rest of the game trying to save what I could of my army.
The poor battle plan was undoubtedly my downfall (I suppose that’s what any defeated General would say). The inability to get across the river earlier and get my troops deployed on the high ground thus giving the rest of my troops the chance to deploy across the river was the cause of all my troubles on Day 2. I eventually lost three brigades in trying to force my way across the river. When the Russians arrived I was in no state to defend against them, and was forced to commit my troops piecemeal. On reflection I should have created an Elite Division of my light troops put them in command of one of my good aides and used them to smash their way across the bridge. The light troops were the best the French had; FTEVI is so user friendly this is easily arranged and it would have only taken a few minutes before the start of the battle. It totally reflects Napoleon’s method of battle in drawing troops from other formations to create an Elite formation and then putting a well-seasoned
aide in command. All credit to my opponent; still there’s always the next time !!!!
Osprey’s Eggmühl 1809: Armies on the Danube by Scott Bowden
With thanks to David Logan for the proof reading and Craig Ashley for the artwork in creating the map.
Order of Battle and Time Frame of Reinforcements
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