Age of Eagles - Game Report 10

The Battle of Perchaon 29 April 1809

Background

After a little breather we were back in action within the 1809 Danube campaign, and into our nineth battle of the campaign.

Situation

The campaign action on the 29 April 1809 is split between the northern half of Upper Austria where the 1st, 2nd ArmeeeKorps and 2nd Austrian Reserve Korps are holding the line of the River Inn against the might of most of the Grande Armee. However, further south and east of Salzburg the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th ArmeeKorps and 1st Reserve Korps are fighting a delaying action against Massena's IVth Corps D'Armee, the Wurttemberg Corps and other Light and Heavy Cavalry French formations.

At one stage it seemed likely that Massena had found a way to penetrate the line of Austrian formations, however swift action by General der Kavalerie Johannes Liechenstein's 1st Reserve Korps blocked the way, the 3rd ArmeeKorps and Austrian Light Cavalry units now moved to the sound of the guns in order to defeat Massena, and blunt the French advance.

Battlefield Map and Terrain

The ground east of Salzburg starts to become increasingly broken with hills and woods with many small villages in the valleys. It is less open than the terrain further North close to the Danube.

The view looking North East from where the Austrians will arrive from the South East.

The Battle

The 1st Reserve Korps deployed into two columns around MUNDSIG. The larger of the two made up of two Grenadier Brigades and two heavy cavalry brigades was directed to move north east and attack any enemy north and east of PERCHAON, while one Grenadier and one cuirassier brigade was to form a blocking position on the high ground east of PERCHAON. The final grenadier brigade was to move into a blocking position in the defile on the road between LENGAU and PERCHAON.

From the outset of the advance the plan fell to pieces with brigades failing to move into position, this allowed at 1100hrs time for the General Tharreau's 1st Division from II Corps D'Armee to march to the sound of the guns and deploy to protect the French northern flank. Meanwhile 3rd Heavy Cavalry division also arrived deploying into a blocking position.

Given that Liechtenstein could see that fresh French reinforcements were arriving from the West, at 1300hrs he cancelled the planned advanced and adopted a defensive posture until such time 3rd ArmeeKorps arrived. The French reinforcements included the lead elements of the IV Corps D'Armee. However there was no evidence that at this stage that Massena had arrived on the battlefield. For their part the Austrians had received reinforcements from the North and South with the arrival respectively of the 3rd and 4th Light Dragoons.

The strength of the French forces increased steadily throughout the early afternoon, and by 1530 all four divisions of IV Corps D'Armee present; less their Corps Commander. The French artillery deployed in line North of PERCHAON and started a furious bombardment on the Austrian Grenadiers formed on the hill causing significant and unwarranted casualties as their pride and discipline prevented them falling back into the dead ground behind the hill. 

Although there was a lack of Corps Command direction the initiative shown by the French Divisional commanders allowed them to fight for the woods South of PERCHAON and at the same time to ready themselves to advance on command from Massena. However, the Austrian Grenadiers were not going to vacate the woods without a fight and threw the French out of the wood when the French charged.

By 1700hrs it was clear to Liechtenstein that 3rd ArmeeKorps would not arrive in time to influence the battle. He needed to break contact and withdraw as rapidly as he could. The guns and grenadiers started their withdrawal, while the Heavy Cavalry Brigades launched several charges to force delay on the French Infantry.

Unlike many previous retreats executed during the campaign thus far, this was orderly and well managed with artillery and grenadiers leapfrogging ach other, all the while covered by the cavalry.

By 1730hrs the sun was setting, and both sides were effectively breaking contact from each other with the Austrians retiring to the South-East and leaving the French in possession of the battlefield. (Note to self: remember to set the table the other way around so that the sun really sets in the West next time.)  The French decision was partly made because Massena only arrived to take command around 1600hrs and he had passed the VII Corps D'Armee on the way to the battle. Vandamme reported that because of the state of the roads he was unlikely to arrive at PERCHAON until after dark.

Outcome and Casualties

The Austrian's had failed to force the French to battle on their terms. Instead, they were forced to another defensive battle to buy time. Fortunately, they were able to extract themselves from the battle and regroup with the remaining Austrian reinforcements to the South East. Casualties were heaviest for the Grenadiers who lost most to the severe artillery fire they suffered exposed on the forward slope of the hills facing the French guns.