The 1809 campaign provides a number of fascinating opportunities for historical refights but equally can provide much inspiration for fictional encounters, especially in the early part of the campaign. Here is one such situation.
The Austrian offensive was stalling in the confused manoeuvring that was occurring along the Danube. It was true that Napoleon’s arrival had markedly improved French dispositions but Archduke Charles was still determined to strike. With a significant portion of his army concentrated, and the French still dispersed, the Archduke ordered the advance. Now the valiant white coated regiments advanced all along the line.
In the centre and left Hohenzollern-Hechingen moved his three divisions of III Armeekorps forward. As they advanced they slowly echeloned to the left. To fill the gap the right two divisions of Bellegarde’s I Armeekorps moved to secure the centre and right. To further reinforce the general weight of the advance the third division of I Armeekorps and much of the Reserve Korps also moved to the left. In all the Archduke had at his immediate disposal some 49,000 infantry, 8,000 cavalry and 126 cannon.
As will be recalled the French opposite were dispersed. As the Austrians advanced only three divisions of Massena’s IV Corps were deployed and these on the far side of the marshy Mollendorf stream. The stream snaked its way east to west just north of the town of Mollendorf. The sections east of Mollendorf were particularly marshy and as such created a significant obstacle, especially to artillery which could only cross at bridges. West of Mollendorf the recent rains had not created such an obstacle.
Soon after 3pm however the first of the French reinforcements arrived on the field, that of Oudinot’s II Corps. They would deploy west of Mollendorf. Interestingly the divisions of the corps moved rapidly forward in march column from which they would only deploy after crossing the stream.
One French brigade, that of Canroux and drawn from Tharreau’s Division, pressed dangerously forward and seized the town of Mollendorf. No sooner had it deployed than it was hit around 4pm by a concentrated attack by three Austrian regiments from Saint Julien’s Division. Archduke Charles, determined to carry the position even joining the attack. Advancing with great elan the 7,500 men looked certain to carry the town whose garrison was still disorganised.
Below, the attack on Mollendorf viewed from the high ground to the southwest.
The resulting fighting was fierce. However, despite outnumbering the enemy by more than three to one the Austrians were thrown back - with two of the regiments routing.
The Austrians, having suffered heavy casualties in their attack on Mollendorf, were now a little circumspect in their offensive. Instead they deployed much of their infantry on the left along the high ground to the southwest of Mollendorf. Simultaneously they moved two cavalry divisions to their extreme left and held Prochaszka’s Converged Grenadier Division as a reserve.
Below, a view of the Austrian left. French infantry are now forming across the stream while French cavalry cross behind.
Meanwhile in the centre the the Austrians demonstrated along the Mollendorf stream, where it was felt the French would not cross. Below, a view of the Austrian centre.
Below, another view of the Austrian centre with Austrian horse artillery conducting an ineffectual bombardment.
Below, a general view of the battlefield with the Austrians on the right as the French continue to build up. The town of Mollendorf is clearly visible on the left and the stream just north (behind) it.
On the extreme Austrian right Bellegarde ordered Vogelsang’s division forward to secure a wood near the Mollendorf stream. It was here that fighting on the right soon developed. Massena, clearly intent on a fight, ordered Molitor’s Division across the stream supported by a brigade from Saint-Cyr’s Division. The marshy stream prevented the attached artillery to cross but Saint-Cyr’s brigade was led by a thick skirmish screen. The fighting initially involved ineffective musketry but later developed into a confusing melee within the woods. Details are unclear but the French, suffering heavy casualties, were eventually demoralised.
Back on the Austrian left the French forces continued to concentrate. While the Oudinot’s infantry formed up defensively the cavalry of Bessier’s Reserve Cavalry Corps poured across. Napoleon, believing the Austrians were in retreat, had much of his cavalry on hand and now he intended to use it to crush the Austrian left. The forces included Grouchy’s Dragoon Division as well as Nansouty’s and Saint Sulpice’s Heavy Cavalry Divisions. Some 6,000 medium and heavy cavalry well supported by horse artillery.
Above, a view of the French right with two divisions of Cuirassier in the foreground.
Of these it was one of Grouchy’s brigades that was first to be engaged. Charging forward against an Austrian regiment disordered by a French artillery battalion 400 yards distant. The Austrian regiment was driven back but the Dragoons paid a high price for their attack.
Concerned by the French cavalry build-up Archduke Charles now ordered Liechtenstein to challenge it with elements of the Reserve Korps. Austrian Grenadiers advanced boldly supported by several horse batteries. In so doing they delivered a withering fire on the French Carabiners. The French countered brining on a swirling melee involving both French and Austrian Cuirassiers.
Below, the Austrian Grenadiers supported by horse artillery just following the retirement of the French Carabiners.
Simultaneously, but with light fading, Oudinot moved to the offensive. While much of his corps comprised poorly drilled troops he had been bolstered by Grandjean’s Division comprising the elite 3rd Ligne and the 57th Ligne. It was these regiments that hit the extreme left of the Austrian line driving it back. Austrian Dragoons countered and while blunting the attack, the Austrian cavalry division was driven into exhaustion.
Now with darkness intervening the two armies disengaged. Archduke Charles had failed to deliver the crushing blow on the dispersed French army he sought. But it was an unmistakable truth that Napoleon had been outmanoeuvred. His dispersed army had been at grave risk. Arguably the successful defence of Mollendorf was critical in stabilising his position. Yet in his crossing of the stream his cavalry had paid a heavy cost for their advance.
There were six players involved in the game with the scenario developed using the Road to Glory scenario system with armies comprising 4,000 points. The French selected “Advance Guard Echelon Right (#7)” while the Austrians “Returning Detachment - Left (#19)”. Miniatures are from my own collection and are all by Heroics & Ros, based at half scale.
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