When was the Battle of Hanau fought?
The Battle of Hanau was fought on the 30th and the 31st of October 1813. It took place during Napoleon's retreat from Germany following his defeat at the Battle of Leipzig earlier that month.
Questions about Battle of Hanau
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who commanded the forces at the Battle of Hanau?
Karl Philipp von Wrede commanded the Austro-Bavarian coalition force, which numbered around 42,000 men. Napoleon Bonaparte was in personal command of the French forces, which amounted to approximately 20,000 men committed to the actual fighting.
Why did the Battle of Hanau matter for Napoleon's retreat?
Hanau sat on Napoleon's main retreat route from Germany into France. By defeating Wrede and retaking the city on the 31st of October 1813, Napoleon reopened the road to Frankfurt and Mainz, allowing his army to reach French soil and prepare to defend against the subsequent invasion of France in 1814.
What role did Bavaria play in the Battle of Hanau?
Bavaria had recently switched from being a French ally to joining the Sixth Coalition under the Treaty of Ried, concluded just before the Battle of Leipzig. The Bavarian corps under Wrede formed half of the Austro-Bavarian blocking force at Hanau. Bavarian political leaders considered the battle significant as a demonstration of their new alliance, regardless of whether it was won or lost.
What were the casualties at the Battle of Hanau?
Wrede's Austro-Bavarian force suffered roughly 9,000 casualties. Napoleon's forces lost fewer men in direct combat, but approximately 10,000 French stragglers were captured by allied forces between the 28th and the 31st of October 1813.
What is the connection between the Battle of Hanau and Beethoven's Symphony No. 7?
Beethoven premiered his Symphony No. 7 in Vienna on the 8th of December 1813 at a charity concert held to raise funds for soldiers wounded at the Battle of Hanau. Beethoven himself conducted the performance.