When did Napoleon arrive at Hanau to defeat Wrede's forces?
Napoleon arrived at Hanau and defeated Wrede's forces on the 30th of October 1813. This battle occurred shortly after the Battle of Leipzig which began on the 16th of October 1813.
Questions about Battle of Hanau
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who commanded the Austro-Bavarian army that blocked Napoleon's retreat route?
Karl Philipp von Wrede commanded the 45,000 to 50,000 strong Austro-Bavarian army that moved into Napoleon's rear from Würzburg. He deployed his troops along the Kinzig river to block the French retreat toward Frankfurt.
What were the casualty figures for the Battle of Hanau in 1813?
Wrede suffered 9,000 casualties while Napoleon suffered fewer losses during the engagement. Some 10,000 French stragglers became allied prisoners of war between the 28th and the 31st of October 1813.
Where was the main fighting located relative to the Kinzig river during the Battle of Hanau?
The bulk of Wrede's force was positioned along the Kinzig river on the opposite bank from the city of Hanau. His right wing sat south of the river with only a single bridge linking it to the main force.
Why did the coalition fail to destroy the French army after the Battle of Leipzig?
Coalition armies had suffered such high losses at Leipzig that they were in no position to launch an effective pursuit against Napoleon. The disorganised French army managed to escape destruction because military action was confined to secondary rearguard actions.