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Questions about Battle of Znaim

Short answers, pulled from the story.

What was the Battle of Znaim and when did it take place?

The Battle of Znaim was a two-day engagement between French and Austrian forces fought on the 10th and the 11th of July, 1809, near the town of Znaim (now Znojmo, Czech Republic), about 80 kilometers north of Vienna. It was the last action of the War of the Fifth Coalition.

Why did the Battle of Znaim start if a ceasefire had already been proposed?

Archduke Charles proposed a ceasefire and left to begin peace negotiations with Napoleon, but Marshal Auguste de Marmont refused to observe it and committed his XI Corps of around 10,000 men into battle anyway. André Masséna then had no choice but to support him.

How many troops did Marmont face at the Battle of Znaim?

Marmont's force of around 10,000 men was engaged against approximately 40,000 Austrian troops. He held the villages of Tesswitz and Zuckerhandl overnight despite being heavily outnumbered.

What role did Marshal Masséna play at the Battle of Znaim?

Masséna brought his corps into the battle on the 11th of July to support the outnumbered Marmont. He attacked the extreme right of the Austrian position, quickly seized the main bridge across the Thaya south of Znaim, and advanced directly on the town before Austrian grenadier brigades pushed his forces back.

How did the Battle of Znaim end?

French and Austrian staff officers rode along the opposing lines at approximately 7:00 p.m. on the 11th of July announcing a cease-fire. A formal armistice was signed on the 12th of July, 1809, and a peace treaty followed at Schönbrunn Palace on the 14th of October, 1809.

What was the significance of the Battle of Znaim in the War of the Fifth Coalition?

The Battle of Znaim was the final action of the War of the Fifth Coalition between Austria and France. The armistice signed on the 12th of July, 1809, ended the fighting, and the subsequent Treaty of Schönbrunn on the 14th of October, 1809, formally concluded the war.