Battle of Wagram
In 1809, the First French Empire held a dominant position on the European continent. Resounding victories during the 1805 to 1807 wars against the Third and Fourth coalitions had ensured almost undisputed continental hegemony. No other European power could challenge the might of Napoleon's empire at that time. However, despite having defeated Austria, forced Russia into an uneasy alliance and reduced Prussia to the rank of a second-rate power, Napoleon did not manage to force the United Kingdom to make peace. With the British in complete control of the seas, Napoleon thus opted for an economic war, imposing the Continental System against the British Isles. This strategy aimed to dry up vital British commercial relations with the continent.
To ensure the effectiveness of the Continental System, he sought to force Portugal, a traditional British trading partner, to observe it. When diplomatic means failed in 1808, Napoleon had the country occupied, forcing the ruling dynasty of Braganza to flee the country and seek refuge in its main colony, Brazil. In a move that would prove to be both uninspired and ill-handled, Napoleon also overstepped his power and decided to change the ruling dynasty of Spain. He replaced King Charles IV with his own brother, Joseph, who became King José I of Spain.
The new king was not well received by the population or much of the country's ruling elite. They felt that Napoleon was imposing on them, which triggered a bloody guerrilla war throughout the country. The French position in the peninsula was rendered untenable after the Battle of Bailen, a rare and resounding defeat for the French forces. This event greatly encouraged the Austrian war party. France's main adversary in central Europe was the Austrian Empire. Defeated at Ulm and Austerlitz in 1805 and forced to conclude the humiliating Peace of Pressburg, Austria still possessed a formidable army. By 1809, the state was almost bankrupt but acutely aware that it could not retain its status as a great power if it did not manage to regain some of its former influence in Germany and Italy.
Napoleon had suffered the first significant defeat of his career during the battle fought between May 21st and 22nd, 1809. It resulted in some 53,000 casualties, almost equally divided between the two armies. For the Austrians, this victory proved costly yet crucially improved overall morale among troops. Despite their early string of defeats, they demonstrated an ability to fight extremely well against formidable enemies.
In the weeks following the battle, Archduke Charles became increasingly skeptical about his chances of winning the war. His analysis revealed he had been unable to capitalize on numerical superiority and thus failed to achieve more than a tactical victory. Political consequences remained limited despite attempts by Austria to trumpet their success. There were no signs of general uprising in Germany, Prussia remained unwilling to enter the war, while Russia grew aggressive toward Austrian forces in Galicia.
Charles's skepticism stemmed from realizing none of strategic prerequisites for an Austrian victory materialized. He came to believe his country's best option was opening negotiations with Napoleon. Yet Emperor Francis repeatedly refused considering peace options despite warnings that "the first battle lost is a death sentence for monarchy." Constant flow of information maintained bellicose atmosphere within high political circles hindering Charles' efforts to get brother suing for peace.
One senior general Johann von Hiller commander VI Korps resigned July 4th eve giving health reasons as pretext. Although morale rank-and-file fair after Aspern-Essling atmosphere among senior commanders particularly rotten.
Napoleon knew failure meant remaining unaccustomedly inactive for thirty-six hours before recovering usual drive. Immediate concern improved dire situation army virtually trapped Lobau island Danube swollen. With tireless activity supervised transformation Lobau into huge base building temporary campaign hospitals twenty thousand wounded plus warehouses barracks sheltering numerous permanent garrison.
Once secure bridge built transferred wounded part troops mainland maintaining IV Corps island planning use springboard upcoming crossing rebuilding army casualties roughly equal enemy fewer engaged some battalions needed complete rebuild losses officers extremely difficult replace Maréchal Jean Lannes mortally wounded died nine days later another irreplaceable loss Louis-Vincent-Joseph Le Blond de Saint-Hilaire created Marshal Empire month recognition brilliant conduct received mortal wound before baton arrived Paris Jean-Louis-Brigitte Espagne famous general killed head cuirassiers artillery chief Nicolas-Marie Songis des Courbons became severely ill leaving command weeks battle.
Despite setbacks retained total confidence Napoleon's ability lead victory evidenced couple days newly planned crossing when most senior corps commander André Masséna fell horse badly injured foot rendering unable ride time pain made arrangements leading men phaeton vowed retain command much Emperor relief. Needed careful planning superior forces attempt another crossing securing island-base Lobau following orders General Bertrand led vast military engineering works resulting two strong bridges south bank Lobau used transfer supplies troops onto island secured against floating barges launching palisades upstream cross from island northern bank series pivoting bridges landing craft also built captured Danube flotilla additional patrol ships meant end June almost complete control river allowing write Army Bulletin July 2nd "Danube no longer exists French army".
On four July nightfall under cover violent thunderstorm impeded any Austrian observation commenced crossing Oudinot II Corps first crossed Danube serving vanguard established foothold northern bank leading elements assault troops under General Conroux crossed boat Hansel Grund between nine ten pm soon succeeded overwhelming Austrian posts stationed there supported massive artillery fire Lobau Island suppress resistance secure landing zones eleven o'clock Masséna next reaching opposite bank firing Austrian posts Oudinot fusilade put alert rest Masséna troops passed over took possession left bank before Austrians bring down masses shortly after two am Davout's four infantry divisions followed three cavalry began crossing appointed bridges buildup proceeding schedule No effective Austrian encountered whole time garrison castle Mühleuten hung positions until dawn.
As French east Lobau only significant immediate vicinity Armand von Nordmann Advance Guard left sector orders delay enemy advance. Nordmann men faced massive barrage batteries Lobau increasing numbers battalions coming up turned north leaving detachments Sachsengang castle Gross-Enzersdorf most available now approached Sachsengang came defenders: two Austrian battalions few small-calibre cannon opted storming position instead brought forward howitzers bid shell submission brief surrender towards eight am Further north directed divisions straight strategic village Groß-Enzensdorf where rest Nordmann rearguard Bellegarde regiment lay constituted sturdy defensive Napoleon himself inspected noticing strong enough potentially delay deployment IV Corps onto Marchfeld plain beyond ordered heavy batteries including twenty-two sixteen-pounder fourteen mortars ten howitzer bombard village total some thousand shells fired quickly engulfed flames commander VI Korps Feldmarshalleutnant Klenau vicinity also orders delay tried relieve successfully checked Marulaz cavalry from IV Corps defenders cut off defending becoming burning inferno Colonel Sainte-Croix assumed command forty-sixth ligne stormed taking four hundred prisoners further west division Boudet moved against Essling fell without much resistance by ten o'clock pleased notice bridgehead completely secured all attempts destroy bridges failed.
Rosenberg attack positioned left Austrian army around Markgrafneusiedl commanded eighteen one thousand four hundred men sixty cannons IV Korps attached battered Advance Guard under Nordmann reduced six thousand infantry plus cavalry support three one hundred twenty cavalrymen Nostitz's division receiving due time began organizing forming III large columns preceded advance guard first Hessen-Homburg brigade six battalions directed Grosshofen second column sixteen battalions twelve regular four Landwehr included brigades Swinburn Weiss moving Glinzendorf preceded Radetzky ten battalions ten squadrons third Nostitz thirty squadrons outflank Leopoldsdorf setting motion towards four am instructed maintain absolute silence rank file despite moved forward disorder lot noise.
Opposite Davout commanding thirty-one six hundred infantry divisions Morand Friant Gudin Puthod six two hundred cavalry divisions Grouchy Pully Montbrun one hundred cannon unaware Austrians moving preparing own thus ready action. To surprise five o'clock Austrians attacked Radetzky leading elements pushing French posts Grosshofen then attacking Glinzendorf immediately ordered counterattack frontally flank ensuring defenders steadfastly hold ground releasing heavy musketry slowly advancing enemy columns dragoons rode face enemy cavalry while sent part light cavalry Ober Sieberbrunn bid outflank sound cannon from sector interrupted breakfast Emperor thinking Archduke John arrived field threat overestimated since intelligence inaccurately placed strength army thirty thousand instead actual thirteen thousand men.
The battle fought July fifth and sixth 1809 was particularly bloody mainly due extensive use artillery flat battlefield packed some three hundred thousand men Although Napoleon uncontested winner failed secure overwhelming victory Austrian casualties only slightly greater those French allies nonetheless defeat serious enough shatter morale Austrians could no longer find will continue struggle resulting Treaty Schönbrunn meant loss one sixth subjects along territories rendering landlocked until German Campaign 1813 After bestowed Louis-Alexandre Berthier Marshal Chief Staff Minister War Vice-Constable Empire victory title first Prince Wagram making official member French nobility previously granted Sovereign Neuchâtel Valangin 1806 allowed descendants carry titles Princess.
Austrian used lie down tactics reduce losses artillery action battalion took cover drainage ditch paces front Deutsch-Wgram when French columns marched village well-drilled rose delivered volley close range similar coalition did Waterloo six years later. Despite resilience tide turned despite failure Général Macdonald attack mid-afternoon Charles admitted defeat led retreat frustrating enemy attempts pursue eventually caught scored victory Znaim still raging decided ask armistice effectively ending war.
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Common questions
When did the Battle of Wagram take place?
The Battle of Wagram took place on July 5th and 6th 1809. This conflict occurred during the War of the Fifth Coalition when Napoleon fought against the Austrian Empire.
Who commanded the French forces at the Battle of Wagram?
Napoleon Bonaparte commanded the French army at the Battle of Wagram. Key marshals including Louis-Nicolas Davout, Jean Lannes, André Masséna, and Michel Ney led specific corps during the engagement.
What was the outcome of the Battle of Wagram for Austria?
Austria suffered a decisive defeat that shattered their morale and ended their ability to continue the struggle. The resulting Treaty of Schönbrunn forced Austria to lose one sixth of its subjects and cede territories until the German Campaign of 1813.
How many casualties were recorded during the Battle of Wagram?
The battle resulted in approximately three hundred thousand men engaged with extensive use of artillery causing heavy losses. Casualties were heavily concentrated due to the flat battlefield and close-range volleys delivered by well-drilled infantry columns.