Battle of Eckmühl

Also known as: Eggmühl
Arc de Triomphe: ECKMULH

April 22, 1809

Thinking Napoleon was too busy in Spain, the Austrians had launched an offensive against France's German allies in the spring of 1809. While they had initially achieved success, once Napoleon arrived on the scene he once again turned the table on his former aggressors, outmaneuvering them and forcing them to fall back.

Thinking that the main Austrian army was further to the south, Napoleon sent most of the Grande Armée in that direction in pursuit. In actuality, the bulk of the Austrian army was closer to the now isolated III Corps of Marshal Davout near Eckmuhl. Sensing an opportunity, Archduke Charles decided to attack Davout but waited for more of his forces to arrive. Napoleon wasted no time in responding and while Davout tried to hold the Austrian army, Napoleon sent Marshal Lannes' II Corps and Marshal Lefebvre's VII Corps as reinforcements. Now reinforced, the French attacked with a vengeance and decisively defeated the Austrians. However, they did not press the pursuit and the Austrian army was able to slip away and continue the campaign.

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Updated March 2014