Battle of Abensberg

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Battle of Abensberg
Part of the War of the Fifth Coalition
Date 20 April 1809 Location Abensberg, Bavaria Result French victory
Belligerents
Austria	France Bavaria Württemberg
Commanders
Archduke Charles	Napoleon I
Strength
80,000	90,000
Casualties and losses
2,800 dead and wounded, 4,000 prisoners	2,000 dead and wounded

v • d • e War of the Fifth Coalition Sacile – Teugen-Hausen – Raszyn – Abensberg – Landshut – Piave River – Eckmühl – Ratisbon – Ebersberg – Aspern-Essling – Bergisel – Raab – Wagram – Gefrees – Armistice – Walcheren

The Battle of Abensberg took place on April 20, 1809, between the French, Württembergers (VIII Corps) and Bavarians (VII Corps) under Napoleon which numbered about 90,000 strong, and 80,000 Austrians under the Archduke Charles of Austria. The battle resulted in a French victory.

[edit] Prelude

Desperately trying to wrest the initiative back from Archduke Charles in the opening phases of the 1809 campaign, Napoleon Bonaparte consolidated his forces, left in a confused state by the former commander Marshal Berthier, and went on the offensive at Abensberg.

[edit] The battle

On the French left, Marshal Lannes' corps drove back the Austrians after a feeble resistance. In the centre the Bavarians were hard pressed, but eventually Napoleon succeeded in turning the Austrian flank, exposed by the defeat of their right, and Charles was forced to retreat. The Austrians lost 7,000, the French, Württembergers and Bavarians about 3,000 killed and wounded. Despite being outnumbered, Bonaparte's 113,000 troops split the 160,000 strung-out Austrians into two forces. Charles was forced to retreat east to Eckmühl and General Hiller moved south-east to Landshut. Both then had to fight a second major battle each. Austria suffered 2800 casualties at Abensberg, with a further 4000 men captured.