1. EOA 205: NAPOLEON’S 1809 CAMPAIGN (Wagram) Operational Approach (Broad Actions) Due to the treaty of Tilsit with Russia, Napoleon was unable to take offensive action against Austria. Archduke Charles attacks with his reorganized army of 200k soldiers. Napoleon forces Charles from the field who withdraws through Ratisbon and moves to vic Vienna. Napoleon hoping for a decisive battle seizes Vienna. In order to stop Archduke John from joining Archduke Charles he launches a hasty attack at Aspern-Esling which is repulsed by the Austrains and is “Napoleon’s first loss.” Reconsolidates and reinforces with additional artillery and fights Charles across the Danube in Wagram. Charles retreats and Napoleon “wins” by staying on the field, but with significant losses. Napoleon pursues Charles who eventually surrenders. Commander’s Intent Napoleon (France): Defeat Charles in a decisive battle and remove Austria as a threat Charles (Austria): As part of the 5 th coalition, defeat napoleon’s army and remove Napoleon Key Concepts of other Theorists Jomini: Napoleon wanted the battle of a single point, with Austria now utilizing the Corps formation it is too large for Napoleon to destroy, and therefore - according to Epstein – this was the first battle for modern war De Saxe: mobility was the most important part of warfare. Archduke Charles didn’t lose because of a battle, he was eventually ran out of maneuver space and instead of fighting surrendered. Kuhn: Paradigm change. ID multiple anomalies prior (1807) Everyone adopts the new “normal science” which becomes the standards and it is impossible to revert. No one trusts the citizen armies like the French. In the future, all forces will fight similar structure against Napoleon. Key Takeaways -Armies require a great deal more time to be destroyed. -The concept of a single point is no longer relevant. Napoleon does not recognize the change towards parity. -@ Wagram. Napoleon is victorious but by a small margin. He is able to win due to superior generalship but not through sheer dominance of forces and tactics. -@ Aspern-Esling: First Loss of Napoleon Elements of Operational Art/Design End state: 1 st Phase: French: Austrian Army destroyed (Classic Napoleon warfare), Austrian: French Army defeated (just had to defeat them, not destroy them) COG: 1 st phase: French: The Austrian Army (For Napoleon the enemy army is always the COG, Austrian: Davout’s Corps (by defeating Davout’s Corps, allows him to divide and conquer the French Army Objective: 2d Phase: French: Seize Vienna, have Austrian Emperor sue for peace (since he is unable to defeat the Army, wanted to try something different), Austrian: Defend Vienna, reunite army (needed to get Archduke John’s army to link-up with Archduke Charles and have a larger, massed force against Napoleon) Decisive Points: 1 st phase: French: River Crossing at Rastibon (wanted to stop the Austrian army from escaping IOT destroy them), Austrian: Securing the crossing site (needed IOT save the Army) Tempo: 3d phase: French: River crossings and additional artillery (Napoleon coordinated for several river crossing simultaneously IOT get his forces across the river quicker, crossed utilizing a series of crossings and island, and didn’t complete the last leg until morning of attack, brought up more artillery to assist forces in attacking and counter the Austrian high number of artillery) Austrian: Lack of initiative and unable to react (Charles had time to prepare a defense in depth, but did not, could of initiated some counterattacks and did not, allowing for Napoleon to attack when he was ready and could mass his forces. Culmination: 3d phase: France: Charles was isolated from his country and sues for peace (when Charles withdrew from Vienna, he moved north towards Prussia, Napoleon pursued and eventually isolated the army from the rest of the country forcing Charles to finally surrender) Risk (strategic, operational, tactical): 2d phase: French: Seizing capital doesn’t force surrender (usually an Army will fight to prevent the seizure of a capital, and with nothing to defend a capital, the ruler surrenders, This changed, here, Charles to keep his army together allowed Vienna to be captured and it didn’t cause Charles to surrender), Austrian: losing Archduke John south of Danube (Charles wanted John to join him so that they could mass their armies, John had a long operation withdrawing under pressure from Eugene in Italy working his way back to Charles)

2. EOA 205: NAPOLEON’S 1809 CAMPAIGN (Wagram) INSERT MAP/SKETCH HERE Phasing:Timeline: 1809 15 April: Deployment of initial forces 20 April: Battle of Absensburg 22 April: Battle of Eckmuhl 23 April: Battle of Ratisbon 22 May: Battle of Aspern-Essling 29JUN: Deception operations begin 4-6 JUL: Battle of Wagram 4JUL: Under cover of darkness moved to east side Lobau, Napoleon night assault 5JUL: Eugene crossed Lobau 6JUL: 2PM – Charles ordered withdrawal to NW Bohemia 14 OCT: Treaty of Schonbrunn Geographic Keys: -Charles was able to retreat from Aspern-Essling utilizing the mountains to protect his southern flank -Danube River separating Austrian forces from French, forcing the French to conduct multiple river crossings -The battleground was where Austrian forces practiced, giving them “home field advantage” 3x phases Phase 1: actions up to and including Ratisbon Phase 2: the interlude Phase 3: Battle of Wagram

3. EOA 205: NAPOLEON’S 1809 CAMPAIGN (Wagram) Results: Technology Keys: Context: Historical Context Wagram occurred in July 1809—5 years in to the reign of Emperor Napoleon. In this time, Napoleon had defeated 3 great powers: Austria (Holy Roman Empire) at Austerlitz in 1805; Prussia at Jena in 1806; and Russia at Friedland in 1807. After Austerlitz, Austria was subjugated to membership in the Confederation of the Rhine. In essence, Austria was by treaty allied with France. However, political currents within Austria began to resist French over lordship and in 1809 France learned that Austria was building a secret Army on the Danube. Austria intended to initiate war with France south of the Danube Strategic Context The Peninsular Campaign - Concurrent with French operations on the Danube, the French were struggling to contain popular resistance in Spain. Guerilla and conventional war in Spain and Portugal drained resources from France. Austria assessed France’s struggles in Spain created and opportunity to gain revenge for Austerlitz Austrian Army – modernized since Austerlitz; now a national army in terms of numbers and spirit. Austria adopted the Corps system, revised drill doctrine, and increased artillery capacity. Consisted of a regular army and a landwehr militia Political Leaders Francis II (wanted revenge for Austerlitz) Military Leader Archduke Charles, Archduke John French Army Military Leaders Napoleon, Berthier, Davout, Oudinot, Lefebvre, Eugene Campaign Context Austria invaded Bavaria in April 1809 France concentrates forces south of Ratisbon Battles of Eckmuhl/Ratisbon (20-23 April) French force Austrian Army under Archduke Charles to retreat north of Danube; French Army has avenue of approach to Vienna south of Danube French Army (82,000) takes Vienna on 13 May Archduke Charles massed Army of 115,000 north of Danube Archduke John had an Austrian force south of Vienna in Italy French secured a bridgehead at Lobau Island on 20 May; intent was to cross and locate Charles’ army Battle of Aspern/Essling (21-22 May) French defeat—Napoleon’s first. French avoided annihilation and had to abandon the northward attack although they retained Wagram. Battle of Wagram (4-6 July) French spent six weeks preparing for renewed battle; improved bridging; built up artillery capacity; army strength reinforced; Austrians do little to prepare Austrian defeat– Charles ordered his army to retreat after 2 days of fierce fighting. Austria sustained 40,000 casualties The French did not pursue. Treaty of Schonbrunn signed in October 1809. Austria pays indemnity….remains in Confederation of the Rhine. While the power of imperial France appeared to reach its apex after Napoleon’s victory at Wagram, the victory emboldened the continental powers. Austria, Prussia, and Russia all mimicked Napoleonic military reforms. Austria adopted the corps system and built a national army based on conscription Austrians used floating missiles to degrade French bridging on Danube during Battle of Aspern/Essling