Branau Campaign – Day 6

5 April 1813 – Southern Germany – Day 6

All six Austrian corps are running short of supplies

There are sufficient supplies available, but they are in the rear depots

It will take at least two days to bring enough forward to resupply the whole army

The Bavarian army has no supply problems.    Four of the six corps are fully supplies with four days. 

In the north 7^th Bavarian army attack 1^st Austrian army at Bayerbach.

In the centre 8^th Bavarian army is fully supplied.     But they must rally and regroup.  

In the south 9^th French army retreat to Burghausen having lost the battle of Eggelsberg.   3^rd Austrian army occupy Eggelsberg and establish a new depot

Battle of Bayerbach at end of move 12

Both armies are evenly matched, though the Bavarians have more battle casualties.  

Consequently they must inflict artillery casualties before the infantry attack

Both Bavarian corps arrive at the start of move one, and deploy out of artillery range

They then advance their artillery and open fire.   This proves ineffective.

The Bavarian cavalry advance and engage in a prolonged melee, which results in massive casualties on both sides.   All four brigades retreat with 40% casualties

Massena has only one option left, an infantry attack.   His right flank is outnumbered, so 10^th corps, on the left, will deliver the attack.   They will be supported by two elite brigades in the reserve, commanded by Massena.

The reserve attack the town, 10^th corps the Austrian right flank.   Both sides suffer heavy casualties, but the Bavarians take the town.   However 10^th corps is defeated and retreats.   On the opposite flank 9^th corps also retreats, and Massena has to abandon the town.

The Austrians won the battle, though they lost more casualties.  

Bavarians have lost 11 infantry and 6 cavalry casualties (5000 men)

Austrians have lost 13 infantry and 6 cavalry casualties (5800 men)

Comments

It is not unusual in the later stages of a campaign for a weaker army to attack a stronger one.   This is usually caused when one side has a temporary advantage, often due to supply problems.

The defender always has to deploy his figures first.  This allows the attacker to concentrate against any weakness in the defence.   Now that we allow commanders to create a reserve, this tends to strengthen the attacker more than the defender.

However the attacker will usually suffer more casualties, particularly from artillery as they close to contact.   He may be able to cause artillery casualties before the attack, either with his own artillery or cavalry.  If not his chances of success are slim.

Or he may gain cavalry superiority by defeating the enemy cavalry.   This will at  least protect his infantry as they move forward, and force the enemy infantry into squares.   However if the enemy defeat his cavalry, the attack must be abandoned.

The outcome of the game is usually decided by the infantry.  However if they do not have some advantage they just have to rely on the luck of the dice.