"Battle of Eckmühl 1809" Topic

"Antoine de Marbot recounted an incident that demonstrated the properties of the two styles of cuirass, when at Eckmühl in April 1809 French and Austrian cuirassiers crashed together, while the accompanying light cavalry drew off to the flanks to avoid being caught up in the fight.

The cuirassiers advanced rapidly upon each other, and became one immense melée. Courage, tenacity and strength were well matched, but the defensive arms were unequal, for the Austrian cuirasses only covered them in front, and gave no protection to the back in a crowd. In this way, the French troopers who, having double cuirasses and no fear of being wounded from behind had only to think of thrusting, were able to give point to the enemy's backs, and slew a great many of them with small loss to themselves. [When the Austrians wheeled about to withdraw] the fight became a butchery, as our cuirassiers pursued the enemy. This fight settled a question which had long been debated, as to the necessity of double cuirasses, for the proportion of Austrians wounded and killed amounted respectively to eight and thirteen for one Frenchman…"

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Amicalement
Armand

Just finished the Osprey book on this battle – very interesting.

(smile)

Amicalement
Armand

Having played this as a map campaign on a number of occasions, Eckmühl seems to be an inevitable battle. Given historic starting points a battle always seems to happen there.

It was actually at Alteglofsheim, during the evening pursuit AFTER Eckmuhl. Some regiments of Austrian cavalry, including 2 of Kuirassier, sacrificed themselves as a rearguard to delay the Allied pursuit (French Cuirassiers and supporting Confed of Rhine light cavalry).

It was fought in gathering dusk and the French significantly outnumbered the gallant rearguard. To their undying credit the Austrian cavalry threw itself forward even though they must have known the outcome was inevitable.

To inspect the actual ground is very interesting. The whole battlefield from Eckmuhl through to Ratisbon (Regensburg today) is a great tour. Still intact. Eckmuhl is a small village, and the hills behind it remain rolling farmlands and wooded copses. Fabulous.

Thanks!.

Amicalement
Armand

Interesting…

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Armand

This oft-quoted reference from Marbot may overstate the issue. As nsolomon99 notes, it was far from the straight up even encounter it is typically assumed to be and as wargamers often visualise on the tabletop.

Some currassiers didn't wear cuirasses at all. No British cavalry wore them. I know Napoleon issued them to the carabiniers after a particularly disastrous incident but he didn't seem to feel the need to equip the Grenadiers a cheval with them. Thankfully no Napoleonic rules that I know of try to reflect this quote.

Cheers,
John

>>as Marbot observed of a dismounted cuirassier officer at Eckmühl who was unable to run fast enough to escape the enemy <<

An act of barbarity and cowardice more like, to run down a fleeing man, let alone an officer.

>> It was the first time that an ordinary soldier had been raised to the nobility. <<

Utter tripe. The LoH is not a chivalric order, ever.

>> Thus some 36,000 French troops were being called to face at least 75, Austrians. <<

With such baubles men are led- and children enjoy a good tale too!

And John I'd be careful with "I know Napoleon issued them to the carabiniers after a particularly disastrous incident"- as it summarises a number of 'events' that go way beyond mere body counts as justification. Did you know he first proposed a change to their uniform and equipment in 1802?

As to the 'article', unacknowledged authorship and whatever weak research/ copying being done; plus computer games maps, does not lead to an authoritive piece of research, or even good story telling.

The site is a hodge-podge of useless rhetoric…"Generally regarded as a mediocre fighting force, the Saxon Army fought extensively" and ripped off copies of other eoples work, far beyond 'fair use'.

With the errors and information seen, I'd not read further… YMMV
of couse.