#02H. The Action at Gunzburg (HTH) - WDS Campaign Austerlitz

9 October 1805 - Historical - As La Grand Armee' made its wide sweeping move on the unsuspecting General Mack's forces, Marechal Ney was ordered to secure the right flank along the Danube River. General de Brigade Mahler's division was assigned the task of securing a crossing site near Günzberg. Holding the bridges near this town was General-Feldwachtmeister Baron d'Aspre and his column of Austrian troops. Mahler divided his forces into three groups. The Center carried the main burden of assaulting the bridge near Günzberg while a smaller force was dispatched to secure the bridge near Leipheim. Finally, the 59th Ligne and a company of artillery were ordered to assault the bridge near Reisenburg. Baron d'Aspre's men were a mixed bunch. Composed of forces such as the elite Erzherzog Karl IR#3 but also the unreliable IR#20 it should have been able to hold the bridges against the French. Mahler personally commanded the Center but held one battalian of the 27 Ligne in reserve to exploit any success his forces had. The Center quickly found that the Austrians were up for the challenge near Günzberg. The Austrians had deployed all 20 of their guns to this key bridge. The span was damaged such that the French sappers had to effect repairs. The battle for this bridge resulted in a stalemate after a costly assault. Mahler's Southern group assaulting the Leipheim bridge was doing no better and had bogged down in the marshes. However, the 59th Ligne's (Col Lacuée) assault at Reisenburg was meeting with great success due to the faulty deployment of the IR#20 which was drawn up before the bridge in a column of battalians. Though backed up by four squadrons of cavalry, the lightning assault of the French drove the lead battalian back into the rest and the regiment soon was streaming for the rear. The cavalry were not able to halt the French forces. Mahler sent his reserve battalian (1/27 Ligne) to exploit the situation along with the rest of his force. His forces were able to gain a key lodgement across the Danube and by evening the Austrians had withdrawn to the west to Ulm. Col Lacuée lay dead on the field of battle but his regiment had covered itself with glory. Intended to be played Head to Head.