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3 - 0 - 0
| Rating: |
0 (0) |
| Games Played: |
3 |
| SM: |
2 |
| Turns: |
20 |
| Type: |
Custom |
| First Side: |
French (Nap) |
| Second Side: |
Austria (Nap) |
14 June 1809 (H) - The Battle of Raab was the finishing touches on Eugene's moulding as a general who could be trusted with an independent command. The Archduke John was caught on the retreat and forced to give battle at a place that if defended by regulars could have meant a totally different outcome to the affair. Instead he had to work with the hastily formed Insurrection forces formed by the Archduke Josef Palatine. Neither Josef nor John could keep them from running from the field once the action got hot. The line drawn up for the battle was a good postion. Flanked by cavalry and behind a small rivlet it had few good fording places for cavalry and the farm structure known as the Kis-Megyer was built of stone making it a small fortress upon which the French attack could be broken. After having waited for John to attack Prince Eugene launched his legions at the Austrian line. In particular he wanted to turn the Austrians left and issued orders to this effect to Grouchy. Grouchy was able have his troopers cross the river at a ford and easily routed the cavalry he faced. The attack in middle was another matter as the Austrians fought tenaciously for the farmhouse and all along the river. Eugene's forces were about to break in but John sent Frimont's Reserve Korps into the breach and some semblance of a line was maintained. Despite their fine counterattack the Austrians were forced to fall back from the field at about 3pm. Casualties for the Austrians were about 6,000 men and the French lost about 2,500 men. This defeat should not have caused John to miss his appointment with his brother Charles at Wagram and history correctly records his treachery in not being present on the day of the battle.
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