15H_1-10M. Left Flank in Danger 7am to 1pm - WDS Campaign Wagram

6 July 1809 (H) - During the night of the 5th, the Archduke Charles had submitted orders for the III and VI Korps to launch a flanking attack on the French left and destroy the crossing points thus trapping the Army of Germany on the Marchfeld. However, other events made this plan untenable but the rigid Austrian command system did not allow for changes of orders and with the troops already in camp for the night Charles would have to live with his plan. As the morning dawned the French became aware of an advance on their left flank. The III and VI Korps commenced their maneuver on Napoleon's exposed left flank at around 6am. The assault began sometime near 8am. Klenau's VI Korps was faced by the small division of Boudet near Aspern which promptly lost its guns and had to retire to the protection of the bridgehead area northwest of Lobau Island where the French army had crossed to the Marchfeld in May. With nothing in their way Klenau's men swept through Aspern and onto Essling. Meanwhile, Kollowrat's III Corps was taking Breitenlee and supporting Klenau's exposed left flank. Napoleon reacted swiftly to the challenge and sent large portions of Massena's hard pressed IV Corps south to meet the Austrians before they could sweep through more of his rear area. Along with a task force of cavalry, infantry and artillery the French were able to stem the tide. The guns from Lobau Island almost single-handedly stopped Klenau's advance. The danger was averted and the Archduke's chance for success in the battle was waning. The lack of cavalry screening by the French had almost cost them a major defeat. Only because of the flexible French command system that Napoleon had instituted within his headquarters and on the initiative of several of the division commanders was the danger averted. This scenario focuses on the main assault on Aspern and Essling. The III Korps supplies one division to support the attack. (SIZE: Medium)