#05H. The Battle of Elchingen (HTH) - WDS Campaign Austerlitz

14 October 1805 - Historical - The Ulm phase of the 1805 Campaign had so far seen multiple actions involving fragments of the Austrian army being defeated by more agressive French commanders. Elchingen would be no different. FML Count von Riesch's Column was position in and around Elchingen, northeast of Ulm. During the 13th he had gathered much information, much of it planted by Napoleon in the form of men who volunteered to be captured by the Hapsburg troops. Ney was on the south bank of the river after having removed Dupont from the north bank following Haslach-Jungingen. He had a force of two divisions ready to strike at Riech's detached command. Riech's hopes that Ney would bypass his command were shattered when shortly after 8am on the morning of October 14th the engineers of VI Corps repaired the bridge and a spearhead force of 5 elite companies from Loison's 2nd Division gained the north bank. The fighting esclated as the rest of the lead brigade GB Villatte pressed on to Uber Elchingen. The fight for the convent saw some of the fiercest hand to hand combat in the Napoleonic Wars. The French prevailed and by 1pm more of their comrades (Malher's 3rd Division) arrived to form a stronger line of battle. Soon two full divisions were pressing onto Riesch'e worn out command. The result was a rout with the Austrians losing 6000 men (killed, wounded or captured). Note: by design no supply wagons were added as the Austrians were having problems with logistics and the French made a hasty assault. Also the elite battalion as noted in the historical narrative was not depicted as it later was merged back into its parent units. Finally, the main Austrian line is FIXED every turn as their command system was deplorable. Its still amazing to read this account and see the French infantry attacking the convent with no intervention from the units to the northeast. Intended to be played as the French vs. AI. French reminder: repair the bridge up to 150 points using the two pioneer units adjacent to that location.