Historical Note
The battle of Dürnstein (Durrenstein) took place on November 11, 1805 between Field Marshal Michail Illarionovich Kutusov with 23,980 men and 162 pieces of ordnance, of which only 10,300 men were engaged and two Divisions of Maréchal Edouard Mortier's Provisional (VIII) Corps with 8,281 men. Russian losses were 6,000 men or 58% and French were 2,258 men or 27%.
Kutusov believed he could destroy an isolated French Division. He created an elaborate plan that sowed the seeds of failure. His defeat like many of the preceding Austrian ones was a humiliating disaster.
Briefings and Orders of Battle
Field Marshal Michail Illarionovich Golenischev-Kutusov :
Yesterday your forces pushed back the French 4th Legere Regiment who were trying to
over run your rearguard. It appears that they are part of an advance French Division
that is presently isolated at Dürnstein. From your position at Krems you see an opportunity
to surround and destroy this force. Early in the mourning of November 11, 1805 you rearranged
your troops into six columns with the following orders:
| Ie Column (Miloradovich): Lead the attack down the main road from Stein towards Unter/Oberloibein. |
| IIe Column (Dokhturov): Take the west road out of Krems all the way to Scheibenhof then turn south to attack Dürnstein from the west. |
| IIIe Column (Strik): Follow IIe Column to Egelsee then turn south to attack Dürnstein from the north. |
| IVe Column (Bagration): Deploy north of Krems to protect the north west flank of the army. (off table). |
| Ve Column (Essen): Stand in reserve at Stein. |
| VIe Column : Deploy all guns between Krems-Stein to repulse any French waterborne movement. (off table). |
| For a detailed Order of Battle click HERE. |
Maréchal Edouard
Mortier (VIII Corps Commander) : You are presently leading your Corps with
Gazan’s Division which is pursuing Kutusov’s retreating army. Yesterday your
advance regiment (4th Legere) was counterattacked by three Russian grenadier
battalions. Fearing that this could be the early warning signal of a much larger attack,
last night you ordered Dupont, who is about a days march behind you, to advance
on the double. Today is November 11, 1805, it is 6:00AM what are your orders?
For a detailed Order of Battle click
HERE.
Dürnstein (Durrenstein) Map :
After Action Report
On November 10th, three Russian Grenadier battalions had checked the advance of the 4th Legere Regiment. Confident that not only could his forces stop the isolated French Corps that was pursuing him, Kutusov thought he could also destroy it. The order of battle shows how he organized his forces and the orders he gave them.
Shortly before 8:00am the first three Russian columns departed from Stein. The first column dispatched scouts who returned within 30 minutes to inform Miloradovich that Rothenhof was still held by the 4th Legere Regiment. Miloradovich immediately deployed his Musketeers in line north west of the road, the Grenadiers also in line were deployed to their right. His guns were placed in the center and the Hussars in the rear as a reserve. Before he could complete his deployment he noticed the 100th Ligne Regiment approaching him from behind Rothenhof. He dispatched a rider to inform Kutusov about this development.
Since the 4th Legere Regiment had been forced back yesterday by the Russians, Marshal Mortier had originally planned to hold his position and await the arrival of reinforcements. Upon rising on November 11th. he realized that this was not a good idea. His regiments could be isolated and destroyed one by one. He immediately ordered the 100th Ligne and the artillery at Unter-Loiben to proceed to Rothenhof. Once there both the 100th Ligne and the 4th Legere would counter attack or pursue the Russians.
As the 100th Ligne approached Rothenhof they deployed to the north west of it in three columns abreast. The 8 lb. guns were quickly unlimbered and engaged the Russian guns. The third and second battalions attacked the Grenadiers while the first held back to stand off against the Musketeers.
The 4th Legere saw that it was time to evacuate Rothenhof and attack the Musketeers.
The Grenadiers were well prepared for the attack by the two French columns. They held their fire to the last possible moment and then delivered a devastating volley. Both columns wavered and then fell back after the next volley that was even more effective then the first. The third battalion was so badly mauled that they routed.
By 9:00am the 4th Legere was deployed in battle columns two abreast and one in support. Their attack on the Musketeers was swift. The Musketeers broke and routed off the field. The 3rd Hussars unable to stop the rout were carried away as well. The French were also able to overrun one of the Russian batteries.
At 9:20am Mortier ordered the 103rd Ligne to Rothenhof and the remaining battalions of the 100th Ligne to renew their attack on the Grenadiers. This was a moment of decision for Kutusov as well, he ordered Essen to deploy north west of Stein and repulse any French advances. Now fearing that he was under a major attack by the French Kutusov mounted his horse to recall Dokhturov and Strik.
The second attack by the 100th Ligne on the Grenadiers went off like clockwork. This time the volleys failed to even slow them down. The Grenadiers slowly gave up ground and then fell back. Miloradovich's command was now broken and in full retreat.
Essen deployed his units in line, the Musketeers north west of the road. To their right he placed the Dragoons supported by the Hussars. The Grenadiers were on the right of the cavalry. The 4th Legere attacked Essen's Musketeers with two battalions in column at about 10:00am. The Musketeers delivered a rolling series of volleys as if they were on the drilling field. Both columns unable to withstand the heavy fire from the Musketeers broke and fell back.
Mortier now with only three battalions in good order called a halt to his advance. He then rode back to rally his broken troops and urge the 103rd Ligne to speed up their march to Rothenhof. During this lull Kutusov returned to the field and ordered all troops to commence an orderly withdrawal.
Conclusion
Historically Dürnstein was an odd battle, doomed to failure by the Russans. Both sides changed the original plans as soon as they could which showed excellent command skills. Although Mortier won the battle, Kutusov must be recognized as demonstrating outstanding flexibility. He clearly minimized the losses and turned a very bad attack plan into a rear guard action. Kudos to Kutuzov.
