Historical Note
Elchingen was fought on October 14, 1805 between Feldmarschall-Leutnant Graf von Riesch with 15,000 men and Maréchal Michel Ney's VI Corps also with 15,000 men. The French only used half of their infantry (one of two Divisions) and their cavalry to obtain a stunning victory. The Austrians recorded 4,000 killed or wounded. The French claim they captured 3,000 but only 2,500 returned to Ulm for a total loss of 83%. The French lost 1,589 men or 20% of the 8,000 men that were actually engaged. This victory earned Ney a duc's title, Duc d'Elchingen, in 1808.
Briefings and Orders of Battle
Feldmarschall-Leutnant Graf von Riesch (Commander II Column) :
Yesterday you departed Ulm as one of two columns moving to block different retreat
routes that the French may use. Feldmarschall-Leutnant Mack told you the documents
captured from Dupont's wagons clearly indicate the French are on the run from the Russians.
During the late afternoon you encountered French troops in Elchingen and your brave
troops drove them off to the south side of the Danube. The night showed an ever
increasing number of camp fires south of the Danube that made you think that perhaps
FML Mack was wrong. Now caught in an awkward situation you still know that your
orders are to block the French. As you write your orders massed bands and singing
can clearly be heard from the south bank. What are your orders? For a detailed
Order of Battle click HERE.
Maréchal Michel Ney (Commander VI Corps) :
You are ordered by Napoleon to cross the Danube at Elchingen and support Général de Division Dupont.
Yesterday your advance guard was driven back across the river but you still hold
the main bridges. It is early in the morning of October 14, 1805 and your massed
bands are playing and your troops are singing
"Le Chant du Départ". What are your orders?
Note this is a veteran force. Dupont is detached on the north side of the Danube
and his location is unknown. For a detailed Order of Battle click
HERE.
Elchingen Map :
After Action Report
Before dawn Ney had gone to see Napoleon who confirmed he should take his Corps across the Danube to support Dupont and then press on to Ulm. When he returned to his troops they were ready for battle and were singing "Le Chant du Départ". His plan was simple, move across the Danube fan out to the left of the bridge, form up and press on to Ober-Elchingen.
Although the increasing number of camp fires south of the Danube that were noted last night disturbed von Riesch, but he was determined to hold his position. He ordered FML von Laudon to hold his side of the last bridge. FML von Hessen-Homburg would hold Ober-Elchingen.
The Austrians allowed the French to cross the river and challenged their advance at the stream just north of the Danube. The first volleys were exchanged at 8:20am with the 39th Ligne being forced back with heavy losses of 300 men. The 6th Legere was able to outflank the Austrians causing IR #15 and IR #35 to fall back. Two squadrons of the 8th Kuirassier Regiment tried to stop the 6th Legere but they received a crushing volley and lost 130 troopers which routed the Kuirassiers off the field. FML von Laudon pulled his remaining troops back behind the road to Ober-Elchingen so he could rally his broken regiments. From this position he could also protect Hessen-Homburg's left flank.
At 9:30am the French attacked Ober-Elchingen only to find it held by the veteran Grenadiers from IR #3 and IR #24. The unexpected volleys from the Austrians forced the 6th Leger and the 69th Ligne back down the hill.
Colonel de Colbert pushed his cavalry forward to cover the retreat of the French infantry only to find himself attacked from two sides by two squadrons of the 6th Hussar Regiment and two squadrons from the 2nd Kuirassier Regiment. His force was wiped out and de Colbert was taken prisoner.
The French suffered another setback at 10:00am when Laplanche's Dragoons were attacked by two more squadrons from the 8th Kuirassier Regiment and a battalion of Grenadiers from IR #57 who forced marched into their flank. Almost 400 of Laplanche's troopers were cut down.
By 11:00am Ney had pushed Malher's fresh Division into Ober-Elchingen spearheaded by the 25th Legere and the 27th Ligne. Using cold steel they forced Hessen-Homburg's entire force to fall back with the exception of the crack regiment, the IR #3. Shortly before this von Laudon had pushed his rallied troops forward only to have them fall back as soon as they came under artillery fire.
It was now clear to von Riesch that he could not hold the French and he ordered a retreat back to Ulm.
Conclusion
Another battle fought with a similar historical outcome except that the French used all of their available troops to defeat the Austrians.
