Historical Note
The 1st Division of Maréchal Ney's VI Corps under GD Dupont with 4,105 infantry, 983 cavalry and 8 pieces of artillery encountered the Austrian Army of Swabia under FML Mack with 20,000 infantry, 2,100 cavalry and 30 pieces of artillery at Haslach-Jungingen on October 11, 1805.
Dupont under the impression he would only encounter a rear guard decides to stand and offer battle rather then retreat so the Austrians would not think he was isolated. Within five hours the Austrians lost 400 killed, 1,100 wounded and 4,000 prisoners, a loss of 24%. The French losses only show 1,000 and are not broken down, and equal about 19% (also 23 wagons). The French were outnumbered over 4 to 1 and cause a loss to the Austrians of over 5 to 1. This was truly an outstanding victory for the French.
Footnote: Although all the French units performed miracles, particular recognition must be given to the soldiers of the 9th Legere and GB Rouyer who employed the "strong point defense method". The elite troops of the regiment fortified a church in Jungingen. Skirmishers were deployed outside of the town facing the Austrians. The balance of the troops were held in columns behind the town. When the Austrians attacked the skirmishers fell back into the town and were pursued. The Austrian attack stopped at the church and the French in turn released the hidden columns who surrounded the Austrians. The Austrians were now caught and surrendered. After removing their prisoners the French reset the trap and the Austrians launched another attack with same results.
Briefings and Orders of Battle
Feldmarschall-Leutnant Karl Mack von Leiberich :
In the early morning on October 11, 1805 you are informed that French troops
have been seen in the villages of Jungingen and Haslach east of your position
in Ulm. So far the French force does not appear to exceed Divisional strengh.
You now plan a textbook Frederickian attack. Generals Riesch and Werneck are
ordered to deploy north of Bofingen and conduct pinning attacks on Haslach.
Meanwhile you will personally direct Generals Schwarzenberg and Ferdinand on
their attack on Jungingen. After destroying the French in Jungingen you will
pivot your force and take the French in Haslach in flank. It’s now 2:00pm and
your flanking column starts to move out of Ulm.
Note: All of your troops are green. The defeats of October 8th and 9th are well known by the troops. IR #20 lost many of men at Gunzburg. Many of them believe the French cannot be beaten. Morale is low. For a detailed Order of Battle click HERE.
Général de Division
Pierre Dupont de l'Etang : You are ordered by your Corps Commander Maréchal Ney
to proceed to Ulm. It is expected that there is only a small rear guard of
Austrians there. When you reach Haslach you realize that Ulm appears to contain
well over 20,000 troops including several regiments of cavalry. Although the
Austrians can’t see much from Ulm you have decided that you cannot withdraw as
this would clearly indicate that you are alone. You decide to stay and fight.
It is now 12:00 Noon October 11th, 1805. What are your orders? (Note: This is a veteran force)
For a detailed Order of Battle click
HERE.
Haslach-Jungingen Map :
It was about noon on October 11, 1805 when GD Dupont started to move his Division into Haslach, a village east of Ulm. He was under orders to attack Ulm and destroy the Austrian rear guard that was there. He was shocked when his scouts advised him that there was well over 20,000 troops in Ulm, including several regiments of cavalry.
Dupont thought that if he withdrew the Austrians would know his Division was alone. He decided on a bold plan of action. He ordered GB Rouyer to deploy in front of Ulm to harass the enemy and to fall back at the first sign of serious opposition. GB Marchand was to move to the east of Jungingen and await further orders. GD Sahuc was to remain just west of Haslach. Dupont would move to a position further west so he could observe as much as possible.
Although FML Mack was aware of Dupont's Division before noon he was not able to formulate a plan and get troops moving until 2:00pm. He put together a classical Frederickian attack. Generals Riesch and Werneck would deploy north of Bofingen and from there conduct pinning attacks on Haslach. Mack would personally direct a second column under Prince Ferdinand and FML Schwarzenberg to attack Jungingen. After destroying any French in Jungingen he would pivot his force and take Haslach in the flank.
By 3:00pm Dupont realized that the only Austrian force moving from Ulm was the one heading towards Jungingen. He ordered Marchand to fall back and take up a line between the forests of Grofen Gehr and Kleinen Gehr. Rouyer was ordered to retire to a position north of Bofingen.
Mack had occupied Jungingen by 3:30pm and was in hot pursuit of Marchand. The 6th Chevauleger Regiment quickly attacked the 1st battalion of the 32nd Ligne. Although they were withdrawing they repulsed the impetuous Chevaulegers. The 3rd Kuirassier were caught up in the retreat and forced back as well. Dupont was now close at hand and saw an opportunity to counter attack. By 4:00pm he had his entire force moving to attack the Austrians at Jungingen.
Mack was not bothered by the minor set back of his cavalry. At 4:00pm he ordered Ferdinand to launch his infantry forward to destroy the French. Schwarzenberg was to take the remaining cavalry and circle north of Grofen Gehr and threaten Haslach. He was not to engage any formed troops unless in self defence. It was also at this time that the column under Riesch and Werneck was finally moving out of Ulm. Most of these troops had been positioned south of the Danube and moving through Ulm to exit on the north side had taken a long time.
The French counter attack moved like a solid wall. These well trained veterans were able to discharge volley after volley with precision and accuracy into one Austrian battalion at a time. The predominantly green Austrian troops had very little training and were no match for the French. Every volley from the French produced horrific casualties, the Austrian reply being weak and uncoordinated. While trying to urge his troops to attack Mack was wounded and taken back to Ulm.
It was now 5:00pm and the 3rd Kuirassier had rallied and driven back the French 1st Hussars even though they had been outnumbered by over two to one. Ferdinand knew that even this great victory would not be enough to stop the French. He now had only three of his original eleven battalions left. The original plan had fallen apart and needed time to regroup. Ferdinand orderered all troops to fall back to Ulm.
Riesch and Werneck had almost fully deployed when they received the order to withdraw. Although Riesch was confident he could do a lot a damage to the French he complied with the order to withdraw. Werneck was angry, his troops had done nothing but march, but he also fell back. Schwarzenberg had a harder time withdrawing as he had attacked the French supply train and his troops were busy looting it!
Dupont could not believe his good fortune he had taken on a much larger Austrian force and barely lost a man. Not wanting to push his luck he quickly ordered a withdrawl as well.
Conclusion
Werneck was not happy that he played no real part in the battle and had command of mainly green troops. The other players enjoyed themselves immensely, Dupont was grinning from ear to ear. This was however another battle that played out very, very similar to it's historical outcome.
