So today we’re going to be covering one of the most important battles of the Napoleonic Wars, the Battle of Austerlitz, on December 2nd, 1805. Yes, I know I’m a day late for the anniversary, but you can’t rush perfection. Anyways, I thought this was going to be a short one but…

First, some context. The Third Coalition was formed in late 1804, with Russia and Austria joining Britain and Sweden in the first half of 1805. Napoleon and the bulk of his army had been stationed near Boulogne to prepare for an invasion of Britain since about 1803.

When Russia and, a bit later, Austria joined the coalition Napoleon made a rapid redeployment of the French army from the coast to the Rhine. The Austrians expected an attack in Italy and thus placed their finest troops and best commander, Archduke Charles, there.

This was a massive mistake. In 1800 (shown below) Napoleon had only focused on Italy due to peculiar circumstances and this time Napoleon was planning a crushing push through southern Germany straight at Vienna. This offensive would culminate with the “Battle” of Ulm in October.

Napoleon, utilizing superior French mobility and France’s corps system, managed to completely outmaneuver Austrian forces under the unfortunate General Mack and compel the surrender of nearly 60,000 men in the course of a month with minimal casualties.

What was left of the Austrian army outside of Italy fled east in an attempt to meet up with their approaching Russian allies. The vanguard under the command of Kutuzov quickly retreated towards reinforcements under Buxhowden while Bagration conducted brilliant rearguard actions.

Napoleon was unable to prevent the junction of the Russian forces, so he resolved to tempt them into a decisive battle before the coming of winter. He made every attempt to make his army appear weaker than it actually was through a series of brilliant deceptions.

Napoleon occupied the strategic Pratzen Heights with only a portion of his army while leaving other corps within marching distance. He sent several peace feelers to Alexander I (who was travelling with his army) to convey a sense of desperation.

On the 27th of November Napoleon delivered the metaphorical coup de grace. He ordered Marshal Soult to organize a purposely disorderly retreat from the Pratzen Heights in the hopes of drawing the approaching Allied army to the advantageous position. It worked.

By December 1st both armies were essentially in position (with Davout’s corps still marching to the battlefield, which will be important later). Napoleon purposely left his right flank lightly defended to draw the Allies down from the Heights so he could break the Allied center.

Napoleon had correctly predicted the Allied plan of battle: the Allied commanders planned to launch an attack in four massive columns (totaling 60,000 men) at Napoleon’s weak right. Bagration was left to hold the Allied right while the Russian Imperial Guard was held in reserve.

The Allies began to implement their plans early on the morning of the 2nd as a thick mist lingered on the battlefield. By 8 AM the first columns reached the village of Telnitz that anchored the French right. After fierce fighting the French were thrown from the village.

At just the right moment, the vanguard of Davout’s corps arrived on the battlefield and briefly managed to retake Telnitz before being forced out again by repeated Allied charges. Meanwhile the French in the village of Solkonitz held their ground against the initial Allied attack

As more men slowly arrived from the Allied columns the French were forced out of Solkonitz. The village would change hands repeatedly throughout the battle. The battle was going alright for the Allies so far, even though their columns had been slowed by their disorganization.

Kutuzov attempted to keep his column on the Pratzen heights, but Tsar Alexander ordered them to support the assault on the French right and so the elements of the final allied column began to leave the Heights. The time Napoleon had waited for had arrived.

At about 9 AM Napoleon ordered Soult’s corps forward as he could see the Allied forces leaving the Pratzen Heights as the mist began to dissipate. The heavy mist still covered the advance of the French troops towards the Heights. The Allied Army was caught completely off guard.

The fabled “Sun of Austerlitz” burnt away the midst as St. Hilaire and Vandamme’s divisions stormed the Heights. Kutuzov managed to recall some battalions from his column, but it was too late to stop the French advance. The French left under Lannes and Murat started its advance.

Kutuzov desperately tried to rectify the situation, but his men could only be deployed piecemeal and much of his command was destroyed. Bagration was being pushed back slowly but steadily and by midday was virtually cut off from the rest of the Allied army.

The remnants of Davout’s corps finally arrived on the French right and retook Solkonitz and Telnitz, stabilizing that flank. Napoleon now ordered his center to veer right to surround the Allied left. It was at this moment that the Russian Imperial Guard was unleashed.

Grand Duke Constantine ordered the last hope of the Allied army forward to retake the Pratzen Heights. The infantry of the Guard charged into Vandamme’s division. After initial success, the Guard infantry lost its momentum and was forced to reform.

The Guard infantry momentarily repulsed, Vandamme began to turn his division to the right as ordered. It was at this moment that Grand Duke Constantine charged 15 squadrons of Russia’s finest horseman right into the left flank of Vandamme’s division.

Two battalions and an eagle were lost in the charge, and the Russian infantry renewed its attack. Vandamme managed to hold his men together, but his division was in dire straits. Napoleon sent in Bessieres with the cavalry of his Imperial Guard.

In the violent melee that ensued, the French cavalry was able to save Vandamme’s division, but only the arrival of a division from Bernadotte’s corps on the left was able to truly stabilize the situation. General Rapp was then sent with three squadrons to outflank the Russians.

The charge of these three squadrons (two of Chasseurs of the Guard and one of Mamelukes) broke the exhausted Russian cavalry. 200 members of the elite Chevalier Guard were captured. The final crisis of the day was over. A decisive French victory was now a certainty

The French center continued its drive to the right, encircling the majority of the Allied left. Some attempted to flee over the frozen lakes and marshes to the south. According to legend, French cannon broke the ice, sending thousands to an icy grave. It was more likely 200 men.

Nonetheless, the scale of the French victory was impressive. Only Bagration’s portion of the Allied army remained relatively intact. The Allies had lost some 15,000 men killed or wounded and another 12,000 men captured along with 180 guns and 50 standards.

The Allied army had around a third of its roughly 84,000 men, while the French suffered only around 9,000 casualties out of around 75,000 men (or about 13% of their army). Austria nearly immediately sued for peace and within a year the Holy Roman Empire was dissolved.

Napoleon took some peripheral lands from Austria and mostly gave it to his German allies, who soon formed the Confederation of the Rhine. Austria was also forced to pay a massive indemnity. This, however, was not the end of war in Europe.

Austerlitz is, for good reason, remembered as one of Napoleon’s greatest victories. His use of deception was masterful, and the timing of his attack on the Allied center was impeccable. Austerlitz was Napoleon, and his subordinates, at their best.

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