The Battle of Wagram was a major engagement fought on 5–6 July 1809 during the War of the Fifth Coalition, part of the Napoleonic Wars. The battle took place near the town of Wagram (now in the Austrian state of Lower Austria), approximately 30 km north of Vienna.
Combatants
- French Empire: Commanded by Emperor Napoleon I, with Marshal Jean‑Lannes, Marshal André Masséna, and Marshal Jean‑Baptiste Bessières among the senior officers.
- Austrian Empire: Commanded by Archduke Charles, Duke of Teschen.
Forces
- French forces numbered roughly 180,000 men, organized into multiple corps and supported by artillery.
- Austrian forces comprised approximately 140,000 troops, similarly arrayed in corps and supported by cavalry and artillery.
Course of the battle
The battle unfolded over two days:
- 5 July 1809: Initial French assaults crossed the Danube at Lobau Island and pushed Austrian positions back. Heavy fighting occurred along the eastern heights, particularly at the village of Deutsch‑Wagram.
- 6 July 1809: Napoleon launched a massive coordinated attack, concentrating artillery fire followed by infantry and cavalry assaults. French forces eventually broke the Austrian centre and forced a general retreat.
Outcome
- The French secured a decisive victory, compelling the Austrian army to withdraw towards Bohemia.
- The result forced Austria to seek an armistice, leading to the Treaty of Schönbrunn (14 October 1809), which imposed significant territorial losses and concessions on Austria.
Casualties
- French casualties are estimated at 26,000–30,000 killed, wounded, or missing.
- Austrian casualties are estimated at 40,000–44,000 killed, wounded, or missing.
Significance
- The battle demonstrated the effectiveness of Napoleon’s corps system and massed artillery.
- It temporarily solidified French dominance in Central Europe, although the broader coalition wars continued until Napoleon’s eventual defeat in 1815.
References
- Chandler, David G. The Campaigns of Napoleon. (London: Macdonald, 1966).
- Schneid, Frederick C. The French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. (London: Pearson, 2005).
- Official Austrian military archives, after‑action reports (1809).
