AUGUST 1805 FRENCH TURN
Europe is aflame! La Grande Armee surges across the Austrian border at several points. The Emperor force marches 80,000 men from Stratsbourg across the Alps via Zurich to fall on John and the garrison at Innsbruck. Napoleon is joined by Massena’s 25,000 man Army of Italy marching from Milan. Massena detaches 10,000 cavalry troopers which march into Venice unopposed. Napoleon entrusts his flank to Davout and Soult with 105,000 men to engage Mack and Ferdinand in the area of Ulm. French forces overun Baden and Hannover. The Emperor declares the creation of the Kingdom of Naples.
| Battle of Innsbruck |
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| 110,000 Frenchmen and Italian allies under the eye of the Emperor storm the mountain passes below Innsbruck. John has 20,000 Austrians to defend the position. After a brief and violent struggle, the Austrians are overwhelmed but not before they give a good account for themselves. The battle ends with 5,000 French and 15,000 Austrian casualties and Napoleon entering the city as the last Austrians depart. |
| Battle of Ulm |
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| Davout and Soult led 105,000 Frenchman and Bavarians on Ulm expecting to find the massed forces of Mack and Ferdinand. Instead, they encounter a delaying force or 20,000 Austrians led by Mack in the fortress itself, Ferdinand and the remainder of the Austrian army having slipped out toward Vienna the previous day. The French immediately assault the city. Under strict orders to preserve the forces under his command, Ferdinand does not march to the sound of the guns. The defenses hold momentarily before superior numbers carry the day. Losses total 5,000 Frenchman and 10,000 Austrians. The remaining 10,000 men of the garrison and Mack march into captivity. |
AUGUST 1805 ALLIED TURN
Austrian armies fall back from the frontiers in a controlled withdrawal. Small garrisons are left at strategic points to slow the French advance. Russian columns begin passing through the Carpathian passes on their way to Vienna.
British naval units converge in the Mediterranean under Nelson’s command. Transports laden with British gold put in at St. Petersburg and off the Illyrian coast.
The Russian navy, not to be outdone, adds its support to the British blockade at Brest and lands 5,000 troops outside Amsterdam.