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FLIGHT OF THE EAGLE

MARCH 1806 FRENCH TURN

Napoleon turns away from Prussia and marches south to strike at Kutusov in the Sudeten Mountains. The terrain and spring thaw make the fighting difficult but Napoleon's commitment of the Guard seals a French victory. On the Danube, Massena sidesteps Charles and strikes at Ferdinand in the Austrian rear. Ferdinand's heavily outnumbered men puts up a gallant defense (5 rounds!) but are eventually overwhelmed. Prague is reoccupied by the French.

Battle of Risenbirge
Napoleon attacks Kutusov in the Sudenten mountains east of Prague. Napoleon commands 80,000. Kutusov has 40,000. The wily Russian commander takes advantage of the mountainous terrain and spring thaws to block the French advance. However, he does not account for Imperial Guard. Napoleon commits his elite troops which attack the Russians in close order. The attack is too much for the Russians and Kutusov is forced from his mountain perch, losing many men to an aggressive French pursuit. French casualties: 5,000 (Guard). Russian casualties: 20,000.

Battle of Risenbirge

Napoleon attacks Kutusov in the Sudenten mountains east of Prague. Napoleon commands 80,000. Kutusov has 40,000. The wily Russian commander takes advantage of the mountainous terrain and spring thaws to block the French advance. However, he does not account for Imperial Guard. Napoleon commits his elite troops which attack the Russians in close order. The attack is too much for the Russians and Kutusov is forced from his mountain perch, losing many men to an aggressive French pursuit. French casualties: 5,000 (Guard). Russian casualties: 20,000.

Battle of Linz
Disregarding King Maximillian's pleas to remain at Munich, Massena sidsteps Charles and sets off down the Danube to strike at the Austrian supply lines at Linz. Massena commands a mixed force of Frenchmen, Italians and Bavarians totalling 50,000 men. Feldmarschall-Leutnant Ferdinand meets Massena with 20,000 Austrians. The Austrians put up a stubborn defense lasting until the evening hours. In the end, the numbers prove too great and the Austrian defense disentegartes. Ferdinand salvages half his original force in the retreat. The defeat leaves Charles' army on the Bavarian border in a precarious supply position. French casualties: 5,000. Austrian casualties: 10,000.

Battle of Linz

Disregarding King Maximillian's pleas to remain at Munich, Massena sidsteps Charles and sets off down the Danube to strike at the Austrian supply lines at Linz. Massena commands a mixed force of Frenchmen, Italians and Bavarians totalling 50,000 men. Feldmarschall-Leutnant Ferdinand meets Massena with 20,000 Austrians. The Austrians put up a stubborn defense lasting until the evening hours. In the end, the numbers prove too great and the Austrian defense disentegartes. Ferdinand salvages half his original force in the retreat. The defeat leaves Charles' army on the Bavarian border in a precarious supply position. French casualties: 5,000. Austrian casualties: 10,000.

MARCH 1806 ALLIED TURN

Archduke Charles, with his younger brother John in attendence, retraces his steps down the Danube and wins a stunning victory over Massena on the same site of Ferdinand's defeat earlier in the month. Meanwhile, Kutusov, reinforced to 60,000 men, maintains his position a mere 120 miles from Napoleon.

Battle of Linz II
With Napoleon near Prague and Massena in his rear, Archduke Charles wastes no time retracing his steps down the Danube where he is met by the remnants of Ferdinand's force and reinforcements from Vienna under his brother John. The Austrian host numbering 80,000 men is the second largest fielded by the Hapsburgs in the current campaign. Charles' decisive movements catch Massena by surprise and has no choice but to deploy his mixed force of 45,000 with the Danube to his back. The battle opens with inconclusive assaults on the French position. Massena's suite stops on a hill to allow the Marshal to observe the Austrian positions. Just as the Massena unhorses, he is incapacitated when a spent roundshot strikes him in the left leg. False rumors of Massena's demise spreads through the French ranks and resistance crumbles. The ensusing withdrawal turns to rout as the leaderless French discover to their dismay that there are too few bridges to accomodate the army's passage over the river and to safety. Austrian casualties: 5,000. French casualties: 20,000.

Battle of Linz II

With Napoleon near Prague and Massena in his rear, Archduke Charles wastes no time retracing his steps down the Danube where he is met by the remnants of Ferdinand's force and reinforcements from Vienna under his brother John. The Austrian host numbering 80,000 men is the second largest fielded by the Hapsburgs in the current campaign. Charles' decisive movements catch Massena by surprise and has no choice but to deploy his mixed force of 45,000 with the Danube to his back. The battle opens with inconclusive assaults on the French position. Massena's suite stops on a hill to allow the Marshal to observe the Austrian positions. Just as the Massena unhorses, he is incapacitated when a spent roundshot strikes him in the left leg. False rumors of Massena's demise spreads through the French ranks and resistance crumbles. The ensusing withdrawal turns to rout as the leaderless French discover to their dismay that there are too few bridges to accomodate the army's passage over the river and to safety. Austrian casualties: 5,000. French casualties: 20,000.