OCTOBER 1808 FRENCH TURN
Retracing his steps and reinforced by Lannes' corps, Napoleon marches back to Vienna where he soundly defeats Charles. The Grande Armee enters the Austrian capital for the second time in three months.
A joint Franco-Spanish army 60,000 invades Portugal and advances within striking distance of Oporoto. Spanish cavalry captures Lagos in the far south of the country.
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| Date | Name | Attacker | Defender | Description | Victor | Casualties |
| October 1808 | Modling |  Napoleon 180,000 |
 Charles 170,000 |
Still stinging from his recent defeat, Napoleon hurries with 180,000 men back to Vienna. Dispatch riders hurry to summon Lannes and his 45,000 men from Loeben. Charles deploys his 170,00 defenders as he did outside Budapest. Napoleon again opens with an attack on the Austrian right anchored on the village of Modling. The fierce fighting drains the Austrian flank and the village changes hands several times but Charles refuses to denude his center or commit reserves, convinced the attack is a feint. Gradually, the French begin attacking along the Austrian center and left, seemingly justifying Charles' suspicions. Too late the Austrians realize that these attacks were only meant to pin them in place. At 3:00 p.m., Lannes' corps appears to the rear of Modling on the Austrians' seriously depleted flank. Briefly, the stubborn Austrian garrison in Modling holds the French advance. Lannes personally leads a company of grenadiers which overthrows the defenders. Lannes, however, is seriously wounded by a spent cannonball which smashes his left knee. Surgeon Larrey is able to save the Marshal's life but is forced to amputate the limb above the knee. Meanwhile, the French are able to roll up the Austrian line inflicting grievous casualties in the process. |
France |
45,000 Austrian 15,000 France |
Wellington lands in Bremen.
The Russians go into winter quarters in Poland.