Battle of Donauwörth facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Donauwörth
Part of the War of the Third Coalition
Movements on 7, 8 and 9 October 1805.
Date 7 October 1805 Location Donauwörth, Electorate of Bavaria, Holy Roman Empire 48°41′47″N 10°48′00″E / 48.6964°N 10.8001°E / 48.6964; 10.8001 Result French victory
Belligerents
First French Empire	Austrian Empire
Commanders and leaders
Joachim Murat Jean-de-Dieu Soult	Michael von Kienmayer

The Battle of Donauwörth was the first big fight in Napoleon's 1805 war against Austria. On October 7, 1805, French forces led by Joachim Murat and Jean-de-Dieu Soult defeated an Austrian army group. This battle happened at Donauwörth, a town in Bavaria. The French victory allowed them to cross the Danube River, which was a very important step in their plan.

How the Battle Started

In 1805, Napoleon was planning to invade Britain. But then, Austria decided to join a group of countries against France. So, Napoleon changed his plans. He quickly moved his large army, called the Grande Armée, from France towards Austria.

The Austrian general, Karl Mack, led his army into Bavaria. He set up his forces near the town of Ulm, by the Danube River. General Mack expected the French army to come through the Black Forest. He was ready to stop them there.

Napoleon's Clever Plan

Napoleon had a secret plan to surprise the Austrians. He sent his cavalry, led by Joachim Murat, to raid the countryside. This was a trick to make General Mack think the main French army was coming from a different direction.

Meanwhile, Napoleon took his main army on a huge circling movement to the north. This was a very smart move! On October 7, Napoleon, Murat, and Soult's army arrived at Donauwörth. This town was about 65 kilometers (40 miles) downstream from Ulm.

The Fight at Donauwörth

Donauwörth was defended by an Austrian force. These soldiers were led by Michael von Kienmayer. They were the "rearguard" of the Austrian army. This means they were protecting the main army from behind.

The battle involved Soult's army group, especially a division led by Dominique-Joseph René Vandamme. Murat's cavalry also played a big part. They fought hard against the Austrian soldiers.

The French army won the battle. This victory was very important. It allowed them to cross the Danube River. This meant the Grande Armée could move to the other side of the river. It also helped them continue their circling plan to trap the Austrian army. The fighting continued the next day at a place called Wertingen.