Battle of Memmingen facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Memmingen
Part of the War of the Third Coalition
Jean de Dieu Soult, maréchal-duc de Dalmatie
Date 14 October 1805 Location Memmingen, modern-day Germany 47°59′16″N 10°10′52″E / 47.98778°N 10.18111°E / 47.98778; 10.18111 Result French victory
Belligerents
France	Austrian Empire
Commanders and leaders
Nicolas Soult	Karl Spangen
Strength
20,000	6,000

The Battle of Memmingen was an important fight that happened on October 14, 1805. It took place in Memmingen, a town in modern-day Germany. This battle was part of the bigger Napoleonic Wars, a series of conflicts across Europe. During this battle, an Austrian general named Karl Spangen surrendered his troops to the French army, led by Nicolas Soult.

What Happened at Memmingen?

French Army Moves into Position

The battle of Memmingen was part of a larger plan by the French army. This plan was called the Ulm Campaign. The French wanted to trap the Austrian army near the city of Ulm.

On October 7, 1805, the French army, known as the Grande Armée, crossed the Danube River. This happened after a battle at Donauwörth. The French then moved east of Ulm. Their goal was to stop the Austrian army, led by Karl Mack, from joining up with other armies. These other armies included Russian forces and more Austrian troops from the south.

Cutting Off Escape Routes

Two French generals, Michel Ney and Jean Lannes, crossed the Danube again. They did this at the Battle of Elchingen. Their job was to block the path towards Moravia, a region to the east.

At the same time, General Soult and his soldiers headed towards Memmingen. Their mission was to cut off any escape route for the Austrians towards the Tyrol region in the south.

The Surrender of Memmingen

By October 14, Soult's army was ready. He had about 25,440 soldiers and 51 cannons. They began to fire their cannons at the town of Memmingen. Soult also sent two messages to the town's leader, Karl Spangen.

Spangen believed that the French would destroy the city if he didn't give up. So, he decided to surrender. He and his 4,500 soldiers, along with 9 cannons, gave up to the French. The French army only lost 16 men in this battle.

After the Battle

After Memmingen was captured, the city of Ulm was completely surrounded by the French. Soult's army was able to stop the Austrians from connecting their forces in Ulm with those in Tyrol. They even scattered an Austrian group between Leutkirch and Wurzbach a few days later.