Tyrol 1809 order of battle facts for kids

Andreas Hofer statue near the Bergisel

The Tyrolean Rebellion was a fight for freedom that happened in 1809. It was part of a bigger conflict called the War of the Fifth Coalition. At this time, the Austrian army invaded Bavaria, which was an ally of France, and also attacked Italy, which was controlled by France.

Before this, in 1805, the region of Tyrol and Vorarlberg had been given to Bavaria after Austria lost a war. The people of Tyrol were not happy with the new Bavarian laws and especially disliked being forced to join the Bavarian army. So, they decided to rebel and support Austria. In the first week of the rebellion, local fighters managed to defeat or capture most of the Bavarian soldiers stationed there. They even forced a French army group to surrender.

To help the Tyrolean rebels, the Austrian army sent a group of regular soldiers led by General Johann Gabriel Chasteler de Courcelles. However, a large French-Bavarian army, commanded by Marshal François Joseph Lefebvre, invaded Tyrol in mid-May. On May 11, General Bernhard Erasmus von Deroy rescued the Kufstein Fortress, which was surrounded by rebels. Two days later, on May 13, General Karl Philipp von Wrede badly defeated Chasteler's soldiers at the Battle of Wörgl. Soon after, Marshal Lefebvre took control of Innsbruck.

But the Tyrolean rebels fought back! Deroy's soldiers were attacked on May 25 and May 29 in the first two Battles of Bergisel. These attacks forced them to leave Tyrol. By this time, Chasteler's remaining regular Austrian troops were called back to join another Austrian army that was retreating. Only a few regular soldiers were left to help the rebels in Tyrol.

The Rebellion Continues

After Emperor Napoleon defeated the main Austrian army in a huge battle called the Battle of Wagram in July, Austria asked for peace. However, the rebellion in Tyrol did not stop. The Bavarians invaded the region a second time in late July.

Third Battle of Bergisel

The Tyrolean rebels, led by Andreas Hofer, fought bravely. They defeated General Deroy's forces at the Third Battle of Bergisel on August 13. This victory forced the Bavarians to withdraw from Tyrol once again.

Final Battles and End of the Revolt

The Bavarians launched a third invasion. On October 17, the Bavarian 1st Division, led by General Rechberg, won a tough battle against the rebels. Finally, General Wrede won the Fourth Battle of Bergisel on November 1. After this defeat, the rebellion slowly came to an end.

One of the main leaders of the rebellion, Andreas Hofer, was later betrayed and handed over to the French. He was executed in February 1810.

Images for kids

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  Johann Chasteler, an Austrian general who helped the Tyrolean rebels.

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  Marshal François Lefebvre, who commanded the Bavarian forces.

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  Karl Philipp von Wrede, a Bavarian general who fought against the rebels.

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  Bernhard Erasmus von Deroy, another Bavarian general.