The Battle of Austerlitz, fought on December 2, 1805, is celebrated as one of the most decisive battles in European history, showcasing Napoleon Bonaparte’s tactical genius and cementing the French Empire’s dominance during the Napoleonic Wars. Known as the “Sun of Austerlitz,” this clash against the Third Coalition redefined military strategy and shifted the European power balance. This article delves into when and where the battle occurred, its battlefield layout, progression, casualties, outcome, and enduring legacy, offering a comprehensive exploration of the Napoleonic era.
When Did the Battle of Austerlitz Take Place? Where?
The Battle of Austerlitz occurred on December 2, 1805, in Moravia, near the town of Austerlitz (modern-day Slavkov u Brna, Czech Republic), approximately 10 miles southeast of Brno. The battlefield’s centerpiece was the Pratzen Heights, a strategic plateau that shaped the conflict’s outcome. This battle was a pivotal moment in the War of 1805, part of the broader Napoleonic Wars, pitting the French Army, led by Napoleon Bonaparte, against the Austro-Russian army of the Third Coalition, comprising the Austrian Empire under Emperor Francis II and the Russian Empire under Tsar Alexander I.
The War of the Third Coalition arose from tensions following Napoleon’s coronation as Emperor in 1804, prompting Britain, Austria, Russia, and others to form an alliance to curb French dominance. Napoleon’s rapid march from France to Moravia, covering hundreds of miles in weeks, set the stage for a confrontation on terrain he meticulously chose. The Pratzen Heights offered a commanding view, making it ideal for Napoleon’s military campaign to lure the Allied forces into a trap, showcasing his mastery of Central European history’s battlegrounds.
Map of the Battle of Austerlitz
The Austerlitz battlefield was a complex landscape of rolling hills, villages, and frozen waterways, with the Pratzen Heights as its strategic heart. This elevated Pratzen Plateau, rising gently above the surrounding terrain, divided the battlefield. To the north lay villages like Bosenitz and Telnitz, while to the south were frozen ponds, including the Satschan Pond, and marshes that later proved deadly. The Goldbach Stream ran parallel to the heights, creating a natural barrier.
The Grande Armée, numbering approximately 73,000 men, was positioned west of the Goldbach Stream. Jean-de-Dieu Soult’s IV Corps held the right flank near Telnitz, Joachim Murat’s French cavalry was in reserve for rapid strikes, and Louis-Alexandre Berthier, Napoleon’s chief of staff, coordinated logistics. The French artillery, strategically placed, supported infantry advances. The Austro-Russian army, with around 85,000 troops under Tsar Alexander I and Emperor Francis II, initially held the Pratzen Heights, extending their lines to southern villages like Sokolnitz.
Napoleon’s strategic deception involved weakening his right flank to entice the Allies to attack, leaving the heights vulnerable. This setup allowed the French Army to exploit the terrain, turning the Pratzen Heights into the focal point of a French military success. The battlefield’s layout, with its mix of open fields and natural obstacles, underscored Napoleon’s ability to adapt battle formations to the terrain.
Progress of the Battle of Austerlitz
The Battle of Austerlitz unfolded as a masterclass in Napoleon’s tactics, demonstrating his military leadership and ability to manipulate the enemy’s Allied strategy. The Third Coalition, advised by Mikhail Kutuzov, planned to outflank Napoleon’s right wing, believing it vulnerable. Napoleon, however, had orchestrated this perception, deliberately weakening his right to draw the Austro-Russian army off the Pratzen Heights.
On December 2, 1805, a thick fog blanketed the battlefield, obscuring movements until the sun broke through, later dubbed the “Sun of Austerlitz.” The battle progressed in four key phases:
- Early Engagements: At dawn, the Allies launched a massive assault on the French right near Telnitz and Sokolnitz. Jean-de-Dieu Soult’s corps, supported by French artillery, held the line despite intense pressure, absorbing the Allied advance and stretching their forces.
- Capture of Pratzen Heights: As the Allies committed troops southward, Napoleon seized the opportunity. Around 9 a.m., Soult’s IV Corps stormed the now-weakened Pratzen Heights, capturing the plateau in a swift, coordinated assault. This move split the Austro-Russian army, disrupting their cohesion.
- French Counterattack: With the heights secured, Napoleon unleashed Joachim Murat’s French cavalry and additional infantry under Jean-de-Dieu Soult to exploit the gap. The Allied center collapsed, and the French pursued, routing the enemy toward the southern ponds.
- Allied Retreat: The Austro-Russian army’s retreat turned chaotic as French artillery bombarded the frozen Satschan Pond, causing the ice to break and drowning hundreds of fleeing soldiers. Mikhail Kutuzov attempted to rally his troops, but the Russian withdrawal and Austrian surrender were inevitable.
Napoleon’s battle tactics, including feigned weakness and rapid redeployment, showcased his tactical genius, turning Austerlitz into a decisive battle that bolstered morale in warfare for the Grande Armée.
Number of Casualties
The Battle of Austerlitz exacted a heavy toll, reflecting its intensity and strategic stakes:
- French Army: The Grande Armée suffered approximately 1,300 killed, 7,000 wounded, and 600 captured, totaling around 8,900 casualties. These losses, though significant, were relatively light compared to the Allied toll, providing a morale boost for the French.
- Austro-Russian Army: The Allied forces faced catastrophic losses, with estimates of 15,000 killed or wounded and 12,000 captured, totaling around 27,000 casualties. The destruction of entire units, including artillery and supply trains, crippled the Third Coalition’s military capacity.
The disparity in casualties underscored the French military success and the Allied defeat, highlighting Napoleon’s ability to maximize enemy losses through superior battle tactics. The loss of Allied artillery and prisoners further weakened the Austrian Empire and Russian Empire, paving the way for French dominance.
Who Won the Battle of Austerlitz?
The Battle of Austerlitz resulted in a resounding French victory, with Napoleon Bonaparte decisively defeating the Third Coalition led by Tsar Alexander I and Emperor Francis II. Mikhail Kutuzov, despite his strategic caution, could not counter Napoleon’s maneuvers. The victory dismantled the Third Coalition, forcing the Austrian Empire to negotiate the Treaty of Pressburg, signed on December 26, 1805, in Vienna.
The Treaty of Pressburg ceded significant territories, including Tyrol and Venetia, to France and its allies, solidifying French dominance in Central European history. The battle’s outcome weakened the Austrian Empire and prompted the Russian Empire’s temporary withdrawal from the conflict, reshaping the European power balance. Austerlitz cemented Napoleon’s reputation as a tactical genius, with French marshals like Jean-de-Dieu Soult and Joachim Murat playing pivotal roles in the Napoleonic Wars.
Conclusion
The Battle of Austerlitz, fought on December 2, 1805, remains a pinnacle of Napoleon’s tactics and a defining moment in the Napoleonic era. By leveraging the Pratzen Heights and employing strategic deception, Napoleon Bonaparte secured a French victory that reshaped European conflicts. The Grande Armée, guided by French marshals and supported by French artillery and French cavalry, demonstrated unparalleled military leadership, leading to the Allied defeat and the Treaty of Pressburg. Austerlitz’s legacy endures in 19th-century warfare, symbolizing French military success and the complexities of the War of the Third Coalition. Its lessons on battle tactics and morale in warfare continue to inspire military studies, cementing its place as a landmark in European history.
