BATTLE // May 17, 1809

Battle of Linz-Urfahr

Name: Battle of Linz-Urfahr
Start: 1809-05-17
End: 1809-05-17
Location: Battle of Linz-Urfahr

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Significance

The Battle of Linz-Urfahr, fought on 17 May 1809 during the War of the Fifth Coalition, centered on control of a fortified bridgehead on the north bank of the Danube opposite Linz — a position of operational value along one of central Europe's principal river corridors. An Austrian corps under Kollowrat moved to dislodge Vandamme's Württemberg troops from that bridgehead, but the timely arrival of Bernadotte's Saxon corps shifted the balance of strength against the attackers. Kollowrat's decision to withdraw rather than press the assault preserved French-allied control of the crossing and demonstrated the practical contribution of Napoleon's German client states to coalition operations in the 1809 campaign.

Tactics

Kollowrat's Austrian corps attacked Vandamme's Württemberg force, which was holding a fortified bridgehead on the north bank of the Danube. While the fighting was underway, Bernadotte's Saxon troops arrived and reinforced the defenders. Faced with this reinforcement, Kollowrat ordered a retreat, which the allied Württemberg and Saxon forces then pursued.