ORDER OF BATTLE // May 17, 1809
Battle of Linz-Urfahr
Estimated force strength by side, with confidence labels per surviving record.
Forces engaged
2 sides catalogued · combined 25,000–38,000 estimated
First French Empire
10,000–18,000
Medium-confidence figure
Austrian Empire
15,000–20,000
Medium-confidence figure
Battle context
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.
‹ Full battle dossierSources (6)
Monograph
Armies on the Danube 1809
Monograph
Napoleon and the Archduke Charles
Monograph
Napoleon Conquers Austria
Monograph
The Campaigns of Napoleon
Monograph