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Raab


Battle Name : Raab

Date(s) : 14 June 1809

Part of : The French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars , Napoleon's Austrian Campaign 1809 ,

Outcome : An inconclusive engagement between Napoleon's Army of Italy [Eugene] and Austrian Army of Italy [Archduke John]

Type of battle : Land

Summary

Prince Eugene de Beauharnais commanded a French force of 43,000 detached from Napoleon's main army in order to hinder the Austrians under Archduke John. Leading a strike force of just 24,000 Beauharnais caught the Austrians near the town of Raab. He first used his cavalry against the left wing of the Austrians then switched it to attack Austrian cavalry. His infantry pushed forward and quickly gained success on the Austrian left but their centre held until more of the French came to the battlefield. Archduke John withdrew northwards.
Beauharnais was able to join Napoleon for the battle of Wagram whereas Archduke John could only come up as far as Pressburg over 30 miles away.

Location

A fortified town [now Gyor] in Hungary near the Slovak border approximately 70 miles west northwest of Budapest. (Hungary)

Casualty figures

Napoleon's Army of Italy [Eugene]

Number engaged :
35,000

Casualties :
4,021 (11.49%)

Austrian Army of Italy [Archduke John]

Number engaged :
31,979

Casualties :
6,235 (19.50%)