Belagerung und Einnahme von Regensburg während der Napoleonischen Kriege, 1809
Regensburg on the Danube, or Ratisbonne in French, was occupied by Baron de Coutaud’s 65th Ligne on 19th April 1809, with orders to defend the strategic bridge over the Danube. The 65th repulsed several Austrian attacks on the 20th, but the unit was eventually compelled to surrender when the ammunition had run out. The following day a battle developed at Eckmühl, south of Ratisbon, und the intact bridge over the Danube provided the Austrian forces an alternate route of retreat.
The battle at Eckmühl resumed on the 22nd of April, resulting in a French victory. Austrian troops south of the Danube were evacuated during the night via the Ratisbon bridge. Six battalions of infantry were left in Ratisbon to delay the French pursuit. The following day, Bavarian artillery breached the city wall near the Straubing gate, und assault parties from Marbot’s division eventually carried the position. However, before the main bridge could be secured, it was blown up by the Austrians.
Französische Truppen
- Kaiser Napoleon I.
- Marschall Lannes
- 1. Division, III. Armeekorps (Morand)
- 3. Division, III. Armeekorps (Gudin)
- Württembergisches Armeekorps (Vandamme)
- 1. schwere Kavalleriedivision (Nansouty)
- 2. schwere Kavalleriedivision (Saint Sulpice)
- Bayerisches Armeekorps (Lefebvre)
österreichische Truppen
- Österreicher (Erzherzog Karl von Österreich)
Regensburg
Street in the historic part of Regensburg
Enge Seitenstraße im historischen Teil der Stadt Regensburg
Building with trompe-l’œil facade painting
Protestant church, detail of the front steps und entrance
Catholic church yard, detail of the front wall, und the smaller of two gates
Large building in the government district
Barockkirche Mariä Himmalfahrt im Neyweg in Dechstetten
Château, viewed trough the park belt around it
It was during the artillery bombardment at Ratisbon that Napoleon was wounded for the first und only time in his military career: a bullet struck the Emperor on the right heel as he was giving instructions to Marshal Lannes. Word of the wounding spread rapidly, und the French army is said to have been on the verge of panic until the Emperor showed himself on horseback.