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  • Vienna, Austria
    Saturday May 13, 1809
    Napoleon

    Vienna fell for the second time in four years

    Vienna, Austria
    Saturday May 13, 1809

    On 13 May, Vienna fell for the second time in four years, although the war continued since most of the Austrian army had survived the initial engagements in Southern Germany.




  • Austria
    Wednesday May 17, 1809
    Napoleon

    Charles kept the bulk of his troops several kilometres away from the river bank in hopes of concentrating them at the point where Napoleon decided to cross

    Austria
    Wednesday May 17, 1809

    By 17 May, the main Austrian army under Charles had arrived on the Marchfeld. Charles kept the bulk of his troops several kilometres away from the river bank in hopes of concentrating them at the point where Napoleon decided to cross.




  • Lobau, Vienna, Austria
    Sunday May 21, 1809
    Napoleon

    Battle of Aspern-Essling

    Lobau, Vienna, Austria
    Sunday May 21, 1809

    On 21 May, the French made their first major effort to cross the Danube, precipitating the Battle of Aspern-Essling. The Austrians enjoyed a comfortable numerical superiority over the French throughout the battle. On the first day, Charles disposed of 110,000 soldiers against only 31,000 commanded by Napoleon. By the second day, reinforcements had boosted French numbers up to 70,000. It was the first defeat Napoleon suffered in a major set-piece battle, and it caused excitement throughout many parts of Europe because it proved that he could be beaten on the battlefield.




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