AspernEssling

AspernEssling was a significant battle of the Napoleonic Wars fought on May 21-22, 1809, near the villages of Aspern and Essling, south of Vienna, Austria. This engagement marked the first time Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte's Grande Armée was defeated in a pitched battle for many years. The French army attempted to cross the Danube River and confront the Austrian forces under Archduke Charles of Austria.

The battle began on May 21st with the French crossing the Danube. However, the Austrian army, well-positioned and determined, launched a strong counterattack. The fighting was fierce and protracted, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. The French, initially on the offensive, found themselves increasingly pressed by the Austrians. A critical moment occurred when a section of the French supply bridge across the Danube was damaged, severing French reinforcements and supplies.

On May 22nd, despite desperate efforts by Napoleon to rally his troops and push back the Austrians, the French position became untenable. The damage to the bridge and the relentless Austrian assault led to a French withdrawal. This defeat, though not strategically decisive in the broader context of the war, was a major blow to Napoleon's prestige and morale. It demonstrated that his seemingly invincible army could be beaten. The Battle of Aspern-Essling resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with estimates varying, but generally placing French losses around 30,000 and Austrian losses around 25,000. The battle led to a period of regrouping before the decisive Battle of Wagram later that summer.