Piave River 1809 order of battle

The Piave River 1809 Order of Battle shows the units and organization for the Franco-Italian and Austrian Empire armies that fought in the Battle of Piave River on 8 May 1809. Eugène de Beauharnais, the viceroy of the Kingdom of Italy defeated Archduke John of Austria.[1] Eugène's Advance Guard crossed the river first and was assailed by Austrian cavalry and artillery. The French cavalry routed the opposing cavalry and captured 14 enemy guns. A lull followed as John arranged his infantry in a formidable defensive position. Meanwhile, Eugène struggled to pour reinforcements into the bridgehead as the Piave rose dangerously. In the afternoon, the viceroy sent Paul Grenier to drive back the Austrian left while Jacques MacDonald mounted an assault on the center. The attack succeeded in breaking the Austrian line and compelling John to order a retreat.[2]

Franco-Italian Army

Eugène de Beauharnais, Viceroy of Italy
Eugène de Beauharnais

Army of Italy: Eugène de Beauharnais[3][4]

Advance Guard and Reserve

MacDonald's Corps

Portrait of man in marshal's uniform with much gold braid and a red sash
Jacques MacDonald

General of Division Jacques MacDonald (14,580, 24 guns)

Grenier's Corps

Paul Grenier
Paul Grenier

General of Division Paul Grenier (16,800, 18 guns)

Baraguey d'Hilliers' Corps

Print of bald man in French general's uniform
Louis Baraguey d'Hilliers

General of Division Louis Baraguey d'Hilliers (21,000, 18 guns)

Grouchy's Cavalry

Emmanuel Grouchy
Emmanuel Grouchy

General of Division Emmanuel Grouchy (7,500, 12 guns)

Austrian Army

Archduke John of Austria
Archduke John

Army of Inner Austria: General der Kavallerie Archduke John of Austria[6]

Cavalry and Advance Guard

Johann Maria Philipp Frimont
Johann Frimont

VIII Armeekorps

Feldmarschall-Leutnant Albert Gyulai (7,020, 12 guns)

IX Armeekorps

Ignaz Gyulai
Ignaz Gyulai

Feldmarschall-Leutnant Ignaz Gyulai (12,720, 33 guns)

Notes

  1. ↑ Smith, p 300
  2. ↑ Arnold, p 100-103
  3. ↑ Bowden & Tarbox, pp 110–112. This source includes artillery and estimated strengths.
  4. ↑ Schneid, pp 183–184. Schneid largely agrees with Bowden, but omits artillery and unit strengths.
  5. ↑ Bowden & Tarbox, pp 103. This source lists one French 12-pound battery for the outbreak of hostilities, but omits this for Piave. It is possible this battery fought at the Piave.
  6. ↑ Bowden & Tarbox, pp 113–114. The authors' Austrian order of battle was used, with cited variations.
  7. ↑ Bowden & Tarbox, pp 107–108. This source lists one Austrian 12-pdr position battery for each Armeekorps at the outbreak of hostilities, but none for Piave. It is possible these two batteries were present at the Piave.
  8. ↑ Schneid, p 185
  9. ↑ Smith, p 300. Smith lists Kalnássy's brigade as part of VIII Armeekorps.
  10. ↑ Schneid, p 186. Schneid lists Albeck in place of Chimani.
  11. ↑ Smith, p 300. Neither Bowden & Tarbox nor Schneid list Sebottendorf's brigade.

References

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