1809May, 21
The first day of the Battle of Aspern-Essling between the Austrian army led by Archduke Charles and the French army led by Napoleon I of France sees the French attack across the Danube held.
In the Battle of Aspern-Essling (21–22 May 1809), Napoleon crossed the Danube near Vienna, but the French and their allies were attacked and thrown back across the river by the Austrians under Archduke Charles. It was the first time Napoleon had been personally defeated in a major battle, as well as his first defeat in over a decade. Archduke Charles drove out the French but fell short of destroying their army. The Austrian artillery dominated the battlefield, firing 53,000 rounds compared to 24,300 French.
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Events on 1809
- 16Jan
Battle of Corunna
Peninsular War: The British defeat the French at the Battle of La Coruña. - 10Apr
War of the Fifth Coalition
Napoleonic Wars: The War of the Fifth Coalition begins when forces of the Austrian Empire invade Bavaria. - 20Apr
Battle of Abensberg
Two Austrian army corps in Bavaria are defeated by a First French Empire army led by Napoleon at the Battle of Abensberg on the second day of a four-day campaign that ended in a French victory. - 17May
Papal States
Emperor Napoleon I orders the annexation of the Papal States to the French Empire. - 5Jul
Battle of Wagram
The largest battle of the Napoleonic Wars, the Battle of Wagram is fought between the French and Austrian Empires.