Battle of Dürenstein
German Campaign (War of the Third Coalition) · Dürenstein, Danube Valley, Austria (present-day Dürnstein, Lower Austria)
Summary
Gazan's division, isolated in a gorge on the Danube, was encircled and attacked from all sides by a greatly superior Austro-Russian force. Mortier sent reinforcements to prevent annihilation. Fighting was bloody and intense, but the French managed to extricate themselves.
Historical context
On 11 November 1805, three weeks after Ulm, Gazan's division (~4,600 men) was attacked in the narrow defile of Dürenstein by far more numerous Austro-Russian forces under Koutouzov, while Mortier had advanced too far with an isolated division.
Tactics
The Russians attacked from the front and flanks, trapping the French between the hills and the Danube. Mortier arrived too late to cut the Russian retreat, but thanks to Dupont's division and slow enemy maneuvers, the division escaped destruction.
Consequences
Although the French escaped destruction, the battle showed the limits of rapid advance without coordination. The alarm prompted Napoleon to tighten his columns before the decisive battle to come.