Capitulation of Ulm 1805 • Revolution & Empire
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20 October 1805 French victory

Capitulation of Ulm

German Campaign (War of the Third Coalition) · Ulm, Bavaria (Holy Roman Empire)

Summary

From 15 to 20 October 1805, General Mack's Austrian army, about 27,000 men, capitulated at Ulm in Bavaria without decisive battle. Napoleon, on forced march, outflanked the Austrian army and cut its retreat lines. Mack surrendered on 20 October; 23 generals and 40 colors were captured. Ulm is considered the model of Napoleonic strategic maneuver.

Historical context

The Third Coalition (Austria, Russia, Britain) declared war on France in 1805. Mack concentrated the Austrian army in Bavaria, allied to France, believing he would cut Napoleon off from Vienna. Napoleon abandoned the Rhine maneuver and marched at great speed down the Danube's right bank to envelop Mack.

Tactics

Napoleon divided his Grande Armée into parallel columns converging on Ulm. Murat, Lannes, and Soult cut Austrian retreat routes. Mack attempted several breakouts that failed; Austrian garrisons surrendered successively (Haslach, Elchingen). On 20 October Mack capitulated with most of his army still intact but encircled.

Consequences

France eliminated Austria from the conflict before Russian arrival. Napoleon could turn toward Austerlitz (2 December 1805). Ulm demonstrated superiority of speed and maneuver over brute force; Napoleon declared: 'I defeated the Austrians by my marches.' Capitulation without major battle remains unique in Napoleonic wars.

Location

Place : Ulm, Bavaria (Holy Roman Empire)
Coordinates : 48.3984°N, 9.9916°E

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