Battles & Campaigns · 1796
Battle of Theiningen
Deining (Theiningen), Bavaria, Germany
What happened
A French division under Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte faced a much larger Austrian army under Archduke Charles. Bernadotte's division was left on its own when its cavalry failed to arrive. Charles tried to trap it, and the town changed hands several times. Bernadotte's counterattack held the Austrians, and he slipped away at night.
Why it matters
The delay let the main French army retreat toward the Rhine. Bernadotte made Charles think he faced a much bigger force.
What came next
Charles caught Jourdan's army at Amberg and Würzburg, and the French crossed back over the Rhine in September 1796.
Did you know?
Bernadotte was wounded and missed the Battle of Würzburg.
Timeline
- 22 Aug 1796Battle of Theiningen.
- 24 Aug 1796Battle of Amberg.
- 3 Sep 1796Battle of Würzburg.
- Sep 1796French recross the Rhine.