Battle of Ulm
Ulm, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
What happened
Napoleon's French army, with Marshal Michel Ney, fought the Austrian army of General Karl Mack. During the campaign of 1805, Napoleon's army crossed the Danube and cut the Austrian army off from its Russian allies and its escape routes. Austrian units were beaten in a series of smaller fights. Mack's main army, surrounded at Ulm, then surrendered.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was won mainly by clever marching rather than heavy fighting. It is still studied in military schools.
What came next
The Austrian surrender let Napoleon take Vienna about a month later. Mack introduced himself to Napoleon as 'the unfortunate General Mack'.
Did you know?
Ulm is also the birthplace of Albert Einstein, and its minster has one of the tallest church steeples in the world, at 161.53 metres.
Timeline
- 16-20 October 1805The Ulm campaign ends in Austrian surrender.
- 1879Albert Einstein is born in Ulm.
- 1891Ulm Minster is completed.