Battles & Campaigns · 1805
Battle of Wischau
Wischau, Moravia, Czech Republic
What happened
A small French cavalry force under Frédéric Henri Walther and Antoine Lasalle met a much larger Russian advance guard under Pyotr Bagration. Days before Austerlitz, French cavalry ran into Bagration's Russian advance guard near Wischau. After a short fight the French pulled back, and one French dragoon regiment lost its eagle standard.
Why it matters
The small Russian success convinced the Allies that the French army could be beaten easily. Napoleon was at the same time trying to look weak.
What came next
Four days later Napoleon defeated the Russian and Austrian armies at Austerlitz.
Did you know?
The French 11th Dragoons lost their Imperial Eagle in the fight.
Timeline
- 28 Nov 1805Battle of Wischau.
- 28 Nov 1805Allied officers urge an immediate attack.
- 2 Dec 1805Battle of Austerlitz.