The Battle of Austerlitz, fought on 2 December 1805, was one of Napoleon Bonaparte’s most decisive victories. Also known as the Battle of the Three Emperors, it saw the French Empire defeat the combined forces of the Russian Empire under Tsar Alexander I and the Holy Roman Empire under Emperor Francis II. It effectively ended the Third Coalition and cemented Napoleon’s reputation as a military genius.
Background
In the months leading up to the battle, Napoleon had lured the Russian and Austrian forces into central Europe through a series of strategic withdrawals. By feigning weakness, he encouraged the Allies to take the offensive. The French army, operating with speed and coordination, chose the battlefield near the town of Austerlitz (now Slavkov u Brna in the Czech Republic) with care, allowing Napoleon to exploit the terrain.
Forces
The armies were uneven in size and experience. The French forces were leaner but better coordinated and led. The Allies had greater numbers but suffered from divided command and logistical confusion.
| Side | Total Troops | Infantry | Cavalry | Artillery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | ~73,000 | ~52,000 | ~11,000 | ~140 guns |
| Coalition | ~85,000 | ~69,000 | ~16,000 | ~278 guns |
Leaders and Troop Composition
France (First French Empire):
- Emperor Napoleon I – Supreme commander
- Marshal Soult – Commanded IV Corps, crucial at Pratzen Heights
- Marshal Lannes – Held the northern flank
- Marshal Murat – Led the cavalry
- Marshal Bernadotte – Supported from the north
Russia and Austria (Third Coalition):
- Tsar Alexander I – Nominal commander
- General Mikhail Kutuzov – Senior Russian field commander
- Emperor Francis II – Political presence, little tactical input
- Prince Bagration – Commanded the right wing
- General Weyrother – Author of the Coalition’s flawed battle plan
Arms and Armour
French Forces:
- Muskets: Charleville Model 1777
- Artillery: Gribeauval system field guns
- Cavalry Sabres and Cuirassier breastplates (limited use)
- Uniforms were standardised but practical, often modified in the field
Coalition Forces:
- Russian infantry: Flintlock muskets, heavier uniforms unsuited to mobility
- Austrian artillery: Effective but poorly positioned
- Russian and Austrian cuirassiers: Heavily armoured cavalry with sabres and pistols
- Diverse uniforms, sometimes creating confusion in identification
The Battle Timeline
Early Morning (before 8:00 AM)
The Coalition launched a major assault on the French right, expecting to collapse it and encircle Napoleon’s centre.
Mid-morning (9:00 AM – 11:00 AM)
Napoleon, anticipating this move, held the line and launched a surprise attack at the weakened Allied centre on the Pratzen Heights. Marshal Soult led the assault with precision.
Midday (11:00 AM – 1:00 PM)
French troops broke through the Allied centre, cutting their army in half. Russian and Austrian units began to falter under pressure.
Afternoon (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
A panicked retreat began. Part of the Allied army fled toward frozen lakes south of the battlefield. French artillery fire shattered the ice, drowning hundreds.
Evening
The remaining Allied forces withdrew in disorder. The battlefield was strewn with thousands of dead and wounded.
Archaeology
Modern archaeology at Austerlitz has recovered musket balls, uniform buttons, sabre fragments and artillery shot. Ground-penetrating radar has helped map troop movements and burial pits. Some local museums near Slavkov u Brna display recovered items from the field. Despite urban development, sections of the Pratzen Heights remain preserved and accessible.
Contemporary Quotes
Napoleon Bonaparte (bulletin to Paris, 1805):
“The enemy’s army is no more. I have terminated the war with a single blow.”
General Kutuzov (report to Tsar Alexander):
“We were outmanoeuvred, not outnumbered. The field was chosen against us.”
French soldier’s letter (anonymous):
“The fog lifted and the eagles struck. We saw their line break like twigs under boot.”
Legacy
The French victory at Austerlitz reshaped the map of Europe. It led to the Treaty of Pressburg, dissolved the Holy Roman Empire and forced Austria into temporary submission. Napoleon established dominance over continental Europe and briefly secured peace on his terms. Strategically and symbolically, it was the peak of his military career.
Today, the battlefield remains a studied site in military academies, not only for its bold tactics but for its exploitation of enemy error. Austerlitz is still invoked when discussing decisive command, timing and the value of selecting one’s ground.
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