Aspern-EsslingMay 21, 1809

The outnumbered French forces were forced to fight desperately as the Austrian main army appeared to their front. During the afternoon of May 21, after repulsing some earlier Austrian assaults, the French were finally driven out of half of Aspern by an attack personally led by Charles. Later French counterattacks made no headway by the time the firing finally died down after dark. Neither army got much sleep. Firing broke out again in Aspern at about 0300 hour, but this was a mere diversion as Napoleon massed his forces to break the Austrian center. The French attack started well, but was finally stopped. By afternoon, the fighting again degenerated into savage bickering over buildings in Aspern and Essling. With the French repulse, and with the bridges behind him alternately falling and being repaired, Napoleon accepted the setback, decided not to risk crossing additional troops, and withdrew his survivors to Lobau Island. Marshal Lannes was killed during the withdrawal, and losses were on the order of 20,000 on each side. Although both sides claimed victory, it was really Napoleon's first undisputed defeat as Emperor.