The Battle of Leipzig, aerial view from the west. The Elster River is in foreground left and lower right center, fed by tributaries, the Luppe River, foreground right and the Pleisse, upper right center. The city of Leipzig, Saxony is in the center, Gohlis in left foreground and Lindenau in right foreground. The forested area between the rivers is swampy and impassable by bodies of troops. Leipzig and Lindenau are connected by a single bridge and a causeway as shown. Beyond Lindenau is the way west and the only viable retreat route for the French army. The battle developed as a near perfect circle roughly centered on Leipzig. At "9:00" is the Prussian army led by Marshal Blucher. At 10:00 is the Swedish army led by former French Marshal Bernadotte, now crown prince of Sweden. At 11:00 is the Prussian corps of Bulow under Bernadotte's command. At 12:00 is the bulk of the Austrian cavalry which attempted to flank the French position on the first day of the battle. At 1:00, between two roads and in position on hill is the Austrian corps of Klenau. In the upper right of the photo may be seen the bulk of the Austrian army, which anchored its left flank on the Pleisse River and the town of Crobern and is heavily supported by the Russian Guard. At lower right, beyond Lindenau, may be seen the edge of the Austrian attempt to envelope the French retreat route and the French forces which eventually scattered that effort. The distance from front to rear of the photo represents approximately six to eight miles. Numerous smaller towns and lesser roads were also present in this terrain. The scenario as shown depicts the deployment for the French attack against the main Austrian force on the first day - Oct 16, 1813 - of the battle, as well as the deployment of the progress of the Prussian force and the arrival and deployment of the Swedes on Oct 18. The total number of troops in the battle was approximately half a million. An additional force of 70,000 Russians under Bennigsen deployed on the east of the Allied perimeter, but is not shown for lack of space in this depiction.
Leipzig from the northwest.
Leipzig from the northwest, the town of Gohlis in the foreground. At left and center foreground is Marshal Blucher's Prussian force pressing French Marshal Marmont's corps towards the city.
Leipzig from the northeast.
Blucher's Prussians.
Leipzig from the northeast. Marmont's corps is defending the city against the Prussian advance. Infantry has formed squares against Prussian cavalry at lower left. Lindenau and the causeway are at upper right.
The view from behind the Swedish front line.
The battlefield from the northeast.
The main field of battle, from the northeast.
French Marshal Reynier's defense (right) against Bernadotte's lackadaisical effort by Swedes and Prussians (left).
Leipzig
The cavalry action on the far right of the Austrian line, nearly due east of the city. French forces under Sebastian stymy the attempt by Pahlen's Austrians to evelope the French flank.
The deployment for the main battle to the southeast of Leipzig on the first day. In what was probably the most violent and ambitious action of the entire four day battle, Napoleon has massed the bulk of his army against the Austrian army under Marshal Schwarzenberg. In a classic Napoleonic tactical maneuver the Emperor is attacking Klenau's corps at lower right wth the corps of French Marshal McDonald thereby calling Austrian and Russian reserves from the main force (at left) to reinforce the right flank. Meanwhile, the bulk of the French army, including the heavy cavalry and the Guard, is massed behind a grand battery ready to assault the Austrian army.
The deployment as seen from the southeast.
Napoleon's grand battery, foreground, the assault corps of Lauriston, Victor and Oudinot in support, the Guard at right of the road, Murat's heavy cavalry at left, the Guard cavalry and reserve artillery at back right.
The right flank of the French assault deployment. At photo center, left of the heavy cavalry, Polish Marshal Poniatowski's corps.
Leipzig from the southeast.
The Imperial Guard
The cavalry of the Imperial Guard
The Old Guard and Guard infantry.
The French deployment as seen from the south.
The cuirassier of the heavy cavalry corps.
The French heavy cavalry
The Russian Guard and Guard cavalry, which would salvage the ruins of the Austrian army as the French attack drove it far to the rear.
Austrian Marshal Schwarzenberg's main force with the Russian Guard in support. At upper right Russian grenadiers and Austrians may be seen marching to support Klenau on the right flank.
In an attempt to take the French position in rear, Austrian general Meervelt's corps has move between the Elster and Pleisse rivers and debauched at the town of Connewitz. The attack was repulsed and and the bridgehead retaken.
Leipzig from the southwest.
The battlefield from the southwest.
The Austrian corps of Gyulai attempts to cut off the French to the west of Lindenau.
Marshal Bertrand's corps reinforces Lindanau and prepares to scatter Gyulai's corps.
The battlefield to the west of Lindenau
Lindenau from the north.
Leipzig from the west, the causeway in the foreground.
Leipzig
The Battle of Leipzig