French victory at Biberach compelled Austrian General Kray to continue his eastward retreat during the War of the Second Coalition.
Key Facts
- Date
- 9 May 1800
- Distance from Ulm
- 35 km (22 mi) southwest
- Austrian casualties vs French
- Twice as many as French
- French commander
- Laurent Gouvion Saint-Cyr
- Austrian commander
- Pál Kray
- Conflict
- War of the Second Coalition
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
In late April 1800, French General Moreau crossed the Rhine near Basel and struck Kray's forces at Stockach and Engen on 3 May, capturing the Austrian base of supplies and forcing Kray into retreat. Kray attempted to check the French pursuit at the Battle of Messkirch on 5 May but was defeated again, leaving his army in continued withdrawal toward the east.
On 9 May 1800, the French corps under Laurent Gouvion Saint-Cyr caught up with part of Kray's retreating Austrian army near Biberach an der Riss. The two forces engaged in battle, during which the Austrians suffered approximately twice the casualties inflicted on the French, reflecting the momentum advantage held by Moreau's army throughout this campaign.
Following his defeat at Biberach, Kray withdrew further to the east, ceding additional territory and strategic initiative to the French. The engagement was one of several successive Austrian reverses in early May 1800 that deepened the crisis of the Habsburg position in southern Germany during the War of the Second Coalition.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Laurent Gouvion Saint-Cyr.
Side B
1 belligerent
Pál Kray.