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Historical ConflictGraz

Battle of Graz

The Battle of Graz demonstrated the resilience of the French 84th Line Infantry, outnumbered roughly ten to one, while contesting Austrian supply lines in the 1809 campaign.

Duration & Scope

1809 ongoing

< 1 year

Key Facts

Dates
24–26 June 1809
French units engaged
Broussier's division + Marmont's corps
Austrian commander
Ignaz Gyulai
84th Regiment's honor
UN CONTRE DIX (One Against Ten) inscribed on colors
Distance from Vienna
145 kilometres south-southwest

Strategic Narrative Overview

Gyulai's appearance forced Broussier to retreat, allowing Austrians to resupply the Graz garrison. On the night of 25 June, Broussier sent two unsupported battalions of the 84th Line Infantry against the town. Vastly outnumbered, the French held their position until the following afternoon before breaking out of encirclement. Marmont's corps then arrived and attacked, compelling Gyulai to withdraw from the city, though the citadel remained under Austrian control.

01 / The Origins

During the War of the Fifth Coalition in 1809, Napoleon's Franco-Italian army advanced through Austria, leaving Broussier's French division behind to besiege the Austrian garrison holding the citadel of Graz. Austrian General Ignaz Gyulai moved his corps toward Graz in late June, seeking to resupply the besieged garrison and relieve pressure on Austrian forces operating in the region south of Vienna.

03 / The Outcome

The French secured a tactical victory by driving Gyulai away from Graz, though the Austrian garrison retained the castle hill. Napoleon subsequently ordered both Marmont and Broussier to Vienna, where they joined the Battle of Wagram on 5–6 July 1809. In recognition of its stand against overwhelming odds, the 84th Line Infantry Regiment was granted the battle honor UN CONTRE DIX on its regimental colors.

Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis

Side A

1 belligerent

French Empire
Key Commanders

Jean-Baptiste Broussier, Auguste Marmont.

Side B

1 belligerent

Austrian Empire
Key Commanders

Ignaz Gyulai.

Outcome
French victory; Gyulai forced to retreat; Austrian garrison retained the Graz citadel

Kinetic Engagement Axis

Major engagements timeline (1809–present)Timeline of major military engagements plotted chronologically.1809present1809Battle of GrazAllied1809Battle of WagramAllied

Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.

Side A victorySide B victoryInconclusiveDecisive / turning point

Location

Map of Graz, AustriaMap of Graz, AustriaGraz, Austria