MARSHAL LOUIS N. DAVOUT AND THE ART OF COMMAND A ...

arrival of Napoleon. Then, without any consultation with the Emperor, he conducted the initial attack achieving enough success to distract the Austrians. This enabled Lannes and the Wurttembergers to advance on the Austrian left flank. Additionally, Davoutfs actions in holding the villages of the Laichlings under extreme pressure were another example of his outstanding tactical abilities. After Davout had received confirmation of Napoleon's movement north he developed a plan based on his vision of the battle. He knew the basic direction of advance and predicted where Napoleon's forces would arrive. He also predicted their approximate time of arrival. His battlefield vision then extended beyond the initial engagement to what actions he had to take . . . . . .throughout the day. ~ivout then translated this vision into a series of orders to his two divisional commanders, Friant and St Hilaire. Davout then had the moral courage to pursue the execution of his vision. This was evident in his stand at the Laichlings when the Austrians fell back from Lannes' attacks. Had Davout not held at Laichling the Austrians would have had an exposed French flank to attack. Davout realized that the Austrian's would fall back to the Eckmuehl-Ratisbon highway. This was their only line of retreat and Davout was well aware of that fact from the previous day's fighting. He was also well aware that