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

gathered intelligence and correctly predicted the Austrian attack, his forces would most likely have been overrun. With Napoleon and the remainder of the army in Spain the Austrians could have driven to the Rhine unhindered. As the campaign evolved, Davoutts efforts focused more on the operational aspects of the action. In March 1809 Napoleon returned to France from where he directed the strategic campaign in Central Europe. Napoleon was simply too far away to make sound operational decisions. Davout, who remained in theater and abreast of the overall picture, could more easily perform that task. It was Davout who maintained contact with Charles and predicted his movement southward, adjusting forces in the theater to meet this southward movement of the Austrians. Had Davout missed this action he would have been positioned north of the Danube when Charles attacked thus leaving the way to the Rhine River open. His operational vision and foresight again saved the French from possible defeat. Davout's operational vision was also evident during the week of 10-17 April. He correctly foresaw the joining of his forces with those of Massena south of Ratisbon. This combined force could have defeated Charles on the first day of battle as Napoleon had wished. However, Berthier arrived to take over operational command of all forces in theater, relegating Davout to corps command once again. Unfortunately Berthier's orders and