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

counter orders did nothing but confuse the situation. As a subordinate, Davout was not able to correct Berthier's deficiencies. Strategically and operationally Davout had saved the French from possible defeat on two occasions, his actions for the remainder of the first phase of the 1809 campaign were tactical in nature. As a tactical commander he saved the French no less than three more times during the four days of fighting. The first example being the fighting at Teugen-Hausen on the nineteenth. Davout understood the criticality of joining forces with Lefebvre and the remainder of the French Army. He therefore conducted an economy of force mission to protect his forces and stop the Austrian advance, thus preventing Charles from isolating the two wings of the French Army. Additionally, it enabled Davout to present a solid front to the Austrians. He then defeated an Austrian corps with only one French division. If Charles could have interposed himself between the two wings of the French Army he could possibly have defeated them in detail. Davout continued to play an important role during the next two days due to Napoleon's fixation with his drive on Landshut. Davout held off the main army while Napoleon chased an already defeated Austrian corps across Bavaria. Although seeing only limited action on the