Allied Brigade Military Gazette

David Banks

Austerlitz 2002

When I was asked by the Allied Forces to Command at Austerlitz 2002 I was both honoured and apprehensive.
Friends in England said : “Ooh! The Czech Republic in December!!! You will freeze to death!!!”
They could not have been more wrong!
But more of that later.
Leaving Newcastle on Wednesday afternoon I flew to Dusseldorf where I was kindly met by Achim and Katja. After a most pleasant evening , we set off at 0400hrs to Bobingen to meet Michael, Stefan, Britta and Andreas. We then set off for Slavkov.
Arriving at the Chateau Austerlitz in the early afternoon we found that the accommodation was not prepared, so we set off for the Monastery of Pater Holecek, where we were royally accommodated. Here we met our Maltese friends.
On Friday morning after breakfast, Pater Holocek took us to see the family crypt of the Liechtensteins (founders of the State of Liechtenstein. This impressive mausoleum had been hidden in trees and undergrowth throughout the years of Communism, but was now in the process of renovation.
Leaving here we returned to the chateau and set up joint Staff Headquarters etc.
Friday evening saw several events.
Manfred and myself rode at the head of a torchlit column to lay a wreath in the tomb of the Kaunitz family (builders of the Chateau and after whom the regiment Kaunitz is named). There was a seemingly interminable Allied Officer’s meeting, and a night battle at Tvarozna. This proved interesting to say the least!! Whilst Ondrej and Manfred deployed the Allied troops, the senior Officers were required to meet the Mayor etc. Unfortunately on leaving this reception Libor and myself had absolutely no idea where our troops were hidden!!
We eventually found them lurking in complete darkness in the pouring rain.
The ensuing battle was spectacular for the watchers but verged upon “Monty Python” for the participants!! At one point I found myself and one Austrian Regiment behind Michael Jaeger and the French Line!!
Saturday dawned with brilliant sunshine which was the pattern for the rest of the weekend. (In actual fact it was actually better weather than back home in Newcastle!!)
The street fighting on Saturday morning was excellent and reminiscent of Elba,
The Allied Army worked superbly with a fighting withdrawal to the chateau more than ably covered by the Jaeger troops. The disciplined firing and retiring of each Unit was excellent to see, and subjected the advancing French to an almost constant barrage of musket and cannon fire.
Saturday afternoon saw the “big battle” of the event under Santon Hill. The senior Officers were once more expected to be seen in the VIP tent and socialise with sponsors etc .We finally escaped and were able to proceed up the hill to the battle site where the troops were forming up.
The French had an entrenched position at the top of a moderate slope. The Allies were at the bottom in three columns with a large artillery presence, and a group of mounted Cossacks.
The battle started with a general bombardment, and a series of attacks on the French line by Allied Jaegers.
Soon it was clear that the French were massing columns on their right, and the battle began in earnest with continuous column attacks from one side or the other, interspersed with light infantry action and wildly charging Cossacks!
The battle proceeded for almost two hours with an incredible amount of movement and firing. Three times the allied column on the right turned the French left flank, and three times the Allied General had to pull them back! (we had to lose remember!!)
Finally we created an opportunity for the French Army to break through the centre and the Allies left the field. Forming up close to the battle field, Manfred and I led a column of the Allies back to Tvarozna to tremendous cheers and applause from the huge crowds present.
All of the troops on the field behaved in an exemplary fashion throughout this and the other battles and I can only say how impressed I was by their behaviour throughout the weekend.
Returning to the Chateau , Stefan, Katja, Libor, Ondrej, Manfred and myself were once more required to be present at a formal dinner with the sponsors.
The evening ended with a proclamation from the balcony of the Chateau by General Roda, followed by music and fireworks. What I enjoyed most of all was seeing the Allied troops lined up in front of the Chateau for this as I stood on the balcony – they really did look good!!
The event closed on Sunday with prayers and the laying of wreaths on the mass graves on the battlefield. The placing of the troops for this small ceremony by Pater Holecek with alternate French/Allied guards was a wonderful finale which said so much about our joint celebration of our European culture. Something which I personally felt was one of the most important concepts of the whole event.
Leaving Slavkov and returning home eventually on Monday evening, I could only reflect upon what was, for me, an excellent weekend. Judging from comments from other re-enactors and members of the public, I think that they too thought that it was a success.
My thanks go to our friends in the Czech Republic for their hard work, and those members of ENS who did so much preparation before the event, but also to every soldier who took part. Congratulations !!
David Banks
ENS President