Cavalry pickets have made contact both north and south of the Danube near Ratisbon. Both Napoleon and Charles received some limited intelligence, leading each to realize the other is operating in force around Ratisbon. Will either side be drawn into battle, or will the game of maneuver continue another day?
APRIL 18, Turn 4
WEATHER REPORT: Steady rain
JOURNAL: No major battles are declared this morning, perhaps influenced by the return of heavy spring rains. Forced to deal with reduced movement yet again, both armies seem content to use their cavalry to probe for additional reconnaissance. North of the Danube, a French corps drives back the Austrian cavalry screen closer to Ratisbon. Meanwhile, a growing mass of unknown French columns consolidate around Abensberg. Is this for a possible strike toward Ratisbon, or Landshut? Charles cannot be certain and hedges his bets by committing reserves in each direction. Based on the map locations, the French occupy an interior position between two halves of the Austrian army. Have the Austrians truly split their army to cover both Ratisbon and Landshut, or have they cleverly used decoys to stage an illusion?
JOURNAL: No major battles are declared this morning, perhaps influenced by the return of heavy spring rains. Forced to deal with reduced movement yet again, both armies seem content to use their cavalry to probe for additional reconnaissance. North of the Danube, a French corps drives back the Austrian cavalry screen closer to Ratisbon. Meanwhile, a growing mass of unknown French columns consolidate around Abensberg. Is this for a possible strike toward Ratisbon, or Landshut? Charles cannot be certain and hedges his bets by committing reserves in each direction. Based on the map locations, the French occupy an interior position between two halves of the Austrian army. Have the Austrians truly split their army to cover both Ratisbon and Landshut, or have they cleverly used decoys to stage an illusion?