May 1809. After getting off to a thundering start with his campaign, Napoleon had to carry out a difficult military maneuver: crossing a river, in strength in full view of the enemy. The Austrians under Archduke Charles put up a vigorous resistance and together with the capricious River Danube contributed to the French Emperor's first defeat on the Continent.
Associate Professor of History, Gilles Boue is a specialist on military history and regularly collaborates with the historical services of the Department of Defense.