1-155-688 - Art Media/Heritage Images

'Napoleon and Massena on the Island of Lobau', May 1809, (19th century). Moving across the Danube, Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) ensured his base, Lobau Island, was well fortified and linked to the south bank of the river by three guarded spans. A pontoon bridge was used to bridge the river to the enemy-held north bank. Under Austrian attack, reinforcements under Marshal Andre Massena (Prince de Essling, Duc de Rivoli, 1758-1817) and artillery fire support from the grand batteries on Lobau stemmed the Austrian advance and then the battle swung France's way with Marshal Davout pushing back the Austrian left wing.