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| | The French Bridging Operations across the Danube in 1809 |
 | | The island Lobau is about 4372 yards across, from N.E. to S.W., and about 2240 yards from N.W. to S.E., convexing, towards Entzersdorf and Essling, in a large, regular curve, round which the left branch of the river flows, in a widt of about 141 yards. |
 | | The pontoneers having procured, at Vienna, materials sufficient for the construction of two bridges of boats, the island of Lobau, which the Austrians had but feebly occupied, was taken possession of, on the 18th of May, without much difficulty, by some troops of General Molitor's division, which were transported in row-boats. |
 | | The village of Essling was taken and retaken five times in the course of the 21st; and on the 22d, that village, and Gross Aspern likewise, became the scenes of repeated and sanguinary operations, with alternate success and discomfiture. |
| www.napoleon-series.org /military/battles/bridges/c_danube.html (815 words) |
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