The Vienna Battle of 1683

Introduction

The Ottomans explored and conquered Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries. At the time, the Ottoman Empire was the superpower, along with Poland, Spain, and France. Being primarily Muslims, the Ottomans desired religious harmony throughout the territory they had conquered. In other words, the Ottomans sought to spread Islam throughout Europe. Therefore, failure by any territory to submit to its demand resulted in coercion through war. The Viennese were an obstacle to achieving its desire to conquer the Holy Roman Empire, so they were first defeated. Regarding the case, Grand Vizier Kara Mustafa's Ottoman army besieged Vienna for two months. The fate of the city lies in the hands of the outnumbered and outgunned Polish-Austrian army of King Jan III Sobieski. Therefore, this assignment aims to conduct an analysis of OPORD analysis of the Vienna Battle of 1683 and finally provide an assessment of the same.

5-Paragraph Operation Order

1. Situation.  The Ottoman Empire troupes have conquered a large part of Central Europe and are now poised to invade Vienna, Austria. Similarly, the city is the capital of the Holy Roman Empire.
   1. Area of Interest. Ottoman am has surrounded Vienna with a ring of forts and is guarding it. The Polish-Australian army waits outside the city and intends to break through enemies' lines.
   2.  The operational area. Outside of Vienna's city limits. A vast open area, the Danube River, and the Vienna Stream surround the metropolitan. It also includes the nearby hills, which provide the Polish-Austrian forces with a commanding view of the battle.

(1)   Terrain. The landform or surface in the area is generally flat within the city, and the Polish-Austrian forces face obstacles, including marshes.  

(2)    Weather. The weather is cold and wet, and the approximate temperature is around 40°F (4°C) highest and 32°F (0°C) lowest. Furthermore, there is a high chance of precipitation. The wet conditions make it difficult for the Polish-Austrian forces to operate their artillery and for Ottoman forces to maintain their siege of the city.

1. c.       Enemy Forces.
   1.  Structure, disposition, and strength. The Ottoman army consists of five elements: infantry, cavalry, archers, artillery, and Tatar forces. The infantry has a composition of experienced and well-disciplined troops. Besides, the cavalry is made of mounted troops. On the other hand, the archers consist of skilled bows and arrow users. Furthermore, there is an artillery component made of cannons and muskets. Finally, there are Tatar forces, mainly containing nomadic warriors who have advanced skills in using swords and other weapons. The right-wing comprises the Janissary, while the one to the left comprises the light infantry, cavalry, and auxiliary forces. The troops are forming a semi-circle around the city. The Ottoman Army is set to deploy many artillery pieces, including cannons, mortars, and howitzers, to bombard the city and its walls. There are approximately 300,000 forces in total
   2. Capabilities & limitations in DRAW-DG format: defend, reinforce, attack, withdraw, delay, gas (CBRNE). Ottoman forces anticipated using their superior numbers to their advantage. Sappers can plant explosives to breach city walls. Ottoman forces are expected to dig trenches around the city to strengthen their defensive position. Ottoman forces consist of infantry, cavalry, and artillery, allowing them to defend their positions effectively. Similarly, the enemy can reinforce its positions by having Tatars, Moldovans, Wallachians, and Magyar rebels join them. The forces can also attack Vienna with artillery fire and infantry charges. It can withdraw from Vienna if they are unable to take the city. Besides enemy can delay its advance on Vienna by establishing a camp outside the city. The forces have any chemical or biological weapons available to attack. The army relies on the forces of vassal states for additional troops and resources. Thus it cannot quickly increase its numbers
   3. Most-likely COA. The enemy might use its sappers to breach the city wall. Heavily mounted cavalry and skilled gunners will push through after the walls fall and start clearing the city streets. Light artillery strikes will bombard the overwatch post on the city walls. The force will then slaughter women and children in the streets until the surrender of the imperial force.
   4. Most-dangerous COA. It would be a disadvantage for the Ottoman army to continue their siege of Vienna and attempt to take the city by force. This would result in a costly and lengthy battle, as they have fortified the city heavily. There were also combined forces of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Holy Roman Empire, and the Kingdom of Spain, led by King John III Sobieski, to fight that will attack them
   5. Friendly Forces. The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and Holy Roman Empire forces will be distributed along the city's walls on the western and eastern sides. The artillery forces will strategically position themselves along the walls, with the 3 and 12-pound cannons further and back, respectively. They will also force the enemy to use 12-pound cannons from a distance while the 3-pound cannons fire grapeshot and canister shot at close range. The mortars, howitzers, and culverins help fire explosives and grapeshot at the Ottoman forces.
      1. Attachments/detachments. The Polish-Austrian army is made of the Polish Winged Hussars, a cavalry unit, and Austrian forces. The force also has the support of a small number of French and German forces. Additionally, the army has twenty-four field artillery pieces, including cannons and mortars. The enemy Ottoman has much larger cannons and muskets and a formidable cavalry unit.
   6. Civil/Terrain Considerations. Protect the life of 100,000 people citizens under threat of Ottoman forces who massacre them in exchange for surrender. The city is a central hub of trade and commerce in this region, and its loss will have serious economic consequences. A large wall surrounds the city, which is almost impenetrable to the Polish-Austrian forces making attacking the enemy complex.
2. Mission. Break the siege of Vienna and drive the Ottoman forces from the ci...