? ? ? The Austrian soldiers manning the batteries guarding the vital Tabor bridge over the Danube near Spitz must have looked astonished at the sight of the two French Marshals, unarmed and in full uniform, nonchalantly strolling across the long wooden span.It was on the 27th September 1805, when Napoleon led his army across the Rhine at Strasburg, whilst a second French army crossed at Mainz to come down behind General Mack?s 80,000 strong Austrian army encamped at Ulm. On reaching the river the French found their way blocked by strong defences around the Tabor bridge, and that Austrian engineers were already preparing charges to demolish it should the French attempt a crossing. Time was essential however as Napoleon needed to defeat the Austrian field army before it could unite with their Russian allies.It was Marshal Lannes who came up with the unusual idea to capture the bridge intact- bluff the Austrian Commander, General Count Von Auersperg, who was a senile septuagenarian whose only qualification for military command was his family?s wealth and connections to the Imperial household of Habsburg.Leaving precise instructions as to how their troops were to react, the two French Marshals, Lannes and Murat set off across the bridge well aware that every Austrian Gun was pointed directly at them. Unbeknown to the Austrians however French sappers were secretly climbing under the bridge to cut the fuses to the powder barrels.Halfway across they were met by an Austrian Colonel, who saluted smartly and demanded to know why two noted French Commanders were walking unarmed across the bridge in the midst of a war. Politely the French Marshals stated that they had an urgent message to deliver to Count von Auesperg. Escorted to the Count?s Headquarters, they were first offered a glass of the Count?s best wine as the astonished Austrian General enquired as to their business.?Volte Excellence, be it known to you that Your Imperial Emperor and our Majesty have come to an armistice, and that it is only twenty-four hours ago?, lied the French Marshals.?What did you say? replied the Count ?Ah, armistice, you say? Well that is a different matter.? And with this gave the order to remove the cannon from the bridge?s end. Within two hours two entire French Corps had crossed over without a shot being fired.Whilst Lannes and Murat went on to assure a series of brilliant victories, poor Von Auesperg was eventually Court- martialled and ended his days in a Military prison