At the start of the War of the Fifth Coalition, Nordmann was appointed to lead a brigade in Karl von Vincent's division of Johann von Hiller's VI Armeekorps. His brigade included the "Saint George" Grenz Infantry Regiment # 6, "Rosenberg" Chevau-léger Regiment # 6, "Liechtenstein" Hussar Regiment # 7, a 3-pounder Grenz brigade battery (eight guns), and a 6-pounder cavalry battery (six guns). Hiller immediately detached Nordmann to observe the approach of André Masséna's corps, while he took the VI Armeekorps north to Mainburg on 19 April 1809. While Hiller's left wing was being defeated at the Battle of Abensberg on 20 April, Masséna's advance forced Nordmann's brigade back to Moosburg an der Isar. The next day, as Hiller suffered another rout at the Battle of Landshut, Nordmann was pressed back to Landshut along the east bank of the Isar River by the French.