Battle of Campo Tenese

Overview

The Battle of Campo Tenese saw two divisions of the French Army of Naples led by Jean Reynier attack the left wing of the Royal Neapolitan Army under Roger de Damas. Though the defenders were protected by field fortifications, a French frontal attack combined with a turning movement rapidly overran the position and routed the Neapolitans with heavy losses. The action occurred at Campotenese, a little mountain village in the municipality of Morano Calabro in the north of Calabria. The battle was fought during the War of the Third Coalition, part of the Napoleonic Wars.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance

Campo Tenese was fought during the French campaign to seize the Kingdom of Naples following the War of the Third Coalition. The French Army of Naples under Reynier engaged the Royal Neapolitan force under de Damas, which held a defensive position protecting the approaches into Calabria. The rout of the Neapolitan army with roughly 1,000 casualties opened the way into the region and undercut the Kingdom of Naples's ability to mount organized resistance against the French advance.

Tactics

Forces & casualties

Commanders (2)