Battle of Rivoli

Overview

The Battle of Rivoli was a key military engagement during the War of the First Coalition near the village of Rivoli, then part of the Republic of Venice. In the climax of the Italian campaign of 1796–1797, the outnumbered French Army of Italy, commanded by General Napoleon Bonaparte, decisively defeated the attacking Austrian army led by General of the Artillery József Alvinczi. Alvinczi was attempting to march south in a fourth and final effort to relieve the siege of Mantua, despite his deteriorating health. The French victory at Rivoli demonstrated Bonaparte's capability and deftness as a military commander. The French victory also led to the Austrian surrender of Mantua in February, French consolidation of northern Italy, and ultimately France's victory over Austria in the war later that year.

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

Significance

Rivoli marked the decisive engagement of the Italian campaign of 1796–1797, fought near the village of Rivoli in what was then the Republic of Venice. The outnumbered French Army of Italy, around 22,000 troops against an Austrian force of roughly 28,000, defeated General József Alvinczi's fourth and final attempt to march south and relieve the besieged garrison at Mantua. Austrian casualties of 12,000–14,300 against French losses of 3,200–5,000 reflect the scale of the defeat inflicted on Alvinczi's army. The victory directly produced the Austrian surrender of Mantua in February 1797, secured French control of northern Italy, and contributed to Austria's eventual defeat in the wider War of the First Coalition later that year. The battle also consolidated Bonaparte's standing as a commander of exceptional operational ability.

Forces & casualties

Commanders (15)