Campaign Move 12 – Wurmsters First Advance

Move 12 - 0800 to 1200 25 July 1796

All divisions start the campaign with sufficient supplies for 6 moves (two days). 

When they are reduced to 3 moves (one day) they can resupply

To do so they must halt, and avoid contact with the enemy, for one day

Bonaparte is aware that Wurmster has reorganised the Army of Italy at Trent in order to raise the siege of Mantua.

He now receives reports that the Austrians are advancing south in four columns

He decides to cover Mantua by holding Verona, and strike at the western Austrian column

He orders 3^rd and 4^th divisions to concentrate at Verona

5^th division will march north and attack the Austrians at Salo

6^th division will maintain the siege of Mantua

Mantua Campaign – August 1796

Strategic Map of Italy at start of campaign

Background to the campaign

By late may 1796 Bonaparte had driven the Austrians out of Italy, but they had left behind a strong garrison at the fortified city of Mantua. 

On 19 July 1796 Bonaparte laid siege to the city.

Tactical Map of Mantua campaign area at start of campaign

The French army of 50,000 men held the area south of Lake Garda.   They expected that the Austrians would attempt to raise the siege and were deployed to cover any approach to Mantua from the north or west.

Beaulieu was replaced by Wurmster who took command of an army of 50,000 men at Trent on 24 July 1796.   He ordered an immediate advance south to raise the siege of Mantua

Austrian Army of Italy

General Wurmster has four divisions

Their supply base is at Trent

They have orders to raise the siege of Mantua

1^st division commanded by Quosdanovich is at Limone      

2^nd division commanded by Melas is at Roverto

3^rd division commanded by Davidovisch is at Roverto

4^th division commanded by Szoboszlo is at Bassano

French Army of Italy

Bonaparte also has four divisions

His supply base is at Brescia

He has deployed his army to lay siege to Mantua

3^rd division commanded by Massena is at Verona

4^th division commanded by Argereau is at Arcola

5th division commanded by Sauret is at Lonato

6^th division commanded by Despinoy is at Mantua

Campaign Move 11 – End of Piedmont Campaign

 Move 11 - 1200 to 1600 12 April 1796

Bonaparte defeats the Austrians at Alessandria

By nightfall Beaulieu is in full retreat to the north

Bonaparte orders 3^rd and 6^th divisions to pursue the Austrians

He will march on Turin with h 4^th and 5^th divisions.

On 16 April 1796 Colli surrenders Turin.

Bonaparte has achieved a remarkable victory over the combined Sardininian and Austrian army and has forced the Austrians to abandon eastern and central Italy.