Battle of Castiglione
Italian Campaign (French Revolutionary Wars) · Castiglione delle Stiviere, Lombardy, Italy
Summary
On 5 August 1796, at Castiglione delle Stiviere, Napoleon Bonaparte and his generals Masséna and Augereau defeated the Austrian columns of Quasdanovich and Wurmser attempting to relieve besieged Mantua; victory at Monte Medolano, key to the maneuver, neutralized this relief offensive.
Historical context
The Austrians sought to relieve the besieged garrison of Mantua, but Napoleon organized an effective defense.
Tactics
Augereau designed a feint in the center followed by a voluntary withdrawal to provoke an Austrian counter-attack, while Despinoy and Masséna were to strike the flanks and Sérurier arrive from the rear. After Fiorella's premature arrival, Bonaparte improvised: assault on Monte Medolano supported by Marmont's artillery and a cavalry charge, breaking Wurmser's line.
Consequences
The siege of Mantua continued, considerably weakening coalition forces.