Battle of Marsaglia

Catinat crushes the Austro-Savoyard troops at Marsaglia, inflicting very heavy losses and establishing French supremacy in Piedmont. French discipline and firepower make the difference.

On 4 October 1693, in Piedmont, Catinat attacked Victor Amadeus II of Savoy, allied with Spain, who was besieging Casale and sought revenge after Staffarda; both armies fielded about 35,000 French against 30,000 allies.

Catinat formed three lines (infantry in the center, cavalry on the wings) and attacked along the entire front: disciplined musket fire without prior volleys, bayonets against interspersed squadrons, and gendarmerie outflanking the Savoyard left wing.

The allies left 8,000 dead or wounded, 2,000 prisoners, their guns, and 32 flags; Catinat relieved Casale but could not besiege Turin for lack of equipment, nevertheless consolidating French supremacy in Piedmont.