Battle of Palestro

The Battle of Palestro opposed Franco-Sardinian troops commanded by General Mac Mahon and his subordinate La Motte Rouge to Austrian army of General Zobel. Strategic objective: secure key crossing on Sesia to allow allied army to maneuver toward Novara. Frontal attack of French units combined with bold flank maneuver by zouaves surprised Austrians. Presence of King Victor Emmanuel II in combat raised morale. Enemy was repulsed with heavy losses.

Napoleon III, allied with Kingdom of Sardinia, engaged France in war against Austria to support Italian unification. Austrian forces in defensive position in Lombardy attempted to contain allied advance. Palestro on Sesia constituted essential choke point allowing deployment of Mac Mahon's army on Lombard plain. Operation was therefore essential to open road to Novara and prepare decisive engagement at Magenta.

At dawn French troops crossed Cavour canal and attacked Austrian positions frontally. Simultaneously zouave column crossed ford and attacked Austrian flank by surprise. Well-positioned French light artillery disorganized enemy lines. Sardinians led by Victor Emmanuel II in person held bridgeheads and blocked counteroffensive. Partial encirclement provoked panic in Austrian ranks who retreated toward Robbio.

Victory at Palestro opened way to Battle of Magenta few days later. It reinforced prestige of General Mac Mahon, soon made Marshal of France. It also marked tactical effectiveness of Franco-Sardinian cooperation. Politically this success consolidated alliance between Paris and Turin, weakened Austrian hold on northern Italy, and brought cause of Italian unification closer to decisive victory.