Battle of Saint Gotthard
Austro-Turkish War (1663–1664) · Saint Gotthard, present-day Hungary
Summary
Coalition victory on 1 August 1664 at Saint Gotthard (Hungary): Montecuccoli and Coligny's French contingent repulsed the Ottoman army crossing the Raab. The battle halted the Turkish advance toward Vienna, but the Peace of Vasvár, deemed humiliating, did not capitalise militarily on this success.
Historical context
On 1 August 1664 near Szentgotthárd in Hungary, the Imperial coalition army of Raimondo Montecuccoli, reinforced by a French contingent of 6,000 men under Jean de Coligny-Saligny, faced the Ottoman army of Grand Vizier Fazıl Ahmed Pasha during the Austro-Turkish War (1663-1664). The Ottomans sought to cross the Raab to march on Vienna.
Tactics
Janissaries crossed the Raab on a makeshift bridge on the night of 31 July to 1 August, but poorly trained Imperial German troops gave way to Ottoman looting. Montecuccoli then launched a coordinated counter-attack with Coligny's French and Austrian troops: the Ottoman rout ended with the bridge collapsing and many fugitives drowning.
Consequences
The allies lost 2,000 to 6,000 men; the Ottomans 8,000 to 10,000, mainly janissaries and sipahis. Despite victory, Emperor Leopold I signed the Peace of Vasvár on 10 August 1664, restoring the status quo ante bellum, arousing Hungarian indignation (Magnates' Conspiracy). France sent Childeric's treasure to Louis XIV in thanks.