Battle of Turin 1706 • Classical Era
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Battle of Turin

Classical Era French defeat
Historical significance:

Summary

After a long siege begun in spring, the French encircle Turin, capital of the Duchy of Savoy, and bombard the city. However, the Imperial army led by Eugene of Savoy manages to cross the Alps, outflank the French lines, and launch a decisive attack against the rear of the besieging camp. Caught in a pincer between a sortie by the besieged and an external offensive, the French withdraw in disorder. The encirclement collapses within hours.

Historical context

France sought to subdue Savoy definitively, the last obstacle to total control of northern Italy. Vendôme, ill, is recalled to Flanders, leaving La Feuillade alone facing a poorly directed siege. Eugene catches the French off guard by manoeuvring rapidly from the Trentino.

Tactics

Eugene's bold relief manoeuvre: rapid march, attack on the rear, coordinated sortie by the garrison. French trench lines are taken in reverse, artillery abandoned. Vendôme's absence renders the French response chaotic.

Consequences

End of French control over Piedmont and the Milanese. Major strategic reverse: France loses all military influence in northern Italy. Austria re-establishes its rights over the region. It marks the beginning of the French withdrawal from the peninsula.

Location

Place : Turin, Duchy of Savoy (present-day Italy)
Coordinates : 45.0703°N, 7.6869°E

Related battles

Battle of Cassano

1705

As Prince Eugene attempts to surprise the French army at Cassano, Vendôme counterattacks energetically. Fighting is extremely violent around the bridges and embankments of the Adda. French troops, although disorganized by heat and terrain, succeed in stabilizing the situation and then repelling the Imperial assault. Eugene narrowly escapes capture.

Victory

Battle of the Col d'Exilles

1707

As Imperial armies seek to penetrate France through the Alps, an Austro-Sardinian column attempts to cross the Col d'Exilles, which leads directly toward the Briançonnais and the upper Durance valley. The French, under the Marquis de Médavy, fortify the heights and prepare a defensive ambush. Imperial troops come under crossfire from artillery and musketry from the ridges. After several attempts to break through, they retreat, leaving many dead in the gorge.

Victory

Battle of Ramillies

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Villeroi deploys his army in a rigid line on open ground, believing his center impregnable. Marlborough feints an attack on the French left flank (near Taviers), forcing the French to redeploy their reserves. He then launches a powerful breakthrough on their right flank at Ramillies. The line rupture is swift and decisive: Allied cavalry crushes the French retreat, which turns into a rout. This masterly manoeuvre is one of the most studied of the eighteenth century.

Defeat