French and Savoyard troops numbering over fifty…

French and Savoyard troops numbering over fifty thousand under the command of Charles Emmanuel enters Milanese territory as early as October 24, against minimal resistance, as the Austrian forces in the duchy number only about twelve thousand.

The city of Milan itself has by November 3 surrendered, although the Austrian governor, Count Wirich Philipp von Daun, still holds the fortress.

France's great general, the Duke de Villars, joins Charles Emmanuel in Milan on November 11.

While Villars wants to immediately move to secure the Alpine passes against Austrian reinforcements by moving against Mantua, Charles Emmanuel, mistrustful of his French allies and their dealings with Spain, seeks to secure Milan.

The army will spend the next three months eliminating Austrian opposition from the remaining fortified towns in the duchy.