Arcole, Battle of

The Battle of Arcole or Battle of Arcola (November 15–17, 1796) is a battle fought between French and Austrian forces twenty-five kilometers (sixteen miles) southeast of Verona during the War of the First Coalition, a part of the French Revolutionary Wars.

The battle sees a bold maneuver by Napoleon Bonaparte's French Army of Italy to outflank the Austrian army led by József Alvinczi and cut off its line of retreat.

The French victory proves to be a highly significant event during the third Austrian attempt to lift the Siege of Mantua.

Alvinczi plans to execute a two-pronged offensive against Bonaparte's army.

The Austrian commander ordersPaul Davidovich to advance south along the Adige River valley with one corps while Alvinczi leads the main army in an advance from the east.

The Austrians hope to raise the siege of Mantua where Dagobert Sigmund von Wurmser is trapped with a large garrison.

If the two Austrian columns link up and if Wurmser's troops are released, French prospects are grim.

Davidovich scores a victory against Claude-Henri Belgrand de Vaubois at Calliano and threatens Verona from the north.

Meanwhile, Alvinczi repulses one attack by Bonaparte at Bassano and advances almost to the gates of Verona, where he defeats a second French attack at Caldiero

Leaving Vaubois' battered division to contain Davidovich, Bonaparte masses every available man and tries to turn Alvinczi's left flank by crossing the Adige.

For two days the French assault the stoutly defended Austrian position at Arcole without success.

Their persistent attacks finally force Alvinczi to withdraw on the third day.

That day Davidovich routs Vaubois, but it is too late.

Bonaparte's victory at Arcole permits him to concentrate against Davidovich and chase him up the Adige valley.

Alvinczi, left alone threatens Verona again, but without his colleague's support, the Austrian commander is too weak to continue the campaign and he withdraws again.

Wurmser attempts a breakout, but his effort comes too late in the campaign and has no effect on the result.

The third relief attempt fails by the narrowest of margins.

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