Battle of Lonato
Lonato del Garda, Italy
What happened
Napoleon Bonaparte and André Masséna's French army fought an Austrian column under Peter Quasdanovich. In late July, Austrian forces captured several towns west of Lake Garda. The French retook Brescia on 1 August, and after fighting around Lonato and Salò the Austrian column retreated on 3 August. Early the next morning Napoleon, with only a small force at Lonato, bluffed an Austrian column into surrendering.
Why it matters
Beating Quasdanovich removed the threat to the French rear. Napoleon could then turn his forces against the main Austrian army under Wurmser.
What came next
The French defeated Wurmser at Castiglione on 5 August 1796.
Did you know?
Napoleon told the cornered Austrian officer that his 'whole army' was there, though no large French force was nearby.
Timeline
- 1 August 1796The French retake Brescia.
- 3 August 1796Quasdanovich orders a retreat.
- 4 August 1796An Austrian column surrenders at Lonato.
- 5 August 1796Battle of Castiglione.