Battles & Campaigns · 1809
Battle of the Piave River (1809)
Piave River, near Nervesa della Battaglia, Italy
What happened
Archduke John made a stand behind the Piave River, but Eugène's larger army crossed it. Rising water slowed reinforcements, but in the late afternoon Eugène's main attack turned the Austrian left and broke their line. The Austrians withdrew into Carinthia and Carniola.
Why it matters
Why it matters: The Franco-Italian victory opened the way for Eugène to advance into the Austrian Empire. It reversed the defeat at Sacile three weeks earlier.
What came next
Eugène beat John again at Raab on 14 June and then joined Napoleon at Wagram on 5–6 July.
Did you know?
Two historians reported that the Austrian artillery commander died here, but he was in fact captured and lived until 1822.
Timeline
- 16 April 1809Battle of Sacile.
- 8 May 1809Battle of the Piave River.
- 14 June 1809Battle of Raab.
- 5–6 July 1809Battle of Wagram.