Battles & Campaigns · 1815
Battle of the Panaro
Panaro River, near Modena, Italy
What happened
A Neapolitan army under King Joachim Murat, with Michele Carrascosa and Pietro Colletta, fought an Austrian force under Frederick Bianchi. Murat, King of Naples, declared war on Austria and marched north. A Neapolitan division crossed the Panaro River and charged the Austrian position, while another column pressed the Austrian flank, and Bianchi retreated.
Why it matters
The Austrians were pushed back behind the Po River. Neapolitan troops occupied Modena, Reggio Emilia and Carpi.
What came next
A week later, Murat failed to cross the Po at Occhiobello, and the tide turned against him.
Did you know?
Naples declared war while Austrian troops were still gathering, so Bianchi had only about 6,600 men to face Murat.
Timeline
- 2 Apr 1815Neapolitans capture Bologna.
- 3 Apr 1815Battle of the Panaro.
- 8–9 Apr 1815Battle of Occhiobello.