Battle of Loano | |||||||
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Part of the Italian campaigns in the War of the First Coalition | |||||||
Battle of Loano, by Hippolyte Bellangé | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
First French Republic |
Habsburg Austria Kingdom of Sardinia | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Barthélemy Schérer André Masséna Pierre Augereau |
Count of Wallis Michelangelo Colli | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
25,000–40,000 | 18,000–53,000 | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
1,700–3,000 |
7,000–7,500 48–80 guns | ||||||
The Battle of Loano (23–24 November 1795) saw the French Army of Italy led by General of Division (GD) Barthélemy Louis Joseph Schérer attack the Allied armies of Habsburg Austria and the Kingdom of Sardinia-Piedmont led by Feldzeugmeister (FZM) Olivier, Count of Wallis during the War of the First Coalition. The assault took the Austrians by surprise since it occurred so late in the year. Additionally, the previous Austrian commander resigned the day before the attack. While the French left flank troops pinned down the Sardinian forces opposing them, the French center broke through the Allied center, forcing the Austrians to retreat. Meanwhile, the French right flank forces steadily pressed back the Austrians on the coast. The French gained a more favorable position, but Schérer did not exploit his victory. André Masséna distinguished himself during this battle and is credited with the French victory.[1]