Naval operations on Lake Garda (1866)

Naval operations on Lake Garda (1866)
Part of the Third Italian War of Independence

Gargnano being bombarded by Austrian ships.
Date25 June – 25 July 1866
Location
Result Austrian victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of Italy  Austria
Commanders and leaders
Augusto Elia
Giuseppe Avezzana
Moritz Manfroni von Montfort
Strength
5 gunboats
1 regiment of volunteers
4 artillery batteries

22 boats including:

  • 2 steamers
  • 6 propeller gunboats
  • 3 sailing gunboats
Casualties and losses
Steamship Benaco captured
3 dead
8 injured
2 damaged gunboats
Map showing Lake Garda on the frontier between Italy and Austria, 1866

The naval operations on Lake Garda in 1866 during the Third Italian War of Independence consisted of a series of clashes between flotillas of the Kingdom of Italy and the Austrian Empire between 25 June and 25 July that year, as they attempted to secure dominance of the lake. The Austrian fleet, based on the eastern bank of the lake, was larger, more modern and better-armed than their Italian counterpart, and successfully maintained control of the waters, hindering the movement of Italian troops.