Battle of Velletri

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Battle of Velletri
Part of the War of the Austrian Succession
Camillo Guerra, Carlo III alla battaglia di Velletri, Reggia di Caserta.png
Charles VII of Naples at the Battle of Velletri by Camillo Guerra. Oil on canvas (1850).
Date12 August 1744
Location
Velletri (present-day Italy)
41°42′0.000″N12°40′59.999″E / 41.70000000°N 12.68333306°E / 41.70000000; 12.68333306
Result Spanish-Neapolitan victory
Austrian invasion of the Kingdom of Naples crippled
Belligerents
Flag of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (1816).svg Kingdom of Naples
Bandera de Espana 1701-1748.svg Kingdom of Spain
Banner of the Holy Roman Emperor without haloes (1400-1806).svg Habsburg Monarchy
Commanders and leaders
Flag of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (1816).svg Charles VII of Naples
Flag of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (1816).svg Duke of Castropignano
Bandera de Espana 1701-1748.svg Comte de Gages
Banner of the Holy Roman Emperor without haloes (1400-1806).svg Prince of Lobkowicz
Strength
12,000 10,000
Casualties and losses
Less than half of those of the enemy 2,000 dead
2,000 captured
Italy relief location map.jpg
Red pog.svg
Location within Italy
Europe relief laea location map.jpg
Red pog.svg
Battle of Velletri (Europe)

The Battle of Velletri occurred on 12 August 1744 in the War of the Austrian Succession, between Austria and the Kingdom of Naples. After seizing Velletri in a nighttime attack and capturing much of King Charles' royal entourage, the Austrian army joined battle with Charles' army outside the city. The Austrians were rapidly thrown back and retreated north toward Rome with Charles in pursuit.

Contents

The surprise on Monte Piccolo

On 17 June, as darkness fell, 12,000 troops moved towards the fortifications of Monte Piccolo. At dawn the Walloon grenadiers of the Spanish regiments occupied the battery of Monte Piccolo, while other troops occupied the Artemisio Male, La Fajola and set fire to the Pratoni del Vivaro, the commander of the Monte Piccolo garrison (Jan. Pestaluzzi) was captured, probably drunk in a farmhouse of winemakers. The next day, Jean Thierry du Mont, comte de Gages gave the order to withdraw and preserve only the Artemisio ridge line.

Legacy

Painting of Victory at Battle of Velletri Triumph of Charles III at the Battle of Velletri.jpg
Painting of Victory at Battle of Velletri

Raimondo di Sangro took part in the battle of Velletri, distinguishing himself for his courage and skill. Act 3 of the drama Don Álvaro o la fuerza del sino by Ángel de Saavedra, Duke of Rivas, and the opera La forza del destino by Giuseppe Verdi, based on Saavedra's play, is set during the Battle of Velletri.

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