Magnano

5 April 1799

Battlefield Guides for Northern Italy

Hoping to attack General Paul Kray before he could be reinforced, General Bathelemy Scherer struck out at the Austrian at Magnano.

At the head of 41,000 men, Scherer launched an attack that was initially successful but Kray's 46,000 troops absorbed the pressure and pinned the French.

That enable Kray to send his reserve troops on a flank attack into the French right. The assault was completely successful and Scherer was forced into a disorderly retreat.

The French lost 3500 casualties, 4500 men captured and a large amount of cannons and supplies. Austrian casualties were 4000 men, with a further 2000 made prisoner.

Magnano was Scherer's last command and he was replaced almost immediately by General Moreau.