Zurich

(2nd battle)
26 September, 1799

Three months after the first battle of Zurich, a reinforced Marshal Massena's found himself in another unenviable position of having to fend off vastly greater numbers of Russians under the legendary Field Marshal Suvarov.

Advancing through alpine passes, Suvarov wanted to ensure his enemy would not escape and so sent more than half his army of 58,000 men to cut off Massena's line of retreat.

The French commander, however, acted with a Bonapartish style and, after sending a small force to slow Suvarov's progress through the passes, rounded on the other Russian army under General Alexander Korsakov.

He smashed into the Russians and scattered them, causing 8000 casualties and capturing supplies, baggage and cannons.

Then, Massena turned on Suvarov and in a brilliant offensive operation drove him away - killing, wounding and capturing almost 14,000 Russians.

The result of Massena's victory was the destruction of the legend of Suvarov who, blamed for the debacle died only months afterwards - and the withdrawal of Russia from the Second Coalition.