The Second Coalition (3)
1798 to 1801
The
Austrian commander, General
Michael Melas, quickly pulled his men back to face the
new threat. The only good news he received was that of the
surrender of Massena.
It
was, however, the beginning of a dire period for Austria.
An Austrian army was beaten at Montebello by General
Jean Lannes, but the situation almost worked in Melas'
favour as an overconfident Bonaparte stretched his forces
too far and walked into the Austrian commander's full force
at Marengo.
It was almost a battle of two halves as first the Austrians
had the decisive edge, then the arrival of General
Louis Desaix and reinforcements swung it entirely in
France's favour.
The ensuing rout destroyed Austria's army in Italy and any
hopes for the Second Coalition.
In
the German theatre, Moreau beat the Austrians at Stockach,
Moskirch, Ulm and Hochstadt - a series of defeats that led
to the replacement of General Paul Kray with the Archduke
John.
The
last major battle of the Second Coalition was at Hohenlinden
where the Austrians again were decisively beaten.
With
French forces advancing on Vienna from several directions
the Austrians sued for peace and signed the Treaty
of Luneville.
|