Battle of Santa Lucia (6 May 1848) First Italian War of Independence

the austrian kingdom of lombardy-venetia, theatre of operations first campaign of war.



the battle of santa lucia. piedmontese grenadiers attack , opposed stationed austrian forces.

as result of pastrengo, charles albert had brought left wing adige. sought push austrians verona spectacular battle, announce brilliant success in time start of new session of chamber of deputies. army faced divided 3 parts: first on east bank of adige pastrengo north, second in villages west of verona, , third part inside walls of verona itself.

it seemed piedmontese pretty defeat austrian forces in front of verona, ignoring or underestimating fact villages had been skillfully , systematically fortified austrians. @ charles albert s request, general bava prepared plan, modified franzini, armed reconnaissance in direction of verona in order provoke battle in open. 1st army, reserve division , 3rd division of 2nd army (i.e. 4/5 of whole piedmontese army) take part in attack, principle target village of san massimo. on 6 may 1848, piedmontese army began advance. movement of various units not synchronised. @ village of san massimo, main attack concentrated, royal brigade 1st division of 1st army came under heavy enemy fire. other brigade in division, aosta brigade, encountered heavy fire in front of village of santa lucia, became focus of piedmontese assault result breakdown of plan of attack..

since charles albert in exposed forward position, general bava contravened plan required him wait other units , attacked santa lucia @ 10 aosta brigade, exposing intense austrian fire. @ 11 am, did guard brigade reserve division arrive assist. able flank village. parts of royal brigade , 2nd division of 1st army began arrive between 12 , 1:30 pm, @ point bava launched assault, focused on cemetery of santa lucia, doggedly defended austrians. however, latter overcome enemy , had abandon positions , withdraw verona.

the piedmontese stalled rather taking advantage of situation. @ 2pm received notice 3rd division of 2nd piedmontese army s attack on hamlets of croce bianca , chievo had failed. news led charles albert order retreat. simultaneously, energetic austrian counter-offensive launched, in radetzky s men made santa lucia, found abandoned piedmontese. @ 6 pm battle over. austrians had rebuffed enemy attack, suffering 72 dead, 190 wounded, , 87 captured. piedmontese had lost 110 men , suffered 776 wounded. failure marked loss of piedmontese initiative, passed austrians.