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Battle of Velletri

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Battle of Velletri
Part of the War of the Austrian Succession
Charles VII of Naples at the Battle of VelletribyCamillo Guerra. Oil on canvas (1850).
Date 12 August 1744 Location Velletri (present-day Italy) 41°42′0.000″N 12°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
Kingdom of Naples Kingdom of Spain	Habsburg Monarchy
Commanders and leaders
Charles VII of Naples Duke of Castropignano Comte de Gages	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
class=notpageimage| Location within Italy Show map of Italy Battle of Velletri (Europe) Show map of 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.

The surprise on Monte Piccolo[edit]

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[edit]

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 sinobyÁngel de Saavedra, Duke of Rivas, and the opera La forza del destinobyGiuseppe Verdi, based on Saavedra's play, is set during the Battle of Velletri.

References[edit]

• Levillain, Philippe (2002), The Papacy: An Encyclopedia, Routeledge, ISBN 0-415-92230-5

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