Key Facts
- Dates
- 15–17 November 1796
- Distance from Verona
- 25 km (16 mi) southeast
- Duration
- 3 days
- Context
- Third Austrian attempt to relieve Mantua
- Conflict
- War of the First Coalition, French Revolutionary Wars
Strategic Narrative Overview
Davidovich defeated French general Vaubois at Calliano and threatened Verona from the north, while Alvinczi repulsed Bonaparte at Bassano and defeated him again at Caldiero. Bonaparte responded by leaving Vaubois to contain Davidovich and massing his remaining forces to cross the Adige and outflank Alvinczi's left. Two days of French assaults on the Austrian position at Arcole failed, but persistent pressure finally forced Alvinczi to withdraw on the third day.
01 / The Origins
During the War of the First Coalition, Austria repeatedly attempted to relieve its besieged garrison at Mantua, trapped under French general Dagobert Sigmund von Wurmser. Austrian commander József Alvinczi devised a two-pronged offensive: Paul Davidovich would advance south along the Adige River valley while Alvinczi led the main army from the east, hoping the columns would converge, free Wurmser's garrison, and overwhelm Napoleon Bonaparte's French Army of Italy.
03 / The Outcome
Though Davidovich routed Vaubois on the final day, the decision came too late. Bonaparte concentrated against Davidovich and drove him up the Adige valley. Alvinczi, lacking his colleague's support, was too weak to press on and withdrew. Wurmser's breakout attempt was ineffective. The third Austrian relief effort failed, and Mantua remained under French siege, decisively weakening Austria's strategic position in northern Italy.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Napoleon Bonaparte, Claude-Henri Belgrand de Vaubois.
Side B
1 belligerent
József Alvinczi, Paul Davidovich, Dagobert Sigmund von Wurmser.
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.