When did the Battle of Lodi take place?
The Battle of Lodi was fought on the 10th of May 1796. It occurred as part of Napoleon Bonaparte's Italian campaign of 1796-1797.
Questions about Battle of Lodi
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who commanded the French forces at the Battle of Lodi?
General Napoleon Bonaparte commanded the French forces at Lodi, with around 15,500 infantry and 2,000 cavalry. Senior officers including Andre Massena, Louis Berthier, Jean Lannes, Jean-Baptiste Cervoni, and Claude Dallemagne led the assault across the bridge.
Who led the Austrian forces at the Battle of Lodi?
Feldmarschall-Leutnant Karl Philipp Sebottendorf commanded the Austrian rear guard at Lodi, with approximately 6,577 men. The main Austrian army was under Johann Peter Beaulieu, who was not present at the battle.
Why was the Bridge of Lodi not destroyed before the French crossed?
Austrian troops attempted to destroy the wooden bridge, but French forces brought up guns to fire along its length, stopping the demolition. The bridge was about 200 yards long and could have been burned, but the French intervention prevented it.
What is the origin of Napoleon's nickname le petit caporal?
Napoleon's troops reportedly began calling him le petit caporal, meaning the little corporal, after he was said to have personally helped direct guns during the cannonade at Lodi. No contemporary evidence confirms this story, but it became part of the Napoleonic legend.
Was the Battle of Lodi a decisive French victory?
The Battle of Lodi was not a decisive engagement because the bulk of the Austrian army managed to escape. Nevertheless, it became a central element in the Napoleonic legend, with Napoleon later saying it convinced him he was destined for greatness.