Battle of Loano

Battle of Loano
Part of the Italian campaigns in the War of the First Coalition
Battle of Loano, by Hippolyte Bellangé
Date 23–24 November 1795 Location Loano, Liguria, Italy 44°07′00″N 8°15′00″E / 44.1167°N 8.2500°E / 44.1167; 8.2500 Result French victory
Belligerents
First French Republic	Habsburg Austria Kingdom of Sardinia
Commanders and leaders
Barthélemy Schérer André Masséna Pierre Augereau	Count of Wallis Michelangelo Colli
Strength
25,000–40,000	18,000–53,000
Casualties and losses
1,700–3,000	7,000–7,500 48–80 guns
class=notpageimage| Location within Northern Italy Show map of Northern Italy Battle of Loano (Europe) Show map of Europe

The Battle of Loano (23–24 November 1795) saw the French Army of Italy led by General of Division (GD) Barthélemy Louis Joseph Schérer attack the Allied armies of Habsburg Austria and the Kingdom of Sardinia-Piedmont led by Feldzeugmeister (FZM) Olivier, Count of Wallis during the War of the First Coalition. The assault took the Austrians by surprise since it occurred so late in the year. Additionally, the previous Austrian commander resigned the day before the attack. While the French left flank troops pinned down the Sardinian forces opposing them, the French center broke through the Allied center, forcing the Austrians to retreat. Meanwhile, the French right flank forces steadily pressed back the Austrians on the coast. The French gained a more favorable position, but Schérer did not exploit his victory. André Masséna distinguished himself during this battle and is credited with the French victory.^[1]