Battle of Sacile

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Battle of Sacile Part of the War of the Fifth Coalition Date 16 April 1809 Location Sacile, Republic of Venice, Italy Result Austrian victory Belligerents  Austrian Empire First French Empire  Kingdom of Italy Commanders Archduke Johann of Austria Prince Eugène de Beauharnais Strength 40,000 36,000 Casualties and losses 4,000 total: 3,500 dead and wounded 500 captured 6,500 total: 3,000 dead 3,500 wounded 15 guns lost

v • d • e War of the Fifth Coalition Sacile – Teugen-Hausen – Raszyn – Abensberg – Landshut – Piave River – Eckmühl – Ratisbon – Ebersberg – Aspern-Essling – Bergisel – Raab – Wagram – Gefrees – Armistice – Walcheren

The Battle of Sacile took place on April 16, 1809, between 40,000 Austrians under the Archduke John, and 36,000 French and Italians under Eugène de Beauharnais, Viceroy of Italy.

On April 9, 1809, Austria declared war on France. Archduke John crossed the Italian border with his army forcing the French to retreat and regroup behind the Tagliamento River. However, pre-empting the threat posed by the troops of Archduke John, Prince Eugène had already positioned his troops on the border in Friuli and Venetia. In particular, General Grenier's 3rd division was positioned in the town of Sacile. Prince Eugène organised a defence of the town in preparation of a counter-attack.

The Austrians arrived at Sacile on 16 April, having been delayed by a string of minor actions at Pordenone and Ospedaletto. The majority of the fighting occurred in the vicinity of the newly constructed bridges over the river. Fighting lasted throughout the morning until an Austrian flank movement, which menaced the French line of retreat, forced Eugène to retire. The Frence fell back to the Piave River where both sides would meet again.