Battle of Trebbia (1799)

The battle of Trebbia took place on June 6-8, 1799 . The number of the French army participating in the battle was 35-36 thousand people (together with the division of General De La Poix - 38.5 thousand), of which about 25 thousand participated in the battle by the morning of June 7, and 2 divisions (about 11 thousand) arrived on the night of June 7-8. The total strength of the army of Suvorov was about 32 thousand people (Russian and Austrians), of which 24 thousand participated in the battle, and 8 thousand guarded the rear of the Russian army, which was nominated by the 14-thousand army of General Moreau .

The battle began on the evening of June 6, when the advanced units of Suvorov reached the Tidone River, making an unprecedented march-maneuver (almost without stops, 80 km were completed in 36 hours). Most of the units lagged behind during the march (according to Bagration Suvorov’s report, less than 40 people remained in the company) and pulled themselves up at night, but the sudden blow of small troops led to the complete defeat of the French, who lost about 1.2 thousand prisoners and about 2 thousand killed, were driven back to Trebbia.

Suvorov’s plan at the Battle of Trebbia was that, having fettered the French troops in the center and on the right wing by Austrian forces, they would break through the French left wing, strike the rear and destroy the French army with the blow of the Russian troops. To achieve this goal, up to 15 thousand people — two thirds of Suvorov's forces — were concentrated on the left wing. The battle of June 7 took place on equal footing and culminated in another defeat of the French army, which was again driven back and suffered heavy losses. However, due to the great fatigue of the troops of Suvorov, who did not rest after the march and the energetic actions of the Austrian allies, the French army was not defeated.

At night, the reinforcements that came up drastically changed the balance of power. MacDonald , who knew that the number of Russian troops was small, decided to go on the offensive. Suvorov, aware of the approach of the fresh French troops, did not cancel the offensive and did not change the direction of the main attack. The battle of June 8 was marked by a critical moment in the center of the Russian troops, retreating under the onslaught of many times superior French forces. However, the mere appearance of Suvorov in the center was enough for the just retreating, almost defeated troops to take the French to flight. According to eyewitnesses, the arrival of Suvorov replaced the appearance of thirty thousand people on the battlefield. During the day, Russian troops on the left flank defeated and destroyed the bulk of the French troops with bayonet attacks. By evening, the French army was "made completely impossible to fight." ^[1] Broken army units were driven back for Trebbia. On the battlefield remained 6 thousand French. There were 7154 wounded (on the morning of June 9 they were captured). More than 5,000 prisoners were taken in the battle on June 6-8 (total number of prisoners: 4 generals ( Ryuska (seriously wounded), Salm (wounded), Cambrai (died of wounds) and Olivier (seriously wounded); 510 officers (including 8 colonels), 11,766 non-commissioned officers and privates), as a result of which the total losses of the French in the Battle of Trebbia exceeded 18,000 people. Suvorov lost about 900 people killed. 4,300 were injured. 500 Austrians captured in the afternoon of June 8, to In the evening, they were liberated by Russian troops. The total losses of Suvorov amounted to 5200 people. ^[2]

On the night of June 8, the command of the French army on the council unanimously concluded that the resumption of the battle the next day would lead the French army to an immediate disaster. The French troops, leaving the wounded, took off and began to retreat.

The persecution, which according to Suvorov’s plan was to lead to the complete destruction of the Neapolitan army, was conducted without proper energy by General Melas for two days and led to the capture of another 7,000 French. Thus, the total losses of the French army ranged from 23 to 25 thousand people. Its minor remnants joined the French Italian army of Moreau. The Neapolitan army as a result of the battle of Trebbia ceased to exist.

According to Denis Davydov , MacDonald after many years will say about his defeat:

I was young during the battle of Trebbia. This failure could have a detrimental effect on my career, I was saved only by the fact that Suvorov was my winner. / Denis Vasilyevich Davydov “ Meeting with the Great Suvorov ”

.

• Battle Plan of Trebbia 1799
• Counter battle on the river. Trebbia 1799 A.N. Bogolyubov. "General art of A. V. Suvorov."