Historical Note
The second battle of Dego took place the day after the first battle. The main French army had already departed Dego when Vukassovich attacked it early in the morning with five battalions. Most of the French troops assigned to hold Dego had dispersed in search of provisions so the French were easily forced out. Boanaparte returned and attacked almost in the same way as the previous day. Although Vukassovich put up a strong resistance the French numbers were too great and he was forced to withdraw.
Briefings and Orders of Battle
General Baron Josef Phillip Vukassovich :
Yesterday the French attacked Dego and captured Avogadro’s command. Early this morning the
main French army departed Dego and left a small Brigade to oversee the prisoners and hold Dego.
Since they were short on supplies most of the guards dispersed for food. A couple of hours
after the main French army departed you attacked Dego and freed the prisoners. Before
dawn you requested reinforcements from Beaulieu, but so far you have not received a reply.
It’s now 12:00pm April 15, 1796 and your scouts have informed you that the main French army
estimated at over 10,000 men is approaching from the south. Dego is a strategic point and
if you can hold it the present campaign could be won. Where are your troops positioned
and what are their orders?
For a detailed Order of Battle click
HERE.
General-in-Chief of the Army of Italy : Général Napoleon Bonaparte :
Yesterday you captured 4,000 Austrians at Dego. After leaving a small Brigade to hold Dego
and look after the prisoners you departed before dawn to attack other Austrian forces.
About mid-morning you learned that the Austrians attacked Dego and freed the prisoners.
The small Brigade that you left in Dego was severly weakened by a number of men who left
in search of food. The number of Austrians now in Dego are unknown. It’s now 12:00pm
April 15, 1796 and you are approaching Dego from the south, what orders do your commanders have?
For a detailed Order of Battle click HERE.
Dego - April 15, 1796 : After Action Report
Vukassovich withdrew his immediate command from Dego and held Costa, Magliani, Bric Del Poggio and Chiaffoni. Colonel Avogadro remained with his troops at Dego. Avagadro placed them in northern Dego east of the castle, on the heights and in the woods to the east. Vukassovich issued orders to hold their ground as long as possibly could.
Bonaparte was determined to retake Dego but he did not want the Austrians to know exactly what he was up to. He ordered Cervoni to lead the advance up the road to the hill south of Chiaffoni. If Chiaffoni was not held or could be taken he was to attack it. Stengel would follow Cervoni and shake out in the plain in front of Costa to protect the right flank of the main force. Victor would deploy to the left of Stengel and attack Dego from the east after Meynier started his main assault on Dego. Meynier was ordered to attack Dego with his three brigades.
The French army appeared on the road from the south about 12:30pm. They were deployed by 2:30pm and Meynier opened up his guns firing onto the heights east of Dego. Within 20 minutes Meynier sent his first infantry units forward. The battalions in front of Dego advanced in line, those on the right flank were in columns.
Bonaparte could see his plan was working and at 2:50pm he ordered Victor to attack the heights of Dego and Costa. By 3:10pm the first French battalion had pushed the Austrians out of Dego. The Austrians were also falling back on the Dego heights due to the overwhelming fire from Meynier's guns.
Dego 15 April 1796 Map:
On his own initiative Cervoni attacked the forest west of Chiaffoni at 3:40pm. His battalions attacked in columns two abreast with two supporting and one in reserve. Stengel noticed the Austrians on Bric Del Poggio had turned their line to face the threat from Cervoni. He ordered the 5th Dragoons to attack Bric Del Poggio. By 4:10pm it was all over. IR#39 (Nádasdy) had repulsed the 5th Dragoons and taken down 38 troopers. Cervoni's infantry received flanking fire from Chiaffoni on one flank and cannister on the other flank. The woods were held by the veteran unit IR#19 (Alvintzi) who delivered a series of crushing vollies directly into the face of Cervoni's infantry. The entire brigade broke and fell back leaving 200 dead infantry on the slopes.
Costa held out until 4:20 with a cost of 200 Carlstädter Grenz dead. Victor lost 100 men from the 4th Legere.
Vukassovich was delighted. He had held most of the eastern part of the battle field with little loss. Reality hit home when Avogado rode up to him at 4:30pm and informed him that Dego was lost. His command had been overwhelmed forcing him to withdraw northwards. A messenger from Leczeny arrived and confirmed Costa had fallen and Magliani would not be able to hold out on it's own. Vukassovich now fully realizing the entire situation ordered an immediate withdrawal.
Conclusion
It's hard to find fault with the Austrian plan as they had too few units to do too very much. Perhaps if unit placement had been different they may have been able to hang on longer. Would occuping the key position of the castle have made any difference?
The French took Dego, the heights and Costa all according to plan. The size of the French army indicated they should win and their plan and it's execution was almost flawless. Victory belongs to Bonaparte.
