Battle of Milazzo (1718) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Milazzo
Part of the War of the Quadruple Alliance
Date 15 October 1718 Location Milazzo, Sicily Result Spanish victory
Belligerents
Holy Roman Empire	Spanish Empire
Commanders and leaders
Count Wirich Philipp von Daun	Marquis of Lede
Strength
6,000	9,300
Casualties and losses
1,500 killed or wounded 300 prisoners	1,500 killed or wounded 200 prisoners

The Battle of Milazzo was a fight that happened on October 15, 1718. It took place near the city of Milazzo in Sicily, Italy. This battle was part of a bigger conflict called the War of the Quadruple Alliance. It was fought between the armies of Spain and Austria.

What was the Battle of Milazzo?

The Battle of Milazzo was a key moment in the War of the Quadruple Alliance. This war involved several powerful European countries. Spain fought against a group of countries known as the Quadruple Alliance. This group included Austria, Britain, the Dutch Republic, and France.

Why did the battle happen?

After a previous war, the King of Spain, Philip V of Spain, had lost control of some lands in Italy. He really wanted these lands back. So, he decided to invade two islands: Sardinia in 1717 and Sicily in 1718. Sardinia was controlled by Austria, and Sicily had been given to the Duke of Savoy.

Spain's Goals

King Philip V saw a chance to get his lands back. France was going through changes after its king, Louis XIV, had died. Also, Austria was busy fighting another war against the Ottoman Empire. Spain took advantage of these situations to try and reclaim its lost territories.

A New Alliance Forms

However, the war between Austria and the Ottoman Empire ended in July 1718. This allowed Austria to focus on Spain. Soon after, on August 2, 1718, the Quadruple Alliance was formed. This powerful group of countries stood against Spain.

Meanwhile, a Spanish army of 30,000 soldiers, led by the Marquis of Lede, had taken over almost all of Sicily. They were trying to capture the city of Messina.

Then, on August 11, a British fleet led by Sir George Byng attacked and destroyed the Spanish navy in the Battle of Cape Passaro. This was a big loss for Spain. Two months later, on October 13, the British fleet helped an Austrian army land near Milazzo. This Austrian army was led by Count Wirich Philipp von Daun. Their goal was to stop the Spanish siege of Messina. This led directly to the Battle of Milazzo on October 15.

The Fight Begins

The Austrian army launched a surprise attack very early in the morning. They hoped to catch the Spanish off guard.

A Surprise Attack

Two Spanish cavalry units, called Dragoon regiments (Batavia and Lusitania), quickly moved to stop the Austrian attack. They fought bravely, giving the rest of the Spanish army time to get ready. These two regiments suffered heavy losses, but their sacrifice was important.

Spanish Counterattack

Because of the Dragoons' actions, the Marquis of Lede was able to organize a counterattack. The Spanish pushed the Austrians back. They chased the retreating Austrian soldiers, causing many more casualties.

What happened next?

The Austrians lost about 1,500 soldiers who were either killed or wounded. They also had 300 soldiers taken prisoner. The Spanish army had similar losses, with 1,500 killed or wounded and 200 prisoners.

The Spanish managed to capture Messina. However, the Marquis de Lede did not completely drive the Austrians off the island. He left them a small area around Milazzo. This small area, combined with the British navy's control of the sea after the Battle of Cape Passaro, allowed the Austrians to send more troops to Sicily the next year. This led to another important battle, the Battle of Francavilla.

See also

In Spanish: Batalla de Milazzo (1718) para niños