Battle of Ronco facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Ronco |
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| Part of the Neapolitan War | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Austrian Empire |
 Kingdom of Naples |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
 Adam Albert von Neipperg |
 Joachim Murat |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 3,000 | 8,000 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 150 killed or wounded | 1,000 killed or wounded | ||||||
The Battle of Ronco was a fight during the Neapolitan War. It happened on April 21, 1815. The battle took place in a village called Ronco, which is in modern-day Italy. This village is just south of a city called Forlì.
The main army from Naples was retreating. They had just faced a big defeat at the Battle of Occhiobello. An Austrian army group was chasing them. This group was led by Adam Albert von Neipperg. The Neapolitan army was commanded by their king, Joachim Murat. They decided to stop and fight the Austrians at the Ronco River.
However, the Neapolitan rear guard was defeated. This was the part of the army that protected the main force from behind. A smaller group of Austrian soldiers managed to beat them. This forced King Murat to retreat even further south. He moved his army towards the Savio River. The Austrians did not lose many soldiers. Only about 150 were killed or hurt. But the Neapolitans lost many more. About 1,000 of their soldiers were killed or wounded. Many others also left Murat's army.
Contents
What Was the Neapolitan War?
The Neapolitan War was a short conflict in 1815. It happened right after Napoleon Bonaparte escaped from exile. Napoleon was a famous French military leader. He had been sent away to an island. When he returned, he tried to regain power. This period is known as the Hundred Days.
The war was fought between the Kingdom of Naples and the Austrian Empire. Naples was led by King Joachim Murat. He was Napoleon's brother-in-law. Murat wanted to unite all of Italy under his rule. He also wanted to keep his throne. The Austrians, however, wanted to stop him. They saw him as a threat.
This war was part of a bigger struggle. It was about who would control Europe after Napoleon's first defeat. Many countries wanted to bring back the old kings and queens. Murat's actions went against these plans.
Who Was Involved in the Battle?
Two main groups fought in the Battle of Ronco.
The Kingdom of Naples
The Neapolitan army was led by their king, Joachim Murat. He was a brave soldier. He had been a marshal under Napoleon. Murat was known for his cavalry charges. He hoped to win battles quickly. This would help him gain control of Italy.
At Ronco, Murat's army was much larger. They had about 8,000 soldiers. But they were also tired and losing hope. They had been retreating for a while.
The Austrian Empire
The Austrian forces were led by Adam Albert von Neipperg. He was an Austrian general. Neipperg was a skilled commander. He was known for his careful planning. His army was smaller than Murat's. They had about 3,000 soldiers. But they were well-organized and determined.
The Austrians were part of a larger effort. They wanted to restore peace in Europe. This meant stopping Murat's plans for Italy.
What Happened During the Battle of Ronco?
The Battle of Ronco was not a large, long fight. It was more of a clash between parts of the armies.
The Neapolitan Retreat
Murat's army was moving south. They were trying to escape the Austrians. They had suffered a big loss earlier. This made their morale low. Retreating armies are often disorganized.
The Ronco River Stand
Murat decided to make a stand at the Ronco River. Rivers can be good places to defend. They can slow down an enemy. He hoped to stop the Austrian chase. This would give his main army time to regroup.
The Austrian Attack
General Neipperg's advanced forces reached the river. They were a smaller group. But they attacked the Neapolitan rear guard. The rear guard is the part of an army that protects the back. It is important during a retreat.
The Austrians fought well. They managed to defeat the Neapolitan rear guard. This was a quick but important victory for them.
What Was the Result of the Battle?
The Battle of Ronco was a clear victory for the Austrians.
Casualties
The Austrians had very few losses. Only about 150 of their soldiers were killed or wounded. The Neapolitans, however, suffered greatly. Around 1,000 of their soldiers were killed or wounded. This was a heavy blow to Murat's army.
Murat's Further Retreat
After this defeat, Murat had no choice. He had to continue his retreat. He moved his army even further south. This showed that the Austrians were gaining the upper hand. The Battle of Ronco was another step in Murat's downfall. It helped lead to the end of the Neapolitan War.
