List of battles of the War of the Third Coalition facts for kids
The War of the Third Coalition was a big conflict in Europe, lasting from 1803 to 1806. It was part of the larger Napoleonic Wars, which were a series of wars led by Napoleon Bonaparte of France. In this war, France and its allies fought against a group of countries called the Coalition. This Coalition included powerful nations like the United Kingdom, Austria, Russia, and Sweden.
The main goal of the Coalition was to stop Napoleon's growing power across Europe. This war involved many important battles on land and at sea. Some of the most famous campaigns were the Trafalgar campaign (mostly naval battles), the Ulm campaign (land battles in Germany), and the Austerlitz campaign (land battles in Austria and Czechia). There were also fights in Italy, the Caribbean, and even South Africa!
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Key Battles and Campaigns
This war saw many different types of battles. Some were huge clashes between armies, while others were smaller fights or sieges (when an army surrounds a city or fort to capture it).
The sea was a very important battlefield, especially for the British. They had a strong navy and often fought against French and Spanish ships.
Caribbean and Atlantic Fights
- Battle of Suriname (May 5, 1804): The British fought against Dutch forces in the Caribbean and won.
- Battle of Diamond Rock (May 31 – June 2, 1805): French and Spanish forces took control of a small island called Diamond Rock from the British.
- Action of 15 July 1805 (July 15, 1805): A French victory in the English Channel.
- Battle of Blanc-Nez and Gris-Nez (July 18, 1805): Another French victory in the Channel.
- Battle of Cape Finisterre (1805) (July 22, 1805): A battle in the Atlantic that didn't have a clear winner.
- Action of 10 August 1805 (August 10, 1805): A victory for the Coalition in the Atlantic.
The Battle of Trafalgar
- Battle of Trafalgar (October 21, 1805): This was one of the most famous naval battles in history. The British navy, led by Admiral Horatio Nelson, completely defeated the combined French and Spanish fleets. This victory made sure that Britain would control the seas for many years.
- Battle of Cape Ortegal (November 4, 1805): After Trafalgar, the British chased down and defeated more French ships.
Land Battles
Most of the fighting on land happened in Central Europe, especially in what is now Germany, Austria, and Czechia.
The Ulm Campaign
This campaign took place in Germany and was a quick series of French victories.
- Battle of Donauwörth (October 7, 1805): French victory.
- Battle of Wertingen (October 8, 1805): French victory.
- Battle of Günzburg (October 9, 1805): French victory.
- Battle of Haslach-Jungingen (October 11, 1805): French victory.
- Battle of Memmingen (October 14, 1805): French victory.
- Battle of Elchingen (October 14, 1805): French victory.
- Battle of Ulm (October 16–19, 1805): This was a huge victory for France. Napoleon's army surrounded and captured a large Austrian army. This was a major blow to the Coalition.
Battles in Italy
- Battle of Verona (1805) (October 18, 1805): French victory in Italy.
- Battle of Caldiero (1805) (October 30, 1805): French victory in Italy.
- Battle of Castelfranco Veneto (November 24, 1805): French victory in Italy.
The Austerlitz Campaign
This campaign led to one of Napoleon's greatest triumphs.
- Battle of Mehrnbach (October 30, 1805): French victory in Austria.
- Battle of Lambach (October 31, 1805): French victory in Austria.
- Battle of Amstetten (November 5, 1805): An inconclusive battle in Austria.
- Battle of Mariazell (November 8, 1805): French victory in Austria.
- Battle of Dürenstein (November 11, 1805): An inconclusive battle in Austria.
- Capitulation of Dornbirn (November 13, 1805): French victory in Austria.
- Battle of Schöngrabern (November 16, 1805): French victory in Austria.
- Battle of Wischau (November 25, 1805): Coalition victory in Czechia.
The Battle of Austerlitz
- Battle of Austerlitz (December 2, 1805): Known as the "Battle of the Three Emperors," this was a brilliant victory for Napoleon. He defeated the combined armies of Austria and Russia. This battle effectively ended the War of the Third Coalition.
Other Important Events
- Hanover Expedition (November 19, 1805 – February 15, 1806): British, Russian, and Swedish forces tried to fight the French in Germany, but it ended in a French victory.
- Battle of Blaauwberg (January 8, 1806): The British captured the Dutch Cape Colony (in modern-day South Africa) from the Dutch, who were allied with France.
- Invasion of Naples (1806) (February 8 – July 18, 1806): French forces invaded and took control of the Kingdom of Naples in Italy.
- Siege of Gaeta (1806) (February 26 – July 18, 1806): A long siege that ended in a French victory.
- Battle of Campo Tenese (March 9, 1806): French victory in Naples.
- Battle of Maida (July 4, 1806): A British victory in Naples.
- Battle of Mileto (May 28, 1807): A later French victory in Naples, considered a final part of this invasion.
List of Battles
Here is a table showing the different battles and their outcomes:
See also
- Anglo-Russian occupation of Naples (summer 1805 – January 1806)
- List of battles of the War of the First Coalition
- List of battles of the War of the Second Coalition
- List of battles of the War of the Fourth Coalition
- List of battles of the Fifth Coalition
- List of battles of the War of the Sixth Coalition
- List of battles of the Hundred Days (War of the Seventh Coalition)
- Napoleon's planned invasion of the United Kingdom (planned from 1803 to 1805, but never carried out)
