Siege of Gaeta (1815) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Siege of Gaeta
Part of the Neapolitan War
Map of the 1806 Siege of Gaeta showing the terrain
Date 28 May – 8 August 1815 Location Gaeta, present-day Italy 41°13′00″N 13°34′00″E / 41.2167°N 13.5667°E / 41.2167; 13.5667 Result Anglo-Austrian victory
Belligerents
Austrian Empire  United Kingdom  Kingdom of Sicily	Kingdom of Naples
Commanders and leaders
Joseph Freiherr von Lauer	Maresciallo di Campo Alessandro Begani
Strength
2,500	2,000
Casualties and losses
277 killed or wounded	238 killed 1,762 captured

The Siege of Gaeta in 1815 was an important battle during the Neapolitan War. A siege happens when an army surrounds a city or fort to cut off its supplies and force it to surrender. This particular siege lasted for three months. It took place in the city of Gaeta, which is in modern-day Italy.

What Was the Siege of Gaeta?

The Siege of Gaeta was a key event in the Neapolitan War. This war was fought between the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Naples. The Kingdom of Naples was then ruled by Gioacchino Murat, who was a famous French general and brother-in-law of Napoleon Bonaparte. Murat had been made king by Napoleon, but after Napoleon's defeat, other European powers wanted to restore the old rulers.

Who Fought in the Siege?

On one side were the soldiers defending Gaeta. These were Neapolitan troops, loyal to King Gioacchino Murat. Their commander was a general named Alessandro Begani. On the other side were the attacking forces, mainly from the Austrian Empire. Their leader was General Joseph Freiherr von Lauer. The Austrians also received help from ships of the Royal Navy (the British navy), which helped block supplies from reaching Gaeta by sea.

How Did the Siege End?

The siege began on May 28, 1815. For over two months, the Neapolitan soldiers inside Gaeta held out. However, life inside the city became very difficult. The defenders started to run out of food, and many soldiers became sick. Because of these tough conditions, General Begani and his troops had to surrender. The city of Gaeta officially gave up on August 8, 1815. This surrender marked the end of the Neapolitan War.

Why Was the Siege Important?

When General Begani surrendered, he was given "honorable conditions." This meant that his soldiers were treated with respect, even though they had lost. The fall of Gaeta was the last major event of the Neapolitan War. It helped to bring peace to the region and changed who ruled the Kingdom of Naples.