Napoleon’s First Campaign III: Mantua - The Key To Italy 1796

It is May of 1796, general Bonaparte and his Army of Italy have just achieved two stunning victories, and are poised to drive the Austrians completely out of Italy. The only thing standing in their way is Mantua: an imposing impregnable fortress. If Mantua surrenders, then Bonaparte can launch an invasion of Austria itself, and end the war. However, if Mantua endures, all that Bonaparte has achieved so far, may be undone. This video was Inspired by Epic History TV’s Napoleonic Wars Series: A special thanks to the artist Keith Rocco, who kindly permitted us to use some of his illustrations in this video. For viewers interested in seeing his online gallery, you can use the following link: Among the sources we have used are the following: The Road to Rivoli Napoleon’s First Campaign, by Martin Boycott-Brown; Castiglione 1796, Napoleon repulses Wurmser’s first attack, by Bernhard Voykowitsch