Napoleon in Italy: Battle of Bassano (3/5)
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In 1796, at the height of the Revolutionary Wars, Napoleon Bonaparte took command of French forces in northern Italy. He was just 26 years old and had never commanded an army before. Within weeks, he had turned his ragged, demoralised troops into a ferocious fighting force, defeating the Austrians and knocking Piedmont out of the war. With success, Napoleon began to believe it was his destiny to shape the fate of nations. In this series, we follow Napoleon's first glorious campaign step by step.
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Wurmser's retreat towards Mantua reminded me a lot of Napoleon's retreat from Russia near the Berezina River. The Austrians were very lucky to find that bridge over the Tione River
Napoleon did not retreat from Russia
@@barsnack7999 Hitler did not lose world war 2
@@barsnack7999 no he was just chilling with the grand armée around russia
@@barsnack7999sure he didnt. Just ran back to France fast as he could. And lost 75% of his army on the way
History does have a weird way of repeating itself doesnt it
You gotta give praise to Wurmser the dude gets out general by Napoleon over and over again but despite that still manages to carry on without throwing in the towel! Says a lot about his character.
As the saying goes, fear the old man in a profession where the young die early. It fits him pretty well considering that he was a cavalryman by heart.
Agreed, wurmers tactical decisions in the fight towards mantua are nothing short of heroic. However in terms of strategy wurmser made a number of serious blunders. First he devided his army like he did at previous attempt to relieve Mantua. Second operating on the false assumption that napoleon would not advance with a strong army in such numbers towards the north. Davidovich was left with to few men to defend against the full might of napoleons army. Third instead of retreating towards mantua wurmser should have marched east towards venice or triest. That way wurmser and his army could be free to be resuplied and reinforced. Fourth allowing himself to be trapped at mantua alongside the austrian garrison. All in all wurmser showed great bravery and skill but that doesn't take away that this second relief attempt was a catastrophe for the austrians.
indeed, although he'd hardly have a choice but to keep fighting. it is not like he can just resign.
@@TheSlazzer exactly but there lies the point. Once he made those blunders and the route to escape to the east was no longer viable or availeble he had no choice but to fight. Otherwise his army would have been either destroyed or forced to surrender. Wurmsers greatest feat was that he kept the core of his army intact when he was forced to retreat into the fortress of Mantua.
Most men were like this back then look at us now. Pretty sad
"That autumn... he will face his most skilled opponent yet, Feldzeugmeister József Alvinczi; the first man to beat Napoleon Bonaparte in battle!". What an epic prelude to the next episode 🙏🏻
For all the well deserved criticism that Austrians get in the Napoleonic war, only Austrian commanders could take the *sole* credit of having defeated Napoleon in battle.
@@Progamermove_2003 In his prime yes. Later he also lost to the brits, and prussians.
@@nope7120 You missed an important word: the "sole" credit. Commanders in Leipzig and Waterloo don't have the "sole" credit (even if the British tend to forget about the existence of Blucher when it comes to Waterloo). Fact is, only Austrian commanders defeated Napoleon on their own. In the other battles he lost Napoleon faced coalitions with multiple armies and commanders.
@@gontrandjojo9747 Battle of Krasnoi?
The ending gave me goosebumps. I am eager and worried about the next episode.
Cliffhangers of history. xD
Spoiler: He wins
Second battle of bassano is the loss their talking about.
One of KZhead's best series. Hands down. 🙏
The BEST You Tube channel
It is the best followed by kings and general
@@npierce14 And History Marche
@@troyjameson7174 yea I like history marche as well and armchair historian
Agreed daddy
This portion of the campaign is not as flashy as Castiglione, but honestly, it's more impressive for that. The concentration for the opening was excellent. It speaks to an excellent handle on the details of the movements required. Also, it is an excellent use of the shock of the attack and knowing when you have the enemy beat. The decision to rip up the unrealistic plan put down by the Directory was timely and correct. The 2 day march through the Brenta valley to Bassano is just a jaw-dropping feat. From there, it was truly an excellent pursuit of the Austrians. The fact that Napeolon was on the cusp of catching and destroying the Austrian army after marching that far through difficult country again does him and his army immense credit. It's only really because of factors outside of Napoleon's control that he doesn't bag the whole Austrian army. San Giorgio is an excellent tactical concept and was executed brilliantly as well. This right here is Napoleon at his best. I think it's also important to not gloss over the Austrians in all this, and honestly, I can't censure Wurmser too much for this operation. It has all of the hallmarks of an offensive that was launched not because it was advisable but because the powers that be said their needs to be one. The decision to continue onto Mantau was the best of a lot of terribly options that Wurmser was presented with. Well next we are going to see what happens when Napoleon is presented with someone who is, while probably not an equal to him, able to plan a very good offensive and now Napoleon is more overstretched and exhausted than he was before Castiglione.
With such pathetic military results.
@@RidleyScottOwnsFailedDictators for who?
@@seanmac1793 Stop lying to the children doing their homework, it is a form of child abuse. Stop lying to them that Napoleon was a "triumph", when Napoleon was trash fit for the streets of Paris today.
@@seanmac1793 ignore him he is just a troll
but we all know by the end with this third austrian officer it would not matter in the end anyway.
To see my small beautiful city of Mantova (in the past it was used the Latin name "Mantua") in one of your videos makes me so proud of our millennial history. I still live here and I have to say that, although lacking services and entertainment, I really love this little gem of a place that I am fortunate enough to call home.
It must be fascinating to live in a town with such rich history!
I imagine Napoleon thinking: "Run Wurmser, run Austrians, I'll chase you wherever you go." This is the Napoleonic speed that will cause a lot of damage among the Coalition armies in the coming years. It has been an exciting and frenetic video from start to finish. I love how the Austrians plan to make a move and Napoleon not only beats them to it but he already has the right action prepared for such an eventuality. In addition, we begin to notice his independence with respect to the Directory that will end up leading him to govern France. On the battlefield one must act quickly and decisively, so his decision to pursue the Austrians instead of going to Germany not only saves the French war effort, but avoids possibly being defeated by Archduke Charles. Ironically Napoleon saves the war for France in Italy and Charles for Austria in Germany. The old Wurmser did not expect such attack and speed from Bonaparte, but his performance of continuing to Mantua was totally correct. It's great to see his heroic, if ineffective, actions against Napoleon. Massena's defeat at Cerea can easily be explained by the despair of the Austrians, who preferred to fight rather than surrender and forced their way through. And Massena's surprise attack may be because he wanted revenge for the previous defeat. That is also worth mentioning. And finally, after this last victorious campaign based on speed of movement, Napoleon's chances to win are greatly reduced. From now on, with barely an army in condition, exhausted, with very few reinforcements and barely 20,000 soldiers, he must use all his cunning and military genius to get ahead in the coming months. Once again, thanks to Epic History TV and PMF Productions for this great visual and historical work on Napoleon Bonaparte. My greetings
Got to admired how Wurmser & his Austrian army fought courageously to hold the line against Napoleon in the latter stages of this battle at Mantau. He was almost similar Russia's Field Marshel Kutuzov, and was still highly regarded by many as one of Austria's best remaining field commanders. Even after his defeat against Napoleon, many people including Bonaparate himself respected the 72-year-old Austrian
Who cares about getting respect from a delusional thug of a military dictator like Napoleon.
Wurmser was definitely a good general, his judgements in the video would probably have been correct if it was a more standard general. His issue was that he was an expert of standard warfare, and napoleon was fighting in a completely different way.
@@resentfuldragon The French are delusional in their entitlement caused with phony monuments, because when the French see the Arc de Triomphe they truly believe that they "triumphed" with the likes of Napoleon, when in fact the French failed miserably with Napoleon, as Napoleon was nothing more than an incompetent dictator who hijacked their powerful military from a lost and confused France in a rotten revolution, and Napoleon led France to a road of total defeat. With such phony monuments and unethical story-telling of Napoleon's "greatness", the French think they are triumphant, but they are actually failures and underachievers who could have done more, but did not. And not they think they are entitled to work less than everyone else, I mean they are "triumphant", aren't they?
@@resentfuldragon This is exactly what happens when you lie to yourself for so long that in your own delusion you believe that you won when you lost, and now you think that you are entitled to things you have not earned because though you believe have "triumphed" with phony monuments, when in fact you have failed miserably. France let an incompetent goon hijack a dominant military and let him run that military right off a cliff in total defeat. France did not win the Napoleonic Wars, if you state otherwise and try to make it seem like a triumph for France, you are lying. As France has been lying to you, and to themselves. Entitlement, like retiring way earlier than everyone else, is what comes next.
@@resentfuldragon Napoleon's military results are not pathetic? Who do you think you are fooling?
Thank you for the detailed and quality work.
AHHHHH. So good. What is there to live for? Another epic history episode.
Could not agree more
Ok
This series is simply brilliant. I hope that other fronts of the Revolutionary Wars will be covered as well. At his age, Wurmser was a very good commander. It is shame that he got his staff and battle plans from Vienna's court and he had to follow them. Can't wait for the next episode.
I hope you enjoy the new video! This time Napoleon's chasing the Austrians through the Italian valleys, with help some future big names of the Empire - Murat, Lannes, Victor, et al. You can support the channel and get early access to new videos at www.patreon.com/EpicHistoryTV. Thanks to Curiosity Stream for sponsoring the video. Go to curiositystream.com/EPICCURIOSITY and use code EPICCURIOSITY to save 25% off today!
Thank you so much! I've been waiting for so long. I've watched the pervious two videos multiple times lol
LOVE FROM PAKISTAN 🇵🇰❤️
@Napoleon Bonaparte OMG It's really you. Sire!
Let's gooo 🎉🎉🎉
Keep these videos coming 👌
Thank you Epic History TV for being the best channel in all of KZhead!
They truly are!
PLEASE PLEASE make Napoleon in Egypt after this. I love this series, it’s all I look forward to. Goats
Yet another incredible video. Thank you again for this series Epic History. It is much appreciated!
Charles Nove's incredible voice really elevate these amazing videos to another level. Fantastic work guys!!!
This is my favorite video series on KZhead hands down! Well done!
I was waiting for this next episode. The first two in this series had me hooked like a good series of books that keep extending the story and one can't wait for the next one.
Love the series! If you can keep making these up until 1805, then the entire story of Napoleon would be complete by you guys! I would be forever thankful! Keep doing what you're doing!
The race of Wumrser’s army race to Mantua was genuinely frightening I can feel the anxiety from here
I'm really liking this story of Napoleon's earlier campaigns a lot. These video's keep getting more and more interesting. I hope it's not too long before we see the next in this series.
This is so good. The tension and thematic feeling you portray while being so factual and true to history in your videos is astonishing. Thank you for your work.
I’ve watched every Napoleon video literally dozens of times. I’m super excited for the day when I can watch the entire Napoleon saga including the Egyptian campaign, 18 Brumaire, Second Italian campaign, Marengo and some material on Napoleon as a ruler. Thanks Epic History!
These videos are so well researched and written. The narration and the graphics are superb and feel almost iconic after following this channel since the Waterloo video. Thank you for the hard work and continuing the series!
The content from Epic History TV just gets better, and BETTER. What a cliffhanger for this episode!!! This series in particular is my favorite yet. So well produced. Love everything you do.
I absolutely love this channel. Please continue to cover any and all things Napoleon related. Great work!
Your channel continues to put out easily some of the most engaging history content out there. The mix of animated maps, quotes, paintings, etc is incredible. Well done, and can’t wait for the next one.
The artwork and dramatic effect of the chase was amazing.
Your videos are one of the best. I learned more about Napoleon and his masterpiece than I did in school. So great, detailed and elaborate! Good job!
Napoleon had way more disasters than "masterpieces". Do not forget how powerful the French military that Napoleon seized was, and how many times it was the French military that won the battle for Napoleon, and not the other way around.
@@RidleyScottOwnsFailedDictators Napoleon for sure was given a powerful military but he also worked to make it stronger himself when he held power, Napoleon and his armies had disasters but he also managed to win many more victories when he was at a strategic and numerical disadventage, such victories can only be explained by his genius in battle and not by the superiority of his military
@@blitzhill9533 France won the War of Second Coalition in spite of Napoleon, not because of him. But European history wants you to believe otherwise. Because a certain group can't stand that a delusional thug hijacked a powerful military from a lost and confused European nation and waged total war on Europe. Because that sort of thing could never happen in Europe, right?
@@RidleyScottOwnsFailedDictators bro is really hating on a dead dude and also one of the most accomplished generals and rulers to ever fight. He and the French people were fighting everyone. His enemy’s knew that if he were left unopposed for long enough all of France would have United and nothing would have been able to stop him. He had to be sent to a secluded island where they slowly killer him. Dude was him. Stop your hating ass
What a reveal and what a name, the ending was great. Your Napolean documentaries are always so amazing. Also huge shout out to Keith Rocco, wow his stuff is amazing.
Yes! Been watching Part 1 and 2 constantly!
Addicted to these videos, and love the high-quality production as always!
Please don't ever stop making Napoleon content
my fav series ! Thank you Epic History TV for the continuous uploads
This series is fantastic. I am eager to see more of it.
PMF has barely 8.000 subscriptions...! A fantastic channel... Thank you for letting us/me know... As usual, awesom work! Cheers!
Brilliant! I've really enjoy all three of these videos. Excellent work as always guys 😊👍
An excellent visual and narrative description of Austria's penultimate attempt to relieve the siege of Mantua. Andrew Roberts' otherwise brilliant bio of Napoleon falls short on details of many campaigns and battles so this artful production is yet another gem which clears up any ambiguities. Bravo and many thanks
Love this Napoleon documentary, keep up the good work!
Love this series ! Please keep them coming!
Great video as always. Can't wait for the next one
This is amazing please continue making Napoleon videos forever!!!
Such a great vid, can't wait for the next episode
Epic History - you really should be so proud. Your videos are breath-taking and so interesting. You narrator is absolutely perfect for telling these stories. Really well done and thank you so much for making these videos!
I have been waiting for this video for so long I am sure it will be amazing as always 👍
What an evening to enjoy! Thanks EpicHistory!
Excellent content once again! Charles Nove's voice must be immortalized for all time. Such an epic, dramatic and unique tone. Literally the heart of Epic History TV. No offence to the massive effort of everyone behind the scenes. Thank you.
Such a wonderful documentary. Production value through the roof 🙌
18:20 only a man who has a name that epic is allowed to hand napoleon his first defeat
Fantastic video as always! You're creating easily the best quality documentaries on KZhead! Would love to see you cover The Thirty Years War or The Deluge at some point!
This is the coolest series yall have done. Napoleon's come up is as interesting as his time in power. If not more because he's working with less and is even more hands on than he was as head of state.
A video of this channel would bring meaning to life again 💛
Now I'm genuinely hyped about next part.
I love how you tell these epic stories. Also, the background music is simply captivating. Amazing ❤❤❤
Thank you for the great work !
Fantastic Video, can't wait for the next one
Great video, it's always a pleasure to compose for such project. 😉
I can't express how good of a video this is.
Can't wait for the next one! Well done!
OMG! This is so amazing. I've been waiting this a long time
NEXT EPISODE PLEASE, THESE ARE THE BEST VIDEOS ON YOUR SITE
What an amazing interesting series, I will always be excited for when another episode arrives!
I think time slows down in between episodes. Amazing work!
YES YES YES!
Excellent work! It is exciting to watch it from beginning to end, the narration is the best! Thank you thank you thank you! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Beautiful Video Epic History TV!
Awesome as usual
Ahhh, perfect evening!
Awesome as always
please create the continuation of this. can’t wait to see how napoleons italy campaign continues!
I love this series so much! And as a lot of the comments say, you get ever more awestruck when learning in detail the continuous string of astonishing feats of Napoleon's command . This really feels like Epic History, each part feels like a chapter of some epic fiction series, by the end of each one I just can't stand to wait to see what happens next! Excellent script 👌
Thank you so much for the video epic history tv. Your series Napoleon in Italy has helped me with a school presentation on military leadership.
You mean military dictator. But wait until the French military is no longer overwhelming so you can see the incompetence in Napoleon.
@@RidleyScottOwnsFailedDictators what about his six days campaign or the defense of France
@@voichitadan4318 When you are the losers glorifying an incompetent military dictator with the most pathetic of military results in Napoleon.
outstanding as always
awesome vid as always, thank you ehtv
Definitely going to enjoy this
quite an exciting battle sequence. Well presented.
Need more of these.
God I love this series and channel you guys are easily the undisputed champ of military doc channels followed by kings and generals
Yes been waiting for this. The more napoleon videos the better lol and the longer is even better
Excellent! As usual! The best military history channel that exists! congratulations!
yay! for @PMF productions, huge fan.
I love when you tease the next chapter of our voyage in the past.
The narrator is soooooo gooooddd, you've got a new subscriber, hope you pump more content
The best part of my week is when these videos are released!
Amazing content as always.
I’ve been waiting all month for this upload
Good Job Epic History Tv , AMAZING VIDEO AS ALWAYS
Man i like this way of documentary. I was always in to books but this brings a whole new way of how tactics come to live . Keep them coming!!!
Man these videos are so awesome!
What a terrific series!
Not to take away from Napoleon’s achievement on this campaign, it does seem that history has been unfair to the Austrians during this period. Like their French counterparts, I imagine they were seen as a secondary front to fight the enemy. While they fought hard and bravely in many cases, they were facing a military titan in Napoleon. Edit: Those animations are stunning by the way.
The whole Napoleon story is misleading, because Napoleon was no titan, just a delusional thug who hijacked a powerful military/arsenal from a lost and confused nation. As has happened in Europe multiple times, but even Hitler had better military results than Napoleon, because at least Hitler did not waste away an overwhelming military in total defeat, the way Napoleon did.
While its safe to assume that yes the main effort was sent to Germany (i mean Archduke Charles is there afterrall i doubt a relative of the emperor doesnt get the very best), i really doubt the Austrians would hold back as much as France in the defance of Italy, especially Mantua since if it falls Austrian influence over Italy is no more and Austria itself would be vulnerable, so while this is indeed a secondary front its not to the same extand as the French who really couldnt care less as the directory is based in Paris and the threat to the south is minimal for now
The Rhine campaigns of 1795-76 led by Count of Clerfayt and Archduke Charles are often forgotten, they should also their own videos in the future: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhine_campaign_of_1795 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhine_campaign_of_1796
@@erwannthietart3602 Please, France won the War of Second Coalition IN SPITE of Napoleon, not because of him. With the mega disaster in Egypt where France lost the best of its Navy, and the near disaster at Marengo where troops Napoleon did not even know were in the area came to save him, yes France certainly won the war in spite of Napoleon's bumbling. Just goes to show you how powerful the French military of the day was. That France could loses thousands and thousands of troops and materials due to Napoleon's incompetence and wasteful battles, and still be the best army in the world, by far. Yes, the French military was certainly a juggernaut of a military from 1792-1808, in spite of Napoleon. Only an incompetent, delusional fool could run that overwhelming military straight into the ground in total defeat, and guess what.....Because as the French military got weaker and weaker from 1809-1815, Napoleon looked less and less brilliant until the French military was in shambles. That is why this was nothing more than a story of delusional thug who hijacked a powerful military from a lost and confused nation, and ran it straight into the ground in total defeat.
@@TheAustrianAnimations87 Who are you trying to convince that Napoleon was nothing more than a delusional thug who hijacked a powerful military from a lost and confused European nation, that has never happened in Europe? Oh really?....Of course France was going to dominate with that powerful juggernaut military from 1792-1808, even with an incompetent fool like Napoleon at the helm. But the French dominance could only last for so long as the deranged lunatic at the helm avoids making mistake, after mistake, after mistake. But guess what.....enemy troops marching down the streets of Paris by 1814.
The best series on Napoleon that exists on KZhead. Thanks!
Love this series! When is the next episode coming please? 😊
hard to believe napoleon is live really his military victories are absolutely brilliant.
Really enjoying this Napoleon prequel series!
Incroyable travail ! Merci
Absolutely Stunning!
It's almost sad to not experience in a lifetime this level of tactical and strategic brilliance 😢
Can't wait for part 4!