Battle of Rapallo

The Battle of Rapallo, was fought between Swiss mercenaries on French pay and their Genoese-Milanese allies led by Louis d'Orleans against Neapolitan forces led by Giulio Orsini on 5 September 1494 near Rapallo.[2]

Battle of Rapallo
Part of the First Italian War
Date5 September 1494
Location
Rapallo, Republic of Genoa
Result French victory[1]
Belligerents
 France
 Milan
 Genoa		 Kingdom of Naples
Commanders and leaders
Louis d'Orleans Giulio Orsini (POW)
Strength
3,000 Swiss mercenaries
Genoese-Milanese infantry		 4,000 Neapolitan
Casualties and losses
Giulio Orsini(Captured)
Fregosino Campofregoso(Captured)

Rapallo was occupied by 4,000 Neapolitan troops on 3 September 1494 with Giulio Orsini, Obietto Fieschi, and Fregosino Campofregoso in command, their plan being to force a rebellion in Genoa. Later the Neapolitan fleet was forced away by bad weather.[2] On 5 September,[3] Louis d'Orleans landed with 1,000 Swiss mercenary infantry which was later reinforced overland by 2,000 more Swiss mercenaries and a contingent of Genoese-Milanese infantry.[2]

A skirmish broke out between the Swiss mercenaries and Neapolitan forces, though the terrain did not allow for the Swiss to form up their pike squares.[2] However, the battle was mainly fought between the Genoese-Milanese and Neapolitan infantry.[2] Following concentrated artillery fire from the French fleet, the Neapolitans were routed.[2] The Swiss massacred Neapolitans trying to surrender,[3] although Orsini and Campofregoso were captured in the retreat.[2]

After the battle the Swiss mercenaries killed the enemy wounded and sacked the town of Rapallo.[2] Though a small battle, it was seen as a significant victory which halted Neapolitan attempts to incite a rebellion in Genoa against the French.[2]

References
  1. Leathes 1903, p. 112.
  2. Mallett & Shaw 2012, p. 19.
  3. Nicolle 2004, p. 89.

Sources
  • Leathes, Stanley (1903). "Italy and Her Invaders". In Acton, Baron John Emerich Edward Dalberg (ed.). The Cambridge Modern History. Vol.1. The Macmillan Company.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Mallett, Michael; Shaw, Christine (2012). The Italian Wars. Pearson Educational Limited.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Nicolle, David (2004). Fornovo 1495: France's Bloody Fighting Retreat. Osprey.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)

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