Solferino 1859: The Battle for Italy's Freedom (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781846033858)

Osprey's Campaign title for the battle of Solferino (1859), which was the decisive action of the Franco-Austrian War. Fought near Lake Garda in northern Italy, it was the largest European battle since Leipzig in 1813 with over a quarter of a million combatants. In the presence of three crowned heads of state - Napoleon III of France, Emperor Franz-Joseph of Austria and Victor Emmanuel II of Piedmont-Sardinia (later the King of all Italy) - the armies clashed in a bitterly fought contest that would leave more than 40,000 dead and give the battle a reputation for savagery that would inspire not only the formation of the Red Cross, but also the first Geneva Convention. As a crucial climax to the Second Italian War of Independence, this title covers the build-up to the battle, including actions at Montebello, Palestro and Magenta that led to the decisive moment of the campaign. Full-color battlescene artwork and detailed maps illustrate this comprehensive account of the commanders, armies, plans and aftermath of one of the bloodiest battles of the period.

Author: Richard Brooks
ISBN-10: 1846033853
ISBN-13: 9781846033858
Publisher: Osprey Publishing (UK)
Language: English
Published: 04/21/2009
Pages: 96
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.65lbs
Size: 9.50h x 7.20w x 0.40d