Siege of Genoa (1747)

Summary

The siege of Genoa took place in 1747 when an Austrian army under the command of Count Schulenburg-Oeynhausen launched a failed attempt to capture the capital of the Republic of Genoa.

Siege of Genoa
Part of War of the Austrian Succession
Date1747
Location44°24′25.88″N 8°56′2.33″E / 44.4071889°N 8.9339806°E / 44.4071889; 8.9339806
Result Franco-Spanish-Genoese victory
Belligerents
 Habsburg Monarchy
 Kingdom of Sardinia
 Republic of Genoa
 Kingdom of France
Spain Kingdom of Spain
Commanders and leaders
Habsburg monarchy Count Schulenburg
Kingdom of Sardinia General Pallavicini
Garrison
Kingdom of France Joseph Marie, Duke of Boufflers [Wikidata]
Relief Force
Kingdom of France Marshal Belle-Isle
Spain General Las Minas
Siege of Genoa (1747) is located in Liguria
Siege of Genoa (1747)
class=notpageimage|
Location within Liguria
Siege of Genoa (1747) is located in Italy
Siege of Genoa (1747)
Siege of Genoa (1747) (Italy)

The Austrians had captured and then lost Genoa the previous year and made it the central objective of their strategy for 1747 before they would consider further operations against Naples or an invasion of France. Schulenburg's force reached the outskirts of the city in April, but realising they needed more troops they waited until twelve battalions of infantry from their Sardinian allies arrived in June. The delay allowed the French and Spanish to send reinforcements to the city under Joseph Marie, Duke of Boufflers [Wikidata] to bolster the garrison.

The approach of a Franco-Spanish force under Marshal Belle-Isle and General Las Minas pressured the Sardinians to withdraw to try to defend a possible threat to Milan, and Schulenberg then abandoned the siege blaming the Sardinians. The failed siege led to recriminations between Vienna and Turin with both complaining to their British allies in London about the alleged betrayal of the other.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ Lodge p.262-64

Bibliography edit

  • Lodge, Sir Richard. Studies in Eighteenth Century Diplomacy 1740-1748. John Murray, 1930.