Siege of Turin

Siege of Turin
Part of the War of the Spanish Succession
The Allied relief force breaks the French lines, lifting the siege of Turin
Date 2 June – 7 September 1706 Location Turin, Italy Result Grand Alliance victory
Belligerents
Savoy  Habsburg monarchy  Prussia	France  Spain
Commanders and leaders
Victor Amadeus Prince Eugene Philipp von Daun Prince Leopold Duke of Saxe-Gotha Prince of Württemberg	Duke of Orleans Louis de la Feuillade Marshal Marsin †
Strength
Garrison; 15,000 Relief force; 30,000	60,000 total [1]
Casualties and losses
Siege; 4,600 total (including disease)[1] Relief operation; 3,500–4,800 killed and wounded [2]	Siege; 10,000 total (including disease)[3] Relief operation; 7,000[4]– 9,000[2]

The siege of Turin took place from June to September 1706, during the War of the Spanish Succession. A French army led by Louis de la Feuillade besieged the Savoyard capital of Turin, whose relief by Prince Eugene of Savoy has been called the most brilliant campaign of the war in Italy.^[5] The siege is also famous for the death of Piedmontese hero Pietro Micca.

By 1706, France occupied most of the Duchy of Savoy, leaving only its capital Turin in the possession of its ruler, Victor Amadeus. On 19 April, Louis Joseph, Duke of Vendôme, consolidated the French position in Lombardy by victory at Calcinato. Shortly afterwards, Prince Eugene resumed command of Imperial troops in Northern Italy, while Vendôme was recalled to France in July, and replaced by the Duke of Orleans.

De la Feuillade began siege operations on 2 June but made little progress, while Prince Eugene out manoeuvred the French field army under Orleans, and joined forces with 7,000 cavalry led by Victor Amadeus. Despite being outnumbered overall, the Allies were able to concentrate their forces; on 7 September, they attacked the French south of Turin, and after fierce fighting, broke through their lines.

The French were forced to withdraw from Northern Italy, allowing Victor Amadeus to recover most of Piedmont, although his possessions north of the Alps were occupied by France until 1713. In March 1707, France, Savoy and Emperor Joseph signed the Convention of Milan, ending the war in Italy.