Combat of Vaprio d'Adda, 27 April 1799

The key engagement on 27 April was the combat at Vaprio d'Adda, north of Cassano, where roughly 11,000 Austrians and Cossacks faced 7,000 French. The combats near Trezzo sull'Adda and Vaprio d'Adda, where mostly Austrians were concentrated, proved decisive for the allied victory. The outcome was not inevitable: had Sérurier's 3,000 and Victor's 6,000 (2,000 of whom could be left in Cassano d'Adda) arrived in time, 16,000 French led by the skilful Moreau would have faced 11,000 enemies. Melas' vigorous frontal attack at Cassano probably aimed to support the allied success at Vaprio, to move into Grenier's rear after capturing Cassano, or to divert French troops from that battlefield.