Bonaparte's siege artillery was tied up at the siege of Milan so initially Mantua was blockaded by a force of 9,200 under Serurier. Milan citadel capitulated on the 29th June which allowed siege artillery to be in place and active around Mantua by the 19th July. Würmser's advance forced Bonaparte to concentrate against him and therefore to raise the siege. Immediately the Austrians levelled all French siege works, captured and removed French guns and restocked the city.

A fortress town on the river Mincio in northwestern Italy.

Bonaparte's initial strategic planning called for the river Adige to be held as a defensive line against any possible Austrian counter offensive. As part of this plan he had to subdue the major cities/fortresses which would lie in his rear. Milan and Mantua were both key positions.

French Forces

Number engaged :

36,000

Casualties :

2,200 (6.11%)

Coalition Forces [ Austrian Garrison]

Number engaged :

13,753

Casualties :

639 (4.65%)