The Battle of Cassano took place on 16 August 1705, during the War of the Spanish Succession, near Cassano d´Adda, in Lombardy, Italy. It was fought between a French army of 22,000 commanded by the duc de Vendôme and an Imperial force of 24,000 under Prince Eugene of Savoy.
In October 1703, Victor Amadeus II repudiated his treaty with France and joined the Grand Alliance. By August 1705, the French had occupied most of the Savoyard state, with the exception of its capital Turin. With Savoy on the brink of defeat, Imperial general Prince Eugene tried to relieve the pressure on Turin by crossing the River Adda at Cassano, and threaten Milan. Although taken by surprise, the French managed to hold the bridge after several hours of combat, both sides suffering heavy casualties.
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