Napoleon in Italy: Battle of Arcole (4/5)
Vložit
- čas přidán 25. 05. 2023
- Thanks to G2A for sponsoring this video - get great deals on games and other digital products using this link: www.g2a.com/n/epichistortytv
--------------------
In 1796, at the height of the Revolutionary Wars, Napoleon Bonaparte took command of French forces in northern Italy. He was just 26 years old and had never commanded an army before. Within weeks, he had turned his ragged, demoralised troops into a ferocious fighting force, defeating the Austrians and knocking Piedmont out of the war. With success, Napoleon began to believe it was his destiny to shape the fate of nations. In this series, we follow Napoleon's first glorious campaign step by step.
Thanks to PMF Productions for their help in creating this series, check out their channel here:
/ @pmf_productions
And thank you to Keith Rocco for permission to use his artwork in this video. Discover more of his historical paintings here: www.keithrocco.com/
Support Epic History TV on Patreon from $1 per video, and get perks like ad-free early access & votes on future topics / epichistorytv
👕 Buy posters, t-shirts, hoodies, mugs & stickers at our merch store:
www.ehtvmerch.com/
Visit our online bookshop to find great books on this and other topics:
UK site - uk.bookshop.org/shop/epichist...
US site - bookshop.org/shop/epichistorytv
As a bookshop.org affiliate we earn from qualifying purchases while donating 10% of sales to support independent bookshops!
🎶 Filmstro Music from: filmstro.com/?ref=7765
Get 20% off an annual license with this exclusive code: EPICHISTORYTV_ANN
#EpicHistoryTV #NapoleonicWars #Napoleon
I hope you enjoy the latest installment of our series on Napoleon's First Campaign - this one includes one of the most famous moments of the Napoleonic legend - the bridge at Arcole! Thanks to G2A for sponsoring this video - get great deals on games and other digital products here: www.g2a.com/n/epichistortytv Thank you all for watching and if you want to support future videos, go here: www.patreon.com/EpicHistoryTV
I sure am so far and this episode shall be Even better!😊😊😊
After finishing the Napoleon North Italy campaign make video on invasion of Egypt
Great job! - as usual...
Fantastic illustrations. You should sell a print book.
Vai ter parte 5
Hard to believe Napoleon was a real person, his life is an incredible story
The Ridley Scott movie is something to look forward to!
You couldn't write a fiction novel of Napoleon's story. Readers would accuse the author of making the main character too unrealistic lol!
"What a novel my life has been." - Napoleon
@@Nero-ox5tw is he really said that?
@@Glen.Danielsen Go cry about it to someone who cares.
This level of history production should quite literally be broadcasted on television, I look forward to another well put together video.
Sending it to TV would get a couple thousand views and is more of a death sentence. "I was witness to this extraordinary cowardice, and I cannot conceive it" - Sulkowski Polish Officer
Unfortunately TV has become an even bigger wasteland than ever before. Enstupidated masses probably don't even know who Napoleon was these days.
Television? CZcams is much better than that thing
Honestly, I would just take it on bluray or DVD
Yeah I wish I could get the original & Marshal series on Blu Ray or hell even DVD.
Arcole Bridge made Napoleon a legend. It also showed why Massena was an incredible general
I was pleasantly surprised by the Austrians fighting ability in this video. Alvinczi gave a pretty tough fight and napoleon narrowly avoided disaster multiple times.
Davidovich daaam you
It seems like the Hapsburgs were Napoleon's true arch nemesis throughout his career. All of Napoleon's defeats appear to come from his battles against them. Alvinczi, Archduke Charles, and Karl von Schwarzenberg
@@DarkFilmDirector I mean... Waterloo? :D
@@DarkFilmDirector I mean not counting the UK since they arent on the continent Austria was the nation that was more time at war with France being in all coalitions but one
@@evoluxman9935 Yes and was also defeated by Russia and Mamluks once but Napoleons biggest defeats at the prime of his career seem to be against Austria interestingly. History always remembers Waterloo but not the constant defiance of Austria throughout who didn't have a channel to protect them
The iconic portrait of him at the bridge at Arcole ❤
Turns out it's full of shit - who would have guessed?
For those unfamiliar with it, it is quite remarkable to know that, about a year prior to this, Napoléon wrote a romantic novella which included a scene quite amazingly similar (not identical of course) to the Bridge at Arcole. You have to wonder if it ever crossed his mind as his own page sprang to life before him.
Was it ever published?
you know how those 14 years old girls scream when they see their favourite kpop idol?
that's me right now.
😂
One of the best narrators I've ever heard in my life...
The Battle of the Arcole Bridge, Napoleon's defining moment in Italy. On and around this bridge, The Little Corporal risked everything, including his own life, to survive and succeed. This is where his men will see what his commander in chief is really made of and the morale of the army will rise decisively. This is where his legend and the absolute faith of the French army in Bonaparte will be fixed.
I am looking forward to this video and the moment to see it in all its splendor.
yeah but Napoleon's brave act on the bridge didn't actually inspire the french troops to recommit to the attack, as the video describes.
YES! More of this incredible series! You guys are the best!❤❤😊😊
"Then the commander of the army of Italy himself draws his sabre, picks up a standard and runs forward" That line just gives me goose bumps and in tune with the music too. Man, Napoleon was just a born leader! Throughout all his campaigns, he usually got involved and lead by example. True Leader
goosebumps until you imagen him doing it with a few officers who get shot an none of his men, who are hiding in a ditch. Still takes heart but kinda funny
He was desperate in a desperate situation.
Huge respect to wurmser holding the city
This is where Napoleon's luck nearly ran out and his life and ambitions cut very short. Can't wait!
WHY WOULD YOU SAY THIS
DELETE THIS
@@SinningsValor He lost in the field for the first time in this campaign it's a good reason for that and Napoleon needed a crushing victory not just a bunch minor victories because Wurmser would likely sally out of Mantua if few soldiers remained to guard it especially for a long time if the campaign drags on like Napoleon risked.
@@SinningsValor I dont think you can do something like a history spoiler
Certainly luck is an important criterion, but battles are rarely won by chance.
Easily the best history channel on CZcams. Hyped every time you guys upload.
Great pronounce of the names, great explanations and great video indeed ♥️
Greetings from Arcole 🇮🇹
Can you still find any traces of what happened there ? :)
@@romanslingervoet7916 we have an obelisk built by order of Napoleon himself…
There’s a small museum and a villa that still has the holes left by the shots on its walls.
And of course the bridge is still here :)
It’s not the exact same bridge.
@@walideg5304 it has been renovated multiple times since then, and recently they added a traffic light and some protections for pedestrians but it’s in the exact same spot since it still connects the road to Belfiore with the town square.
My favorite Napoleonic painting by Horace Vernet. I know it's romanticized but it depicts the early hallmarks of what made Napoleon one of the greatest military commanders in history; personal bravery, tactical brilliance, and electrifying charisma that inspires men to great feats of courage.
I just started reading War and Peace this morning, and it's wonderful to get some context for Prince Andrew's mention of Napoleon's conduct at Arcole during Anna Pávlovna's opening soiree. What wonderful timing!
It's a good book
It's been 3 months. Where are you now?
As an Italian from Mantua who has always watched and enjoyed your videos, it’s so thrilling and moving to see historical campaigns being narrated that take place not just in my country, but in the places I’m most familiar with in the world!
Stessa cosa per me da Venezia, è da mesi che via via che questi video escono li condivido con amici dal piemonte e dalla lombardia... ancora un po' e arriveranno pure nel mio territorio. La campagna d'Italia è molto più complessa di quel che credevo ma, pur sapendo già la conclusione, questi video sono una sorpresa continua.
Del resto è un'argomento trattato veramente poco a scuola, sembra quasi incredibile che sia successo tutto qui 230 anni fa.
That is so cool! Would love to visit one day!
This is where the fun begins.
Napoleon's Italian campaign is vastly ovelooked. Everybody knows about battles of Lodi and Arcole, but that's all. I as a fan of Napoleon didn't know most of this. Thank you for this series so I can learn much more about him ;)
That's an understatement. Most people only know Waterloo and maybe if you are lucky 2-3 other major battles (Leipzig, Trafalgar, Austerlitz) despite the Italian campaign may be as well as important.
I live in Arcole, on a street bearing the name of a french tambourine {Estienne}. Near m house there is the old barrack of the croatian troops. The bridge is still there, next to it a monument commemorating the victor, the only one surviving in europe. The football team of the town is called Napoleonica, where I played man years. Unfortunately he wold sold our territory to the Austrian later...
Lmao ! Whats the story of the tambourin ?
What made the Austrians any worse than the French?
thank you for you comment, very interesting to learn than the "souvenir" this battle is still very present in Arcole.
@@pierren___ don‘t know exactly but apparently he played the and made the austrian troops flee cause they thought they were coming from the back. At least this is what i‘ve been told
@@aarongodinez9022 it‘s not about better or worse. Many intellectuals hoped that with napoleon some changes and reforms would be made. Instead he attacked and conquered for no reason the republic of venice, 100 year old and quite loved by the people and then sold it to reactionary Austria. Many still despise him for this
You should do a video on Archduke Charles's 1796 campaign in Germany, which happened simultaneously with Napoleon's in Italy.
I would love to do a series on the wars of the 1st coalition on other fronts! :D
I love Antoine-Jean Gros's painting of Napoleon on the Arcole Bridge. Besides, he's an eyewitness of this event
Some Austrian victories in there is so good to see.
Focused on so many of Napoleons large victories and defeats, this more tatical stuff is amazing on both sides.
The joke is that it was not an Austrian but a Hungarian general who won that victory for the Austrians. (József Alvinczi)
@@clayerhun1597 not suprised! Lol
Napoleon must have though afterwards that without "those damned Croatians" he would have encircled Alvinczi makes you wonder why he took Croatia as part of France Empire some years after 😄@@clayerhun1597
This is such an intricate battle! Must have been a tough one to edit but you did it brilliantly as always
OK, this one honestly had me on the edge of my seat, totally engrossed with the back-and-forth, and thinking "How is Napoleon going to get out of this one" several times as the story twisted and turned. I knew the broad terms of this campaign, but not the particulars of this particular battle.
That battle was BANANAS....all the back and forth. Wow.
Bravery and cowardice are equally contagious.
Normally don't write comments, but this video was of such astonishing quality. The storytelling and video gave me chills. Even a little tear in admiration of Napoleon trying to motivate his troops on the bridge. Love you guys! Keep up the good work!
Still love to see an episode dedicated to Suvorov's campaign in Italy.
Also a full one on the life of Peter the Great
@@Marc_Masters that's not what I meant
I completely agree with you on an episode dedicated to Suvorov’s campaign in Italy but I would also like to see Marengo.
I wonder why Napoleon criticised Suorov so harshly. He was one of the better generals French were facing.
Suvorov strategically lost in Switzerland. He was too late to help Korsakoff.
@@matthewh.9544 Ok then
The only problem with this series is it leaves me wanting more! Cant wait for the next episode
Damn those battles were beyond exhausting. Constant atta ks, retreats, breaks, counterattacks and so forth ..
“Grenadiers! Come and seek your colour!”
this battle was fascinating, the battlefield was on such narrow ground that momentum completely drove the course of the battle it was such a seesaw affair and was such an incredibly crazy risk, Napoleon basically challenged Alvinczi to a knife fight in the back of a moving carriage
"Only the 51st Demi Brigade is across, though it gamely begins advancing on Arcole."
Insane. What a bunch of animals those guys were.
I’d be way too scared if the entire army wasnt there man
I've been reading Andrew Roberts's 900 page biography called "Napoleon: A Life" and these animated maps help so much in truly picturing all the moving pieces of the battles. Thank you so much!
Anyone else ignore wikipedia articles of Napoleon in Italy to not get spoiled? loool
The Rise of Napoleon is a story for the ages.
The only sad part is that we must wait for another video for some time. Outstanding!!!
As always I will point out that it is worth doing other campaigns of Revolutionary Wars. Flanders campaigns, earlier Italian campaigns, war in the Wandee, Swiss Expedition, Egypt Expedition, Naval battles, War of the Pyrenees, Rhine campaigns, Dutch campaign 1799, and ofc: best generals of the French army and coalition armies. Maybe even French Revolution itself in the detailed version.
Extraordinary!
The writing, animation and narration are all beyond incredible, as usual! Content such as this almost makes a history lover like me euphoric! Excellent work! 👍🏻👍🏻
The new musket sounds used for tactical map animations are sublime
In Arcole there's a obelisk, made to celebrate the Napoleon's victory.
This is one of the best video series
Finally the episode that I was waiting the most: the one about my little town of Arcole!
For anyone who's interested Napoleone, after winning the war against Austria, had an obelisc built in front of the bridge on the Alpone torrent that can still be admired to this day and it's the only one present in Italy.
My town has nothing else to offer, aside from a small museum dedicated to Napoleone, but it's very close to Soave and between the beautiful cities of Verona and Vicenza.
I already liked this video because your track record shows EVERYTHING you put out is EPIC. Always glad to see notifications from you!
Unlucky to be not born in napoleonic era and witness the action in person.
But lucky to have Epic History in this era who made his journey come to full life!!! ❤
This series hits different with the Napoleon movie out, which completely avoided the Italy Campaign.
I can’t wait for the next episode, the Napoleonic wars are one of my favorite historical topics
He imbued the likeness of Alexander the Great in his way of leading from the front, while also channeling the future daring of blitzkrieg like campaigns similar to Rommel's Ghost Division during the Battle of France in 1940 and Manstein's bold counterattack during the 3rd Battle of Kharkov and Belgorod in February-March 1943. He took on armies that vastly outnumbered him and cut them up piecemeal. He was a truly talented commander.
We want more! We CRAVE for this quality of historical documentaries! Thank you so much!
Snatching pyrrhic victory from the jaws of defeat
Been enjoying the huge map detail on Napoleon’s campaign in Italy I could only imagine and hope this series continues to his Egyptian campaign!
What a tension from start to finish, I felt like a Napoleon's soldier continually worried about what would happen next. It has been magnificent.
The Battle of Arcole showed Napoleon in one of his most critical military moments. Outnumbered, with a worn out and partially sick army and without reinforcements, he had to use the terrain and his own cunning to the maximum to not back down and hold his ground until he forced Alvinczi to withdraw, always under the threat that his line of retreat and communications was cut off and the siege of Mantua was broken by any Wurmser attack.
But Napoleon got away with luck, cunning (the false cavalry charge is genius), lack of coordination between the Austrian armies and courage of his own army, with his morale rising at the sight of the army's own commander-in-chief exposing himself to enemy fire and urging the soldiers to advance.
In summary, although Arcole was a chaotic battle, with continuous attacks and counter-attacks from both sides and not knowing who would win, Napoleon gave the French Army of Italy the morale boost it needed to press on and above all resist the superior Austrian armies in number and survive a few more months until he could change the strategic course of the war.
Finally, while Napoleon's attack on Arcole has been overstated, his image sacrificing everything for France was what the Directory and the French people needed to move forward, especially with the recent disasters in Germany at the hands of Archduke Charles. From now on, Napoleon will be the symbol of France and guide her to achieve greatness and glory.
Once again, thanks to Epic History TV and PFM Productions for this amazing work and series, looking forward to the next one and with the same epicity and tension characteristic of this great channel.
My greetings
That "ruse de guerre" strategy gave me goosebumps. Can't wait for the next video. Good Job Epic History TV. @22:50
If I remember correctly, at 11:51, this is what Napoleon did during the battle for Paris: he took a huge gamble by going behind the enemy lines and cutting their lines of communication and supply. Unfortunately, the gamble didn't pay off in the end as the coalition continued its advance on Paris.
11:00 Chills 🥶
Soundtrack, please
@@gustavdora1274 Major Incursion
@@napoleonbonaparte6625 thank you so much! Do you know soundtrack on 11:30?
Napoleon was amazing. He never gave up. His tenacity was amazing. Him and Alex the Great are the two Generals and kings who NEVER WAVERED. EXTREMELY BOLD.
And Caesar... how dare you forget
@@le_tiebreaker__9297and me
Are you joking Caesar army was impressive but certainly not his tactics and his over inflated ego falsifying his battles to be "heroic" when they were for sure not only numerically superior but also much more trained and close victories without obviously talking of the Gaulish tribes that were fighting with him @@le_tiebreaker__9297
The quality and drama of these superb films means that I’m not only excited for the conclusion of this series, but practically giddy for “Napoleon in Egypt”. It’s a pleasure to support this channel! Keep up the fire, Epic History TV!
everyone part of the epichistory team: editors, writers, researchers etc. including the outstanding narrator do an incredible job with these videos
Fantastic series, and can't wait for the rest!
Can someone please tell me what's the name of the music that's starts at 11:30?
That was absolutely thrilling. I cannot remember the last time I was so singularity focused on the screen.
Truly a stunning job.
It's worth waiting.
Thank you once again for this wonderful series! « Vive Bonaparte » and long live Epic History!
The reality of understanding that just because the enemy has the advantage...it doesn't mean he might not lose it if you force him to fight to attain his object.
Napoleon's efforts to slow down and fight Alvinci on his own terms are an interesting case study in refusal to accept defeat and a determination to make the enemy EARN a victory.
Look, the enemy formations are advancing unsupporting...attack them. Retreat after the enemy is reinforced. Look, the enemy is scouting with a vulnerable force...attack it. Retreat after the enemy is reinforced.
The enemy has now closed up with you and is concentrated. Excellent, seek out his supply lines and maneuver so as to force your enemy to disperse. When he is dispersed, attack again.
You can see in this set of battles that Napoleon has such high confidence in his men, that he is willing to take more risks than the Austrians and even his own men think possible.
It very nearly doesn't succeed...but the reality is that Napoleon understood that if he forced Alvinci to fight him in such a way...even if he lost, the Austrians would not make immediate pursuit a priority, due to the losses of the fight.
Gaining TIME is the object.
It's similar to how in chess if you have an objectively losing position, you can either defend passively and hope your opponent has a stroke, or create chaos and force your opponent to find the winning continuation. Napoleon opted for the latter in most campaigns, and given the general truism that no plan survives first contact with the enemy, it's actually a solid idea. Before Arcole, Alvinci had been following his preparation - Arcole got Alvinci out of prep and changed the campaign from a question of "who has the better military situation", in which regard Napoleon was absolutely inferior, to a question of "who is better at thinking on their feet", in which Napoleon was superior. The campaign was still a close-run thing, but in the bigger picture, Napoleon's strategy granted him the chance to swindle victory from the jaws of defeat, which is what ended up happening.
When the enemy is concentrated = separate
When he is separated = concentrate (attack)
This one little moment in Napoleons life highlights why Alexander was the greatest man of all time. Every single battle, every single siege, every single hardship that MF was in it.
What a video....its like you are there
When I first started studying about Napoleon this is one of the first battles I ever learned of where he put himself at the head of his troops and risked his life like an ordinary soldier thus earning the name "the little corporal" plus this helped him make him a legend like his heroes Alexander and Caesar.
This is the best channel because it shows messy war and does not mass-produce simple fairy tales of cool moments in battles
The best historical series of Napoleon, great work, keep it up.
The greatest documentary of Napoleon Bonaparte. Your channel is the best. History truly is a breathtaking topic.
Thank you Epic History TV! This may have been your best video yet. Napoleon really was a superior being
I thought no video would beat Castiglione, Alvinci and the bridge at Arcole stole the show! Amazing how Napoleon responded under immense pressure. Vive La Napoleon!
Not bad for some green austrian regiments.
This is still the best historical features I can find. Thank you all for releasing more great content!
Here here!
This was, again, better than watching a movie.
Especially a new movie, in which Napoleon would be a Black woman...
A wonderful channel that deserves all respect, appreciation and pride. Accurate and useful information in a sophisticated and beautiful manner. I wish you lasting success. I have the utmost respect and admiration for your great honor for these wonderful works. I hope you success
This is what the History Channel used to be back it he 90s. Incredible series! Proud to be a patron!
You are what the History Channel used to be. You guys are great!
Epic History, I have watched your channel for years. From Blackbeard, to WW1, to Alexander the Great, and now to the little emperor, I want to thank you for satisfying my crave for History. You are the best channel out there. Keep doing what your doing, it is remarkable work, and I love every second of it.
I enjoy this channel's series about Napoleon more than anything else. No other channels can compete. I was never interested in Napoleon until I started watching this channel
Epic history plz make contents about other than his military achievement you know
Napoleon was way more than just the greatest military leader in history
That's understatement of what this man achieved in his life time
It almost seems that Arcole was Alvinczi's Waterloo. He gave his best, was building pressure, but trouble with his companions followed by a surprise enemy reinforcement caused his defeat. A great commander. He isn't to blame for what happened in Arcole.
Massena's attack was hardly "surprise enemy reinforcement". He had been engaged in the battle from day one. The Prussians had to march to the Waterloo battlefield for two days, whereas Massena was already there. The Austrians just didn't realize that the consequences of their right flank collapsing meant the advance of their left flank would be exposed.
@@PueSaness You have a point dude. But so far I still think Alvinczi was the best commander Austria had to fight the french.
@@crossetler_2184I mean, Charles did defeat many French generals including Moreau who was considered a rival to Napoleon in terms of tactical mind and leadership. So Charles
@@NeverGoingToGiveYouUp000 In fact, absolutely agreed! But my bet on Alvinczi is Pre-First French Empire. It was absolutely UNFAIR what "Frankie" did to Charles after Wagram. I don't think Charles was a genious, but he demonstrated a carachteristic of desire for adaptation - something highly invaluable and that I deeply admire.
French people should be proud of having such a masterful figure like Napoleon in their history books.
French people have hundreds of masterful figures in its history.
@@walideg5304the only masterful figure was neopolean
@@chinavirus841
Jeanne d'Arc?
Charlemagne?
Charles Martel?
Louis XIV?
You cannot even write Napoléon correctly it's clear your knowledge of history and France history is as inexistant as your school record.@@chinavirus841
@@lapinmalin8626Yup great introductory list, I'd personally add Baldwin of Jerusalem, Philip Augustus, Bertrand de Guescelin, Cardinal Richelieu, And Maurice de Saxe.
I’ve literally been going to this channel every day for the past 2 months waiting for the upload thank you so much for finally delivering
Extraordinary content that is. I've read Napoleon Bonaparte' s biography, his achievements, the struggles, the obstacles he encountered and he had to go through and of course the victories.
It's funny that there's a delusional lady named wayward Renegade (not a long time ago) who claims to be an "occultist" and said on her channel that Napoleon did not exist, because there are no actual photos of him😂😂😂. Furthermore, Napoleon died in 1821, whereas the art of photography was invented in 1823.
I'd love a similar series of the simultaneous army of the Rhine campaign. Many famous figures fought there
You can see how this campaign could have informed Napoleon of the importance of choosing the correct site for a battle (Austerlitz). And to use rivers to his advantage (Friedland). Those dang causeways were so limited and they were the ultimate deciding factor in how the battle turned out. Could have easily gone the other way. I can imagine Napoleon would avoid fighting another battle with these constraints (unless they only applied to the enemy, of course).
Yes!!!! This has been an excellent series. Best Historical Channel anywhere!
The production value in these videos from voice and animation to research and writing is just truly phenomenal. Especially the maps so freaking dope.
This videos are outstanding on many levels!
Yours is the only channel on youtube where I instantly like every video! You guys are so consistently awesome and with such high quality it baffles me you guys didnt get a documentary deal from big tv/streaming service. Thanks for the epic stories you give us! From a massive fan in the Netherlands.
LETS GOOOOO
Epic history is the rolls Royce of history Channels
It is insane that videos like this are free. Insanely good series
Please continue this series/era for as long as you can!
You don't see many popular history channels any more.
Keep up the good work and Viva la france!
It simply doesn’t get any better than this. Epic History TV is the absolute best.
Your work is more and more breathtaking video after video. Keep making our hairs stand on end
Amazing work as usual! Thanks for all the effort you put into these!
Another great episode of an amazing series. Amazing job like always!