Editing Battle of Pozzolo (section)

== Battle ==
Dupont's corps crossed the river near Pozzolo on Christmas Day 1800 under heavy Austrian artillery fire.<ref name=enc/><ref name=cust60>{{Cite book |last1=Cust |first1=Edward |title=Annals of the wars of the 19th century, compiled from the most authentic histories of the period: I |date=1862 |publisher=Murray |page=60 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=09sGAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA60 |language=en}}</ref> This force made a [[feint]] on Pozzolo whilst a temporary bridge was constructed at nearby Molino della Bolta.<ref name=enc/><ref name=cust60/> Dupont moved two divisions and a battery of 25 artillery pieces across the new bridge and constructed defences.<ref name=cust60/>

Following reinforcement from Suchet, the French defeated an Austrian midday counterattack and successfully took the village of Pozzolo.<ref name=enc/> A second Austrian attack launched at 1:00 pm and was formed of Hungarian troops led by [[Konrad Valentin von Kaim]]. They retook the village and forced the French back to their bridgehead.<ref name=enc/><ref name=cust60/> Heavy French artillery fire prevented further progress and a renewed French assault recaptured the village, taking five guns and 700-800 prisoners.<ref name=enc/><ref name=cust60/>

Suchet then constructed a second bridge which allowed a whole French division to cross the river unopposed. The village of Pozzolo was bitterly fought over, changing hands a further three times before a final French assault secured it just before dusk.<ref name=enc/> It was during this fighting that General Kaim was mortally wounded.<ref name=cust60/> During the night, the Austrians took advantage of a clear moonlit night to attack the French bivouacs.<ref name=cust60/>

From 5:00 am on 26 December French troops constructed another bridge at [[Monzambano]], under the cover of dense fog and supporting fire from 40 guns. They then launched an assault upon the [[Monte Bianco]] hills, which were held by around 35,000 Austrians.<ref name=cust60/><ref name=enc/> The Austrians were driven back to [[Valeggio sul Mincio|Salionze]] and a French force under Delmas captured [[Valeggio sul Mincio]]. Later in the day an Austrian counterattack briefly retook the village before Delmas finally secured it. The French reinforced their positions during the afternoon and defeated an Austrian counterattack in the hills.<ref name=enc/>  

Austrian losses in the battle were around 7,000 men and 40 guns.<ref name=alison455/> A second source asserted that the French sustained 4,000 casualties, including [[General of Brigade]] André Calvin killed. The Austrians suffered losses of 807 killed, 4,067 wounded, 3,984 captured, and 313 missing, or a total of 9,171. General officer losses were Kaim killed and [[Charles Alain Gabriel de Rohan]] wounded. The French captured 14 3-pounder, six 6-pounder, and three 12-pounder cannons, and six 7-pounder [[howitzer]]s.<ref name=smith/>