Gizella Nemeth, Adriano Papo

La spedizione in Bosnia del principe Eugenio di Savoia, 1697

Introduction

La spedizione in bosnia del principe eugenio di savoia, 1697. Scopri la spedizione in Bosnia del Principe Eugenio di Savoia nel 1697. Dopo Zenta, Eugene guidò un raid nel cuore della Bosnia, bruciando Sarajevo. Un'analisi storica dettagliata.

Abstract

After the conclusion of the victorious Zenta campaign, Prince Eugene of Savoy, unable to conquer Temesvár, organized a raid in the heart of Bosnia, even as far as the capital Sarajevo, a rich merchant city. The Bosnian expedition is described on the basis of various narrative and documentary sources. Prince Eugene personally led his expeditionary force with 4,000 of his best cavalry, 2,000-2,500 elite foot soldiers, 12 field guns, two mortars. He was accompanied by some of his best senior officers such as Count Guido von Starhemberg and Prince Charles of Lorraine-Commercy; he had entrusted the command of the vanguard to Colonel Kyba, who knew the area well, having served for a long time in the border militias. To distract the attention of the Turks from Bosnia, Eugene had commissioned the cavalry general Jean-Louis Rabutin de Bussy to make frequent diversions in the direction of Temesvár and along the Danube. The expedition lasted from 6 October 1697, when the prince left Eszék (Osijek), until 8 November, the day of his return to his starting point. During the expedition the prince traveled the country more or less along the Bosna River, crossing plains, narrow gorges, high and steep mountains, took a few castles, some of which put up resistance, and finally burned down the city of Sarajevo, the main square of the country, because the Turks had not respected the customs of war at the time: they had killed a messenger of the prince and seriously wounded another, who had gone to them to order surrender. The Christian people residing there welcomed the imperials lovingly, supplying them with food, and many of them joined Eugene’s troops following him back home. The intense cold and the early snow made the return journey particularly difficult.

Review

This article provides a compelling and detailed account of Prince Eugene of Savoy's 1697 expedition into Bosnia, an intriguing episode following his decisive victory at Zenta and the failed siege of Temesvár. The abstract promises a thorough reconstruction of this audacious raid, focusing on the strategic and tactical nuances of an operation that reached as far as Sarajevo. By contextualizing the expedition within the broader Great Turkish War, the article sets the stage for understanding the motivations and objectives behind this punitive and reconnaissance mission. The specified duration, route, and key players immediately convey the article's commitment to a precise chronological and geographical narrative. A significant strength of the research, as indicated by the abstract, lies in its reliance on "various narrative and documentary sources," suggesting a robust foundation for its historical claims. The level of detail provided is impressive, outlining the composition of Eugene's elite force (cavalry, foot soldiers, artillery), identifying key senior officers, and even noting the crucial role of Colonel Kyba, who possessed local knowledge. The abstract also highlights the strategic brilliance employed, such as the diversionary tactics commissioned to General Rabutin de Bussy, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the military planning involved. The vivid descriptions of the campaign's progress, including encounters with resistance, the burning of Sarajevo (with a specific justification provided), and the welcoming reception from the local Christian population, underscore the article's potential to offer a rich, multi-faceted perspective on the expedition. While the abstract clearly outlines the expedition's events and the immediate reasons for Eugene's actions, particularly regarding Sarajevo, the full article would likely delve deeper into the long-term strategic impact of this raid. Questions arise regarding the political and military consequences of burning the Bosnian capital, the nature and extent of the "customs of war" breached by the Turks, and the broader implications of the Christian populace joining Eugene's returning forces. The article appears to contribute significantly to understanding a lesser-known, yet pivotal, moment in Prince Eugene's military career, offering insights into early modern warfare, logistics in challenging terrains, and the complex ethno-religious dynamics of the Ottoman frontier during the late 17th century.

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