Gizella Nemeth, Adriano Papo

Le imprese del generale Jean-Louis Rabutin de Bussy lungo il Danubio, 1697

Introduction

Le imprese del generale jean-louis rabutin de bussy lungo il danubio, 1697. Imprese militari del generale Rabutin de Bussy sul Danubio, 1697. Assalti ai forti ottomani di Új-Palánka e Páncsova: una cruciale campagna diversiva.

Abstract

Once the battle of Zenta (Senta, now in Serbia) was concluded (September 11th, 1697), where the Ottomans made up for a disastrous defeat from the imperial army of Eugene of Savoy, because of the impossibility of conquering Temesvár, also due to the now advanced autumn season, it was undertaken by the prince of Savoy a raid in the heart of Bosnia, which brought his army up to the rich merchant city of Sarajevo. Parallel to the Bosnian expedition, a diversion of the troops of cavalry general Jean-Louis Rabutin de Bussy took place against the Danube fortresses of Új-Palánka (Palanka) and Páncsova (Pančevo); the goal was to facilitate the raid in Bosnia, diverting the attention of the Ottomans from that front. The expedition began on 26 October 1697 starting from Déva, on the border between Transylvania and Banat; 3,000 horsemen, a body of the Rascian militia, six field artillery pieces and a mortar were part of it. The assault on Új-Palánka was scheduled for dawn on November 6th, 1697; momentarily suspended due to the arrival of some Turkish ships, from which a hundred men landed on the mainland as reinforcements for the garrison of the Turkish fort, it was resumed with continuous fire, vigorously opposed by the Turkish garrison. At this point the assault on the fort was carried out from another direction with the use of the reserve and took the besieged by surprise: the imperials opened a gap in the palisade with axes and entered the fort vehemently. Only a few Turks managed to save themselves, a lot of them was killed, or thrown into the Danube or taken prisoner. The news of the fall of Új-Palánka preceded the arrival of the imperials in Páncsova, which is why the Turkish garrison, frightened, burned everything and fled, leaving the artillery in place.

Review

This abstract presents a compelling and detailed account of a specific, yet crucial, military operation during the War of the Holy League. The paper effectively situates General Jean-Louis Rabutin de Bussy's Danube campaign within the immediate aftermath of the pivotal Battle of Zenta (1697) and Prince Eugene of Savoy's concurrent, and highly publicized, raid into Bosnia. By focusing on a "diversionary" action, the research promises to shed light on often-overlooked tactical maneuvers that were nonetheless vital to broader strategic objectives. The clear identification of the mission's goal – to draw Ottoman attention away from Bosnia – immediately establishes the significance of Rabutin's enterprise and suggests a valuable contribution to the understanding of late 17th-century military strategy. The abstract excels in its narrative clarity and the wealth of specific details provided. From the precise start date (October 26th, 1697) and origin point (Déva) of Rabutin's 3,000 horsemen, Rascian militia, and artillery, to the dramatic events surrounding the assault on Új-Palánka, the reader is drawn into the immediacy of the historical moment. The description of the assault itself is particularly vivid, detailing the temporary suspension due to Ottoman reinforcements, the vigorous exchange of fire, and the decisive, surprise attack from an unexpected direction using reserves. The brutal outcome for the Ottoman garrison – with many killed, captured, or thrown into the Danube – underscores the ferocity of the engagement. The subsequent, swift capture of Páncsova, deserted by a terrified garrison, provides a neat and impactful conclusion to Rabutin's successful diversionary maneuver. Ultimately, this paper promises to be a significant addition to the historiography of the Great Turkish War. By meticulously reconstructing Rabutin's Danube expedition, it not only highlights the importance of individual commanders and specific tactical engagements but also enriches our understanding of the complex interrelationship between different fronts and operations in a multi-pronged conflict. The level of detail suggests a deep engagement with primary sources, which would allow the full paper to provide valuable insights into logistics, command structures, and the lived experience of warfare during this critical period. This research offers a focused yet impactful examination of a less-known but strategically important facet of the Hapsburg-Ottoman confrontation.

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