Wars in Lombardy - First Campaign (1423-1426)(1426)
14 May 1423 - 30 December 1426
Republic of Venice and Allies (League of Florence)
Commander: Condottiero Carmagnola (Francesco Bussone da Carmagnola), for Florence: Pandolfo Malatesta, Carlo Malatesta, Niccolò Piccinino, Oddo da Montone
Initial Combat Strength
%58
ⓘ Analysis Parameter: Raw combat force projection only. Does not reflect the mathematical average of operational quality scores.
Decisive Force Multiplier: The Venetian fleet and the professional condottieri army under Carmagnola, effectively using artillery during the siege of Brescia, provided a technical advantage; the alliance with Florence also increased resources.
Duchy of Milan and Allies (Visconti Faction)
Commander: Duke Filippo Maria Visconti, Condottieri Agnolo della Pergola, Guido Torello, Francesco Sforza (later)
Initial Combat Strength
%72
ⓘ Analysis Parameter: Raw combat force projection only. Does not reflect the mathematical average of operational quality scores.
Decisive Force Multiplier: Visconti's diplomacy initially superior, and the condottieri network provided flexibility, but the unreliability of condottieri and defection of enemy commanders proved disadvantageous.
Final Force Projection
Post-battle strength after attrition and strategic wear
Operational Capacity Matrix
5 Military Metrics — Staff Scoring System
Milan, with rich agricultural lands and urban economies, could finance prolonged war, while Venice drew on trade and financial capacity for logistical endurance. Though Milan initially more advantageous, Venetian sea supply lines and Florentine financial support equalized sustainability.
Visconti's personal diplomacy and political maneuvering were initially effective, but condottieri disloyalty created command vulnerabilities. On the Venetian side, appointment of Carmagnola strengthened command, but the multi-headed alliance structure slowed decision-making.
The Venetian-Florentine alliance pressured Milan on two fronts simultaneously with good timing. Effective use of artillery during the Brescia siege provided advantage in positional warfare. Milan failed to adequately exploit interior lines.
Visconti's diplomacy and intelligence network, using opposition groups in rival cities, provided superiority; the coup in Forlì is an example. However, Venice closed the intelligence gap through Carmagnola's inside knowledge of Milan's weaknesses.
The Venetian fleet and artillery technology, especially the river flotilla and bombardment at Brescia, were decisive force multipliers. Milan attempted to gain morale advantage by inducing enemy commanders to defect, but this proved unreliable in the long term.
Strategic Gains & Victory Analysis
Long-term strategic gains assessment after battle
Victor's Strategic Gains
- ›Venice expanded its mainland territory to the Adda River by capturing Brescia, halting Milanese expansion.
- ›The Venetian-Florentine alliance successfully broke Visconti hegemony in Northern Italy, laying the foundation for future balance-of-power politics.
Defeated Party's Losses
- ›Milan lost gains in Romagna and Tuscany, and was forced to cede strategic Brescia to Venice.
- ›Visconti's prestige was damaged and trust among allies eroded, leading to isolation in subsequent campaigns.
Tactical Inventory & War Weapons
Critical weapons systems and combat vehicles engaged in battle
Republic of Venice and Allies (League of Florence)
- Condottieri Army
- Venetian Fleet (Po River Flotilla)
- Bombardment Cannons
- Heavy Cavalry Units
Duchy of Milan and Allies (Visconti Faction)
- Condottieri Army
- Heavy Cavalry
- Fortress Artillery
- Defensive Fortifications
Losses & Casualty Report
Confirmed and estimated casualties sustained by both parties as a result of battle
Republic of Venice and Allies (League of Florence)
- 1500+ PersonnelEstimated
- 3x Condottiero Commanders (Captured/Killed)Confirmed
- 2x Siege EnginesClaimed
- 1x Supply DepotIntelligence Report
Duchy of Milan and Allies (Visconti Faction)
- 2000+ PersonnelEstimated
- Brescia Garrison (Complete)Confirmed
- 4x Defensive TowersConfirmed
- 2x Condottiero Commanders (Defected)Intelligence Report
Asian Art of War
Victory Without Fighting · Intelligence Asymmetry · Heaven and Earth
Victory Without Fighting
Venice attempted to diplomatically isolate Milan before the war; convincing the Pope to take Forlì and Imola from Visconti. Carmagnola's defection was a significant pre-battle gain. Visconti initially gained cunningly through the Forlì succession but failed to build a broad alliance.
Intelligence Asymmetry
Visconti initially knew his rivals' internal affairs well, provoking the Forlì rebellion for advantage. However, Venice, through Carmagnola, obtained accurate information on Milan's military capacity and understood Brescia's vulnerability.
Heaven and Earth
Northern Italy's rivers and canals provided logistical and tactical advantage to the Venetian fleet, while mountainous regions limited cavalry maneuvers. Winter restricted campaigning, but Venice could supply via the Po River. Terrain generally favored the defender.
Western War Doctrines
Attrition War
Maneuver & Interior Lines
Milan potentially had the advantage of interior lines to shift troops between Tuscany and Romagna but failed to exploit it. Venice used its navy for rapid troop movement along the Po Valley, advancing to Padua. Carmagnola's swift siege of Brescia provided maneuver superiority.
Psychological Warfare & Morale
The defection of renowned condottiero Carmagnola to Venice caused demoralization on the Milanese front. Conversely, continuous defections in Visconti's army created mistrust. On the Venetian side, the alliance with Florence and papal neutrality provided moral superiority.
Firepower & Shock Effect
Venice's intense artillery use during the Brescia siege created shock effect by breaking resistance, demonstrating walls could be overcome and providing psychological advantage. Milan's heavy cavalry tradition was strong but ineffective against firepower.
Adaptive Staff Rationalism
Center of Gravity · Intelligence · Dynamism
Center of Gravity
Milan's center of gravity was Visconti's personal leadership and the condottieri army, but these were weak due to disloyalty. The Venetian-Florentine alliance identified the capture of Brescia as their center of gravity and focused resources there, achieving operational success.
Deception & Intelligence
Visconti used internal strife in Forlì and threatened Florence with civil war, but failed to foresee the Venetian alliance. Carmagnola's defection was the greatest deception for Venice, gaining Milan's defense plans. The papal-mediated peace legitimized Venetian gains.
Asymmetric Flexibility
Throughout the war, both sides avoided static pitched battles, using flexible siege and counter-siege tactics. The Venetian fleet's mobility on rivers and coordination with land forces demonstrated innovative asymmetric flexibility for the period. Milan attempted to quickly find new allies using diplomatic tools.
Section I
Staff Analysis
The campaign originated from a regional succession crisis and quickly became a great-power struggle. Initially, Milan gained advantage in Romagna through Visconti's cunning diplomacy and rapid condottieri actions. Inexperienced Florentine responses and defection of commanders strengthened Milan. However, the Venetian-Florentine alliance shifted the balance. Venice's financial and naval power supported Florentine armies. The defection of Carmagnola and capture of Brescia using modern artillery decided the war. Milan could not withstand multi-front pressure and was forced into peace with territorial losses. This campaign vividly demonstrated the unreliability of the condottieri system and the interplay of diplomacy and military power.
Section II
Strategic Critique
Visconti's biggest mistake was widening the war after successes in Romagna, forcing Florence and Venice to unite. Simultaneous conflict with the Papacy, Florence, and Venice overextended resources. Over-reliance on condottieri commanders led to betrayal; Carmagnola's defection was a strategic blow. In contrast, Venice's patient diplomacy and focus on Brescia were correct decisions, though unclear division of spoils could cause future issues. Florence balanced military weakness with diplomatic maneuvers.
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