(2009) Mi.Nr. 4748 - 4752 ** - France - Red Cross - 150th anniversary of the Battle of Solferino

150 Years Since the Battle of Solferino: A Historical Milestone in European History

The Battle of Solferino, which took place on 24 June 1859, is one of the most important engagements of the Second Italian War of Independence. It pitted the armies of the Austrian Empire on the one hand against the combined forces of France and the Kingdom of Sardinia on the other. The outcome of the battle contributed to the unification of Italy and became a key moment in the history of humanitarian aid.

The Battle
The battle took place in the area between the towns of Solferino and San Martino in northern Italy. Approximately 300,000 soldiers fought there, making it one of the largest battles of the 19th century. The Austrian army under the command of Emperor Franz Joseph I faced the combined forces of Emperor Napoleon III and King Victor Emmanuel II of Sardinia.

The conflict was extremely bloody and chaotic. The Austrian troops, although in a more advantageous defensive position, eventually succumbed to a better organized Allied advance. After a full day of fighting, Austria suffered a heavy defeat, leading to its retreat from Lombardy.

The aftermath of the battle
The battle resulted in the signing of the Armistice of Villafranca, which marked the end of Austrian rule in northern Italy. Lombardy came under the control of the Kingdom of Sardinia, which greatly accelerated the process of Italian unification.

Another significant impact of the battle was its humanitarian aspect. The Swiss merchant Henry Dunant, who witnessed the suffering of wounded soldiers on the battlefield, decided to initiate the creation of an organization providing aid to the victims of the war. His efforts led to the founding of the International Red Cross in 1863 and later to the adoption of the Geneva Conventions.

Memorial of the battle today
Today, the Battle of Solferino is commemorated as an important historical moment not only in the history of Italy, but also in international humanitarian law. Every year, commemorative events are held there and the International Red Cross organises the so-called "March of Solferino", which commemorates the emergence of the movement to help those suffering in conflicts.