Eclipsing the Sun King: The Relief of Turin

Text the show! Unlock the Full Uncut EpisodeRecommended Reading: The War of the Spanish Succession by James FalknerPrince Eugene of Savoy by James FalknerEpisode SummaryFor continental European powers in 1706, fighting against France was like being in a cage match with an 800-pound gorilla. Unlike the British, who had the English Channel to keep the French at arm's length, smaller states like Piedmont-Sardinia faced a life-and-death struggle against the towering ambition of Louis XIV. Join hosts Lee Gugino, Dr. Alex Burns, and Dr. Andrew Bamford as they venture into the critical Italian theater of the War of the Spanish Succession.In this episode, we dissect the monumental Siege of Turin, where a massive French army of 60,000 men besiege the capital of the Sabaudian lands. We also trace how Victor Amadeus II broke out of the besieged city to link up with the legendary Habsburg general Prince Eugene of Savoy. Together, they executed a remarkable 300-mile relief march in just 24 days. From the intense underground war of counter-mining to the final, bloody bayonet charge of the Prussian troops, we cover how a smaller allied force managed to shatter the lines of a superior enemy in one of the most decisive victories of the era."What Are You Missing?" (Edited vs. Uncut Edition)To keep the public feed moving, we've focused primarily on the grand strategy and the main battle. However, our War Room members on Patreon get the full, uncut experience, including 10 minutes of exclusive content and host banter:Habsburg Arms: Andrew and Alex discuss how this battle is a high point in Austrian military history and how that effects later battles.Modern Leadership Lessons: Alex talks about the lessons, from this historic battle, that can be useful to modern leaders.Episode Highlights & Timestamps[00:00] – The Cage Match: The geopolitical stakes of the War of the Spanish Succession.[15:15] – The House of Savoy: Victor Amadeus II and the militarized Sabaudian lands.[31:30] – Eclipsing the Sun King: The solar eclipse of May 12 and its psychological impact.[45:45] – Pietro Micca’s Sacrifice: Tunnels, gunpowder charges, and the defense of the Citadel.[1:05:00] – The Lightning Campaign: Prince Eugene of Savoy's rapid 200-mile relief march.[1:22:15] – Storming the Lines: Leopold van Anhalt-Dessau, the Prussian advance guard, and the heavy toll of the assault.[1:38:00] – The Aftermath & Superga: Why Victor Amadeus II built one of northern Italy’s most spectacular basilicas. Asking listeners to share the showSupport the show*All materials are affiliated links that earn the show commission. Using these links helps support the podcast. Thank you.