The Battle of Rapallo, was fought between Swiss mercenaries on French pay and their Genoese-Milanese allies led by Louis d'Orleans against Neapolitan forces led by Giulio Orsini on 5 September 1494 near Rapallo.[1]
Rapallo was occupied by 4,000 Neapolitan troops on 3 September 1494 with Giulio Orsini, Obietto Fieschi, and Fregosino Campofregoso in command, their plan being to force a rebellion in Genoa. Later the Neapolitan fleet was forced away by bad weather.[1] On 5 September,[2] Louis d'Orleans landed with 1,000 Swiss mercenary infantry which was later reinforced overland by 2,000 more Swiss mercenaries and a contingent of Genoese-Milanese infantry.[1]
A skirmish broke out between the Swiss mercenaries and Neapolitan forces, though the terrain did not allow for the Swiss to form up their pike squares.[1] However, the battle was mainly fought between the Genoese-Milanese and Neapolitan infantry.[1] Following concentrated artillery fire from the French fleet, the Neapolitans were routed.[1] The Swiss massacred Neapolitans trying to surrender,[2] although Orsini and Campofregoso were captured in the retreat.[1]
Aftermath
After the battle, the Swiss mercenaries killed the enemy wounded and sacked the town of Rapallo.[1] Though a small battle, it was seen as a significant victory that halted Neapolitan attempts to incite a rebellion in Genoa against the French.[1]