Naval Operations on Lake Garda, 1866

The naval operations on Lake Garda in 1866 during the Third Italian War of Independence consisted of a series of clashes between flotillas of the Kingdom of Italy and the Austrian Empire between 25 June and 25 July that year, as they attempted to secure dominance of the lake. The Austrian fleet, larger, more modern and better-armed, successfully maintained control of the waters, hindering the movement of Italian troops.

At the outset of the war, the border between Austria and Italy ran down the middle of the lake. The Brescia region to the west lay within Italy while Verona and the lands east of the lake were Austrian. Austria controlled Riva del Garda at the northern tip of the lake, as well as the important fortress of Peschiera del Garda on the west bank of the River Mincio at its southern end. Peschiera was part of the so-called 'Quadrilateral' of strong core Austrian defences, leaving the exposed eastern shore of Lake Garda an area of potential weakness, vulnerable to Italian infiltration. This might have involved a strike from the north end of the Lake up the valley of the Chiese river to threaten Trento and cut off the supply lines of the Austrian forces in the Veneto. It might also have involved a landing of forces behind Peschiera to threaten Verona. On the Italian side, the buildup of Austrian naval strength caused concerns about a possible Austrian attack across the lake towards Brescia.

During the years before 1866 war Austria had built up a powerful flotilla of steam-powered screw gunboats on Lake Garda. The Garda flotilla had seen little action during the 1859 war against France, and afterwards the Emperor Franz Josef, on the suggestion of his brother, Navy Commander Archduke Ferdinand Max, moved It from army to navy control. With its headquarters in Torri del Benaco on the east bank of the lake, supported by the fortified bases at Peschiera and Riva del Garda, it Included 22 boats: 6 modern screw-driven gunboats - 'Wildfang', 'Raufbold', 'Wespe', 'Uskoke', 'Scharfschütze' and 'Speiteufeland', 2 large armed paddlesteamers, the and the a dozen launches, a pair of armed barges at Peschiera for use as floating batteries, a half-dozen unarmed sailboats for scouting purposes and the 3rd Marine Infantry Company stationed at Peschiera, giving a total armament of 62 cannons and 10 mortars. In May this flotilla was placed under the command of Corvetten-Capitän , a well-known gunnery expert. He first placed his flag on board the 'Hess', with its larger and more comfortable accommodation, but shifted his command to the more effective 'Speiteufel' on 10 June as war appeared imminent.

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