Battle of Friedlingen

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Battle of Friedlingen
Part of the War of the Spanish Succession
Date October 14, 1702
Location near Freiburg, present-day Germany
Result French victory
Belligerents
Flag of France Kingdom of France Flag of Holy Roman Empire Holy Roman Empire
Commanders
Claude Louis Hector de Villars Louis William, Margrave of Baden-Baden
Strength
17,000 - 20,000, 33 cannons 14,000
Casualties and losses
1703 killed, 2601 wounded 355 killed, 742 wounded
v • d • e
War of the Spanish
Succession
Carpi – Chiari – Cremona – Luzzara – Cádiz – Friedlingen – Vigo Bay – Ekeren – Höchstädt – Schellenberg – Blenheim – Málaga – Elixheim – Cassano – Calcinato – Ramillies – Turin – Castiglione – Almansa – Toulon – Oudenarde – Lille – Malplaquet – Almenara – Saragossa – Brihuega – Villaviciosa – Bouchain – Denain – Barcelona


The Battle of Friedlingen was fought in 1702 between France and the Holy Roman Empire. The Imperial forces were led by Louis William, Margrave of Baden-Baden, while the French were led by Claude Louis Hector de Villars. The French were victorious.

Contents

[edit] Prelude

The French were seeking to expand their influence on the eastern bank of the river Rhine. In the autumn of 1702, Villars received orders from Louis XIV to attack Swabia. The French forces needed to join their Bavarian allies and defeat the Imperial troops that stood between them.

[edit] Battle

The French crossed the Rhine at Weil am Rhein, just north of Basle on October 14, 1702. Villars attacked the Imperial army at Friedlingen. The future field marshal Louis William entrenched his army and managed to hold the French for some time. He then retreated in good order to the North.

[edit] Aftermath

It was a Pyrrhic victory for Villars. French losses were high: 1,703 dead and 2,601 wounded, whereas the Imperial forces lost 355 dead and 742 wounded. Villars was also prevented from joining the Bavarians.[1]

The villages on the eastern bank of the Rhine suffered much damage, especially Weil am Rhein.

[edit] References

  1. ^ The Spanish Succession 1702

[edit] External links