Siege of Hulst

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Siege of Hulst

Date	1645
Location	Hulst
Result	Decisive Dutch victory

Belligerents

Dutch Republic

Spain

Commanders

Frederick Henry

Unknown

Strength

12.500 infantry

2.500 cavalry

20 pieces of artillery

2.500 infantry

250 cavalry

Casualties and losses

1.500 infantry

100 cavalry, killed or wounded

2.500, killed, wounded or capture

Dutch Revolt

Oosterweel – Rheindalen – Heiligerlee – Jemmingen – Jodoigne – Brielle – Haarlem – Flushing – Borsele – Zuiderzee – Alkmaar – Leiden – Reimerswaal – Mookerheyde – Gembloux – Maastricht – 1st Breda – Antwerp – Boksum – Zutphen – 1st Bergen op Zoom – Gravelines – 2nd Breda – Turnhout – Nieuwpoort – Ostend – Sluys – Gibraltar – 2nd Bergen op Zoom –3rd Breda – Groenlo - Bay of Matanzas – 's-Hertogenbosch – Maastricht – 4th Breda – Kallo – The Downs – Hulst – Puerto de Cavite

The Siege of Hulst (1645) was the last major siege of the Eighty Years' War, in which the heavily fortified town of Hulst was conquered by Dutch troops commanded by Frederick Henry after 28 days. The Spanish heard of the siege two days before the siege started. The Spanish army only compromised 2.500 infantry 250 cavalry. The Dutch attacked with 12.500 infantry, 2.500 cavalry and 20 pieces of artillery.

[edit] The Battle:

The battle was split in two stages.

First Stage:

Frederick commanded 4.500 infantry and 5 pieces of artillery to attack the east side of the city. When the Dutch forces reached the Eastern side of the city they met a small Spanish force of 1.500 men. The Dutch started with several cannon shots which killed already 100 men. The Spanish where quickly approached by the Dutch forces. In 10 days the Spanish lost 1.000 men and the Dutch lost 400 men. The Dutch now controlled the east side of the city.

Second stage:

After Frederick heard about the success in the Eastern part. He sent 1.000 cavalry to reinforce the Eastern front. After they reached that part he announced an attack towards the center of the city. The Spanish commander ordered the cavalry to rush themselves toward Frederick himself. However, the cavalry was ambushed and nearly annihilated. After 18 days of artillery fire the Spanish commander finally surrendered.

[edit] Aftermath

The Dutch captured Hulst with minimum losses. They lost 1.500 infantry and 100 cavalry. The Spanish lost 2.000 infantry and 225 cavalry. The rest was captured and the unknown Spanish commander was executed.