Blenheim August 13, 1704

Strategic ContextEngland, as part of its commitment to the Grand Alliance with Holland, Austria and Prussia, sends then-Earl of Marlborough to Holland in 1702 to fight the French, Spanish and Bavarian alliance. Marlborough eventually becomes frustrated by lack of Dutch cooperation in fighting the superior French there and favours Eugene of Savoy’s concept of operating in the Danube Valley. The goal of these operations are to preserve the Austrian capital of Vienna and knock Bavaria out of the war. The combined Franco-Bavarian army under Duc de Tallard (26,000) and Elector of Bavaria (30,000) fail to defeat Eugene’s army (20,000) before it can unite with Marlborough’s army (32,000). Tallard and Elector remain confident in their strong defensive position, however.

Stakes+ A Franco-Bavarian victory would threaten Vienna and Austria’s presence in the war as a whole.

+ An Allied victory would preserve Vienna and Austria’s presence in the war as a whole while threatening Bavaria’s.

By Jonathan Webb, 2009 ©

Blenheim, 1704Strength

French

Well

Allies

Well

52,000

Duke of Marlborough

56,000

Duc de Tallard

By Jonathan Webb, 2009 ©

Elector of Bavaria Eugene of Savoy

Tallard deploys his army on the right, Elector on the left; both are nearly equal in size. Tallard/Elector agree on a defensive concept of holding the already secure flanks and attacking Marlborough’s main force as it crosses the Nebel and occupies marshy ground. Marlborough deploys his army on the left, Eugene on the right; Marlborough’s is much larger. Marlborough/Eugene plan to pin down Franco-Bavarian reserves on unsuitable terrain for attacking before launching a decisive attack on more suitable terrain.

NN

Franco-Bavarians(Tallard/Elector)

Marlborough orders Cutts to launch an attack against Blenheim. Cutts’ first wave is slaughtered in an instant although Clerambault overreacts to the relatively small attack by stuffing any available infantry into Blenheim. Meanwhile, Eugene attempts to turn Elector’s flank by pinning his center with cavalry attacks and attacking Lutzingen with infantry. The cavalry attack is quickly repelled however.

Marsin

Holstein Beck

Eugene

Marlborough

Cutts

Blainville

Tallard

Clerambault

Cutts renews the attack on Blenheim with fresh waves of infantry but must withdraw behind the Nebel in the face of abundant volleys from Blenheim and an attack by Tallard’s elite cavalry, Gens d’Armes. Eugene fares nearly the same; his infantry must also withdraw behind the Nebel before being encircled by Elector’s cavalry.

The Allies attack on every sector except Marlborough’s. Tallard’s Gens d’Armes chase Cutts’ infantry too far and are scattered by Allied cavalry which in turn overextend themselves and are destroyed; the defeat of Gens d’Armes has an awful effect on French morale while Clerambault continues to pack all available reserves into Blenheim. Eugene launches a massive but disheartened attack and suffers horrendous casualties which his smaller force cannot sustain for long. Holstein Beck attacks Oberglau but is forced to withdraw in the face of a strong cavalry counterattack by Blainville.

A sizeable rift has developed between the two Allied armies which Marsin seeks to exploit with a strong attack supported by Blainville. Marlborough sends nearby reserves but still must appeal to Eugene for aid in containing this dangerous wedge. Eugene is hard-pressed but trusts Marlborough and immediately sends a cavalry force which succeeds in blunting and containing Marsin’s attack.

Holstein Beck counterattacks and pushes Blainville back across the Nebel to besiege Oberglau although at heavy cost and commitment. With a disproportionate amount of Franco-Bavarian troops pinned down inside Blenheim and Oberglau, Marlborough patiently draws up his attack force for the decisive stroke against Tallard who can do little but wait.

Marlborough advances steadily, the cavalry edging ahead. Tallard assails the Allied cavalry while they are on marshy ground which briefly turn to retreat until supporting infantry stiffen their nerve. Tallard’s cavalry are put to flight and a portion of his infantry completely surrounded. Marlborough then turns to completely encircle Blenheim while Tallard tries to rally his army at Sonderheim.

Tallard

Clerambault

Marlborough and Cutts threaten Blenheim with a limited attack before Clerambault surrenders. Elector sees the battle is lost and the Bavarians retreat, torching Lutzingen and Oberglau on the way. Tallard is captured somewhere between Blenheim and Sonderheim, trying to rally more of his troops.

Lutzingen

Oberglau

Blenheim

Sonderheim

Landmarks

Allies(Marlborough/Eugene)

Franco-Bavarians(Duc de Tallard/Elector of Bavaria)56,000

Allies(Duke of Marlborough/Eugene of Savoy)52,000

Elector

Danube River

Nebel Stream

Blenheim, 1704Casualties & Aftermath

Franco-Bavarians: Allies:

34,000

or

61%

14,000

or

27%

By Jonathan Webb, 2009 ©

The Allied victory saved the Grand Alliance from collapse while the myth of French invincibility was shattered. This ensured the Grand Alliance remain on a strategic and moral offensive throughout the war although the war was fiercely fought on for another decade. Blenheim proved to be the turning point however.

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By Jonathan Webb, 2009 ©