Assault on Aardenburg (1672) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Assault on Aardenburg
Part of the Franco-Dutch War
The heroic defence of Aardenburg, by Barend Wijnveld
Date June 25–26, 1672 Location Aardenburg, Dutch Republic Result Dutch victory
Belligerents
France	Dutch Republic
Commanders and leaders
Claude Antoine de Dreux de Dreux-Nancré	EliasBeeckman [nl] Colonel Albert Spindler
Strength
5,000-9,000 men	198 soldiers 165 armed civilians
Casualties and losses
500-1500 killed or wounded 500-620 prisoners	0 killed 2-6 wounded

The Assault on Aardenburg was a short but important battle that happened on June 25–26, 1672. A large French army, with thousands of soldiers, tried to capture the small fortress town of Aardenburg in the Dutch Republic. Even though the town had very few defenders, they fought bravely and managed to stop the French attack. This surprising victory showed great courage and teamwork.

Why Aardenburg Was Attacked

A detailed map of Aardenburg in 1672

In 1672, the Franco-Dutch War had just begun. The French army was quickly taking over many towns in the Dutch Republic. Aardenburg was a small town, and its defenses were not very strong. In fact, the town was told to take down its defenses. By April 18, Aardenburg had almost no protection left. Most of its soldiers had left, with only 25 staying behind.

The commander of the fort went to The Hague to ask for help. Aardenburg was in great danger. The town's population was very small, maybe around 50 people. On June 25, the French army was already close by. The people of Aardenburg wanted to leave for safety.

Preparing for Battle

That evening, news arrived that the French were heading straight for Aardenburg. The citizens decided to stay and fight. Everyone worked together to get ready for the attack.

• They made bullets and melted lead.
• They prepared gunpowder.
• They turned old iron into sharp pieces for defense.
• They even carried stones to the walls to throw at the attackers.

The French Attack Begins

In the middle of the night, the French army reached a nearby village. The attack on Aardenburg began. The small group of defenders fought very hard. They were waiting for more soldiers to arrive from the town of Sluis.

A French soldier came forward and demanded that Aardenburg surrender. The defenders quickly chased him away. While this was happening, some French soldiers captured a few citizens in the fields. The Dutch defenders fired from the fort at the French camp. The French soldiers then ran away, and some were captured. The captured citizens were set free.

Fighting Back Hard

The French kept trying to break through. More French soldiers arrived, but the Dutch fought back fiercely. They shot their weapons and threw rocks. Everyone did their best to stop the invasion. Even the women dressed as men to join the fight. Children helped too, by carrying supplies to the defenders.

The French army attacking Aardenburg

The town leaders thought about giving up because they were so outnumbered. However, Commander Beeckman refused to surrender. The mayor sent another urgent request for help. Around 7 PM, 40 more soldiers arrived from Sluis. Finally, the children and women could be safely moved out of the town.

A Night of Courage

The French still had a huge army, with about 8,000 to 9,000 soldiers. In the night, they tried to attack again, but they failed. The defenders of Aardenburg held their ground.

A commander watching the assault on Aardenburg from a hill

More help arrived: 110 soldiers led by Colonel Spindler from Sluis. They approached the Waterpoort, one of the town's gates. A group of French soldiers attacked an outer barrier, shouting loudly. The defenders shouted back, showing their bravery.

The French then lowered the drawbridge and opened the inner gate, thinking they had won. They cheered, believing the city was captured. They attacked two strongholds of the city. But the defenders pushed the French back from the outer defenses. Some captured French soldiers begged for mercy and were locked up in the local church. One French soldier escaped and told another army about the prisoners. On June 27, the French army finally gave up and left Aardenburg.

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