Battle of Friedlingen facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Friedlingen
Part of the War of the Spanish Succession
The Battle of Friedlingen, unknown author
Date 14 October 1702 Location near Basle 47°35′N 7°36′E / 47.583°N 7.600°E / 47.583; 7.600 Result French victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of France	Holy Roman Empire (Imperial Army)
Commanders and leaders
Claude Louis Hector de Villars	Louis William, Margrave of Baden-Baden
Strength
17,000 men, 35 cannons	14,000 men
Casualties and losses
1,600 2,700	4,000 2,900

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.

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.

Battle

The French crossed the Rhine at Weil am Rhein, just north of Basle on 14 October 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.

Aftermath

It was a Pyrrhic victory for Villars. French losses differ between different sources, but were certainly high: Between 1,600 and 2,700 dead and wounded, whereas the Imperial forces lost between 3,000 and 4,000 men. Villars was also prevented from joining the Bavarians.

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