Battle of Siegburg facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Siegburg
Part of War of the First Coalition
Detail of the 1796 map from Grundsätze der Strategie by Erzherzog Carl von Österreich
Date 1 June 1796 Location Siegburg Result French victory
Belligerents
France 1804 France	Habsburg monarchy Austria
Commanders and leaders
France 1804 Obergeneral Jean-Baptiste Kléber	Habsburg monarchy Prince Augustus of Württemberg
Strength
ca. 20.000	ca. 7.000
Casualties and losses
Unknown	2400

The Battle of Siegburg was an important early fight in the War of the First Coalition. It was the first big step in a major French plan to cross the River Rhine in 1796. This crossing was a key part of the war that year.

On May 30, 1796, a French general named Jean-Baptiste Kléber led his troops across the Rhine River near Düsseldorf. He had two groups of soldiers, called divisions, with him. These were led by generals Lefebvre and Colaud. General Kléber then marched his forces towards Siegburg.

What Was the Battle of Siegburg?

The Battle of Siegburg happened on June 1, 1796. It was a clash between the French army and the Austrian forces. The French, led by General Kléber, were trying to push deeper into enemy territory. They needed to secure Siegburg to allow more French troops to cross the Rhine.

The Armies and Their Leaders

The French army was much larger, with about 20,000 soldiers. They were commanded by General Jean-Baptiste Kléber. He was a skilled leader known for his quick decisions.

The Austrian army had about 7,000 soldiers. Their commander was Prince Augustus of Württemberg. He faced a tough challenge against the larger French force.

How the Battle Unfolded

The French attacked Siegburg, aiming to defeat the Austrian defenders. The fighting was intense, but the French had a big advantage in numbers. General Kléber's strategy was to win this battle quickly. This would open the way for another French general, Jean-Baptiste Jourdan, to bring his main army across the Rhine at Neuwied.

The battle ended with a clear victory for the French. The Austrian forces suffered heavy losses, with about 2,400 soldiers killed or wounded. The number of French casualties is not known.

Why Was This Battle Important?

The French victory at Siegburg was very important for their war plans. It allowed General Jourdan to move his large army across the Rhine River safely. This meant the French could continue their big attack into enemy lands. The Battle of Siegburg set the stage for the rest of the 1796 campaign in the War of the First Coalition.