Siege of Breisach facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Siege of Breisach
Part of the Thirty Years' War
Date 18 August – 17 December 1638 Location Breisach, Holy Roman Empire 48°2′N 7°35′E / 48.033°N 7.583°E / 48.033; 7.583 Result French-Weimaran victory
Belligerents
France Weimar Army	Holy Roman Empire Bavaria
Commanders and leaders
Bernard of Saxe-Weimar Vicomte de Turenne	Johann von Götzen Federico Savelli
Strength
ca. 14,000–19,000	ca. 3,000–20,000
Casualties and losses
1,700	4,000

The siege of Breisach was a very important battle during the Thirty Years' War. It happened from August 18 to December 17, 1638. The battle took place in a strong fortress town called Breisach, which was then part of the Holy Roman Empire.

The siege ended when the French army, led by Bernard of Saxe-Weimar, defeated the Imperial forces. The Imperial forces were the army of the Holy Roman Empire. They tried many times to send help to Breisach, but they failed. This victory was a big win for France and its allies.

What Was the Siege of Breisach?

The Siege of Breisach was a long military attack on the town of Breisach. A "siege" means an army surrounds a place to cut off its supplies. They try to force the people inside to give up. Breisach was a very strong fortress. It was built on a hill next to the Rhine River. This made it hard to attack.

Why Was Breisach Important?

Breisach was a key location during the Thirty Years' War. It was like a gate between France and the Holy Roman Empire. Controlling Breisach meant controlling important trade routes and military paths. If France held Breisach, they could easily move troops and supplies. It also gave them a strong base to attack other areas.

Who Was Involved?

The main groups fighting were:

• French and Weimar Army: These forces were led by Bernard of Saxe-Weimar. He was a skilled military leader from Germany who fought for France. Another French general, Vicomte de Turenne, also played a part.
• Holy Roman Empire and Bavaria: These were the defenders of Breisach. They were led by generals like Johann von Götzen and Federico Savelli. The Holy Roman Empire was a large group of states in Central Europe. Bavaria was one of its powerful states.

What Happened During the Siege?

The siege lasted for about four months. It was a very difficult time for everyone involved.

The Attack Begins

Bernard of Saxe-Weimar's army surrounded Breisach in August 1638. They began to dig trenches and set up cannons. Their goal was to stop anyone from getting in or out. They also wanted to break down the fortress walls.

Help Tries to Arrive

The Imperial forces knew Breisach was important. They tried several times to send help to the soldiers trapped inside.

• General Götzen led one attempt to break through the French lines.
• General Savelli also tried to bring supplies and more soldiers.

However, Bernard of Saxe-Weimar's army was strong. They managed to stop all these relief efforts. This meant the people inside Breisach were running out of food and supplies.

The End of the Siege

As winter approached, conditions inside Breisach became terrible. The soldiers and people were starving. They had no hope of help arriving. Finally, on December 17, 1638, the Imperial garrison surrendered. A "garrison" is a group of soldiers defending a place.

What Was the Result?

The French and Weimar army won the Siege of Breisach. This victory was a big success for France in the Thirty Years' War. It gave them a strong position in the region. It also showed the strength of Bernard of Saxe-Weimar's leadership. The fall of Breisach was a major turning point in the war. It helped France gain more power in Europe.