The Battle of Fontenoy , May 11, 1745, was the main engagement of the Austrian War of Success, fought between the powers of the Pragmatic Allies - comprising mainly Dutch, British and Hanover troops under the command of the Duke of Cumberland - and the French army under Maurice de Saxe, commander of King Louis XV's forces in the Low Countries. The battle was one of the most important in the war and was regarded as the work of Saxe, serving France; Louis XV, and his son, Dauphin, were present on the battlefield.
Saxe continued the attack in April 1745 with a large French troop, seeking to build a profit the previous year. The initial goal was to control the upper Scheldt basin and thus gain access to the heart of the Austrian Netherlands. For this purpose, he first encircled the Tournai fortress, protecting the siege with its main force about 5 miles (~ 9 km) southeast of the city. To alleviate Tournai, the first allies decided to attack the Saxe position - a feature that is naturally strong, dependent on the village of Fontenoy and further strengthened by defensive works.
After failing to make progress on the wings - Dutch on the left, Ingrigby Brigade's brigade on the right - Cumberland decided to smash his way through the center without securing the sides of his main attack. In spite of a fire that destroyed a composite column, consisting of British infantry and Hanoveri, broke through the French line until it reached its point of victory. Only when Saxe concentrated all available infantry, cavalry, and artillery were columns that were forced to produce. The Allies withdrew well, withdrawing. The battle has shown, however, the strength of the defensive forces that rely on weapons and strong reserves.
The casualties were high on both sides, but France had gained the pitch, and Tournai fell shortly after the battle. This success was accompanied by rapid progress against the less organized armies of allies and outnumbered: Ghent, Oudenarde, Bruges, and Dendermonde soon fell to French troops. The withdrawal of British troops to Britain to handle the Jacobit hikes facilitated the French capture of the important ports of Ostend and Nieuwpoort, threatening British relations with the Low Countries. By the end of the year, Saxon-born Saxe had completed the conquest of most of the Dutch state in Austria, and with his success he became a national hero in his adopted country. The battle has established French superiority and high command.
Video Battle of Fontenoy
​​â € <â €
In 1744, the French went to attack in the Low Countries. King Louis XV and Duke Noailles scored early successes by seizing frontier fortresses in western Flanders: Menin, Ypres, and Fort Knokke fell in June, while Furnes was taken in July. The entire maritime sector in south Flanders was immediately in French hands, but the strategic situation suddenly changed when Prince Charles of Lorraine led the 70,000 imperial troops across the Rhine and into Alsace. To overcome this threat, Louis XV and Noailles led a large number of reinforcements to the south, while Maurice de Saxe, the powerful son of Augustus II and, since March, a French Marshal, was left in charge in Flanders with troops reduced from 50,000 and 60,000 people face 96,000 allied soldiers. Defying the Saxe is a Pragmatic Army, composed largely of British and Hanoveri troops under General George Wade, and Dutch troops under Prince Maurice of Nassau. Much had been expected of the allies in 1744 but their generous agility had yielded nothing to an enemy with a lower number. Although Wade eventually advanced towards Lille, he did little more than quarrel with Austria about the cost of moving his siege train from Antwerp. Saxe is able to maintain its position in Courtrai and along the Lys line, and remains relatively undisturbed. Partly , the result of an allied campaign in the Low Countries has led to the downfall of Carteret's government in England, leading to a new government led by Henry Pelham and his brother, Duke of Newcastle..
Elsewhere, the Pragmatic Allies had a great success in late 1744. The Austro-Saxon combined forces under the leadership of Charles of Lorraine and Count Traun drove the Prussian army of Frederick II of Bohemia; and Piedmont-Sardinia had driven the Bourbons from northern Italy. Further success followed by death in January 1745 from the French puppet emperor, Charles VII. When his successor, Maximilian III Joseph, hesitated on a peace proposal, Austria launched a swift campaign, culminating in April with the defeat of Franco-Bavaria at the decisive Battle of Pfaffenhofen. Joseph demanded peace and gave his support for the nomination of Maria Theresa's husband, Francis Stephen, in the imminent imperial election for an empty throne. With Bavaria out of war, Austria can now try to win back Silesia from Frederick II. Likewise, Bavaria's rejection of its French ties means that France is liberated from its German involvement, and can now concentrate on its own military efforts in Italy and the Low Countries.
In early December 1744, the Saxe had prepared plans for a spring attack on the Low Countries. He has decided not only about what he will do, but what he will force his enemy to do, correctly calculating the operational and political difficulties that will be faced by such diverse opponents. This opponent consisted of Britain, the Netherlands, Austria and Saxony, which ended the Warsaw Defense Treaty in January 1745 - the Quadruple Alliance - where all contractors committed to upholding Pragmatic Sanctions and the House of Austria claim over the crown imperial. For Low Countries, Britain sent the son of King George II, 24-year-old Duke of Cumberland, as the new captain-general of the British army, while Maria Theresa sent an experienced Count KÃÆ'¶nigsegg to lead Austrian troops. The trio of generals was completed by Prince Waldeck, commander of the Dutch contingent at the theater. They hope to get the initiative with the creation of an advanced magazine and the opening of the campaign season. Major inventories and ammunition magazine depots were set up for Britain by General Ligonier in Ghent, Oudenarde and Tournai, while Dutch General Vander Duyn placed them in Mons, Charleroi and Tournai.
Maps Battle of Fontenoy
Prelude
Duke of Cumberland - supreme commander of allied forces - arrived in The Hague on 18 April 1745; two days later he arrived in Brussels where the Allied forces were concentrating. Here he meets KÃÆ'¶nigsegg, Waldeck, and General de Wendt, the commander of the Hanover contingent who has been ordered to fight in close coordination with Britain. According to the "Allied Forces Country", which was sent home by Cumberland, an effective allied forces force of less than 43,000 consisting of 30,550 infantry and 12,000 cavalry. However, this number continues to grow and the relief forces will eventually bring their troops to 53,000, and for a short time, an unparalleled optimism includes aligned war councils. The young Cumberland has designs on the campaign that will reach its peak in Paris, but the more experienced mentor and Ligonier-Cumberland commander of the British infantry - warns that the French numerical advantage means the allies must "by their situation, become masters of the siege wherever they please". So the allies are back on the defense strategy while waiting for clear evidence of Saxe intentions.
Saxe, who was stricken with turtles (considered in the 18th century as a fatal disorder), left Paris for a front in Flanders on 31 March. On April 20 he reached his base of operations at Maubeuge, collecting his army of 95,000 people comprising 69,000 infantry and 25,600 cavalry. In this campaign, the Saxe had one primary goal: controlling the Scheldt basin over and hence the heart of the Austrian Netherlands. For this he has requested the services of Duke of Noailles and Count LÃÆ'¶wendahl, a Dane who has gained experience in the Great North War.
The French campaign to get the initiative is about to begin. On 21 April, the Comte d'EstrÃÆ' Â © es departs towards Mons with cavalry powers, while Du Chayla, chasing different routes, departs with the intention of uniting with d'EstrÃÆ' Â © ice around the city. However, this movement is just pretending to disguise Saxe's real intention to besiege Tournai; it is a fraud that has the desired effect on the command of its allies. "With all the intelligence I have from various parts", writes Cumberland on April 23, "the real design of the enemy is to besiege Mons." Added, "The Marshal Count Saxe is at Maubeuge and is so low that his death is estimated daily."
When allies were in Brussels making a disposition to march towards the Mons reliefs, the Saxe slipped into Scheldt with the army's main body toward the real target; one column on the left bank of the river, and two columns on the right to cover the parade and involve allies in battle. The capture of Tournai will consolidate and extend the benefits it has made in previous campaigns, and provide France with a key to the approach of Ghent and Oudenarde, threatening British communications with Ostend and the sea. But the siege is also a bait for a much more original maneuver - the rapid engagement of the enemy in a place favorable to the French army, and at a time before the allies can reach their full strength. Although Saxe prefers the siege war movement, he knows that nothing is more likely to provoke an early dispute than to threaten one of the larger forts, which can only be ignored by the most confident and capable commander.
France opened their trenches around Tournai on April 30, exactly according to the warnings conveyed by Saxe to Versailles in December 1744. Saxe entrusted the investment to LÃÆ'¶wendahl, while he himself turned his attention to the gathered Allied army. The true intent of France is not found by allies until 28 April. "After many variations and contradictions," wrote Cumberland's secretary, "our suggestion over the last two or three days agreed that the enemy troops were before Toumai." Because of the unresolved allies had not started their march until April 30, reaching the Soignies on May 2 where they were detained due to bad weather. On May 5th allies reached Cambron. Here, the reserve corps was formed under Hanover, Moltke, and separated towards Leuze where 50 French squadrons under Du Chayla were stationed as observation corps. Du Chayla immediately retired to Tournai, but he had achieved his goal: he had satisfied himself about which path the allies would approach.
Initial battle
From Cambron allies march to Moulbay and into the sound of siege weapons in Tournai. Even now Cumberland is still unsure of the situation, "I can not come to a certain knowledge of the number of enemies, but I have convincing information that the body on this side of Schelde does not exceed 31 battalions and 32 squadrons, the siege progress, the weather is so bad that , we are in a great distance to hear the canon very clearly, but no correct judgment can be established from there whether the enemy is withdrawing from Schelde or not. "On the night of May 9th the allies finally reached the last stage of their journey. exhausting, fortifying their left wing at Maubray, and their right at the Baugnies, almost within range of a shot of French outposts. Tournai is located six miles (~ 10 km) to the northwest.
French confession has confirmed the Saxe in its belief that the allies will seek to free Tournai by trying to force a passage from the southeast through Fontenoy and the small town of Antoing in Scheldt. The French commander is now looking for a good place where he may await a security attack, eventually settling in a strong defensive position on the east side of Scheldt, about 5 miles (~ 9 km) southeast of Tournai. In order to guard against any break-ins by the Dutch from the besieged city, the Marquis of Dreux-BrÃÆ' © zÃÆ'Â © left with 21,550 people in the trenches, and orders to contain garrisons of about 8,000 people by all means. Louis XV took to the field in person, accompanied by his son Louis, and his enormous companions. After observing the siege on Tournai, the King moved to ChÃÆ' Â ¢ teau de Calonne between Tournai and Antoing. On the same day, May 8, the Saxe began to move its main army into a position to confront the Pragmatic Army.
During a repeated rush on May 9, Cumberland, KÃÆ'¶nigsegg, and Waldeck found France fortifying Fontenoy; they also found the enemy pickets in the villages of Vezon and Bourgeon. These posts were handled the next day: to the right of England under General Campbell moved to retrieve Vezon, where Cumberland later moved its headquarters; while the Dutch on the left possessed themselves from Bourgeon. The allied forward units now hold the Peronne-Bourgeon-Vezon line. After the reunion, the allied commander decided to postpone the battle until the morning of the 11th, but all agreed that the French position - a barrier between them and Tournai - should be attacked.
Fight the troop
When the two soldiers meet in the field, they are roughly equal in number. Although there is no complete agreement among historians about the exact numbers, there is general agreement that there are about 50,000 on each side with France having more cavalry and allies having more infantry. Some historians place more French and others are allies.
Allied troops consist of 53,000 people in 52 battalions and 85 squadrons, 22,000 of which are Dutch, 21,000 British, 8,000 Hanover, and 2,000 Austrians. They have 80 to 105 cannons.
The French army has 48,000 people 32,000 infantry in 55 battalions and 14,000 cavalry in 101 squadrons and 90-110 cannons, at least 86 of which are small four-poner battalions.
The French troops were ordered by one of the great captains of the time but the troops had lagged behind several other powers in tactics, training, and discipline. Historian David Chandler quotes Saxe:
Our infantry, though the most courageous in Europe, is not fit to stand in a position, where infantry are less daring, but better drilled and in better formation, can seal it.
Chandler also stated that the Saxe admired the discipline and superior formation of allies and quotes from the letter Saxe wrote to Frederick the Great in September 1746:
France is what they are at the time of Caesar, and he describes them, dare to excess but unstable... Since it is impossible for me to make them what it should be, I get what I get from them and try to nothing important for the occasion.
In contrast, the Pragmatic Army consisted of more trained and disciplined European troops in the British and Hanover contingents, but did not have a great captain to rule them. Young, 26 years old, Cumberland owes his position to his high rank and he has no previous experience leading the troops. He will only win a battle in his career with a very small army, the Culloden, and he is portrayed by historian Armstrong Starkey as "an excellent brigadier."
Battle
French defensive position
Saxe's chosen position to make his defense naturally strong: his troop resting in Antoing, center at Fontenoy, and left covered by Wood of Barry. This line of defense is located on the edge of the peak of the plateau. Here there are strengths and advantages of the Saxe option: descendants in many places along the natural glacial position, and throughout the whole, from Antoing to wood, the prolonged slopes offer even deadly fields for guns and rifle shots. This position is further strengthened by the construction of forts. Two were built along the fissure of Fontenoy-Barry, defended by two Eu Brigade regiments, and each equipped with four of his first (nearest Fontenoy) shells, known as Redoubt of Eu, play a central part in combat. Behind these works and extending northeast to the village of Ramcroix stood the French left wing, including six Irish Brigade battalions. Between Fontenoy and Antoing's larger village in France, there are three more built along the hill line. This defense is manned and supported by Crillon, Bettens, Diesbach, and Biron regiments, and three dragoon regiments descend. Antoing himself was defended by seven battalions, including four veterans of Piedmont battalions, and six weapons. In addition, six 12-pounders mounted on the far side of Scheldt facing Antoing, targeting the left side of any attacking force in the quarter.
The French hinge section consists of a small hamlet of Fontenoy. This position is held by the Dauphin Brigade, consisting of three battalions of the Dauphin Regiment, and one from Beauvoisis, backed by six weapons ordering the approach. But it was the Fontenoy-Barry gap that was dangerous for Saxe. Here the line consists of Gardes Suisses, four battalions of Gardes FranÃÆ'§aises, and the Aubeterre brigade consisting of three Swiss Courten regimental battalions and one battalion of the Aubeterre Regiment. Immediately to the back of Fontenoy there were three battalions from Le Roi's regiment. Behind the first line is further infantry support, and behind this stands the whole body of the French cavalry, with their left on the Leuze-Tournai flyover, and their right a bit away from Fontenoy. In total, the Saxe has 60 battalions and 110 squadrons, of which about 6,000 are thrown into the bridge at Calonne and Vaulx to secure possible retreat lines and/or to guard against attacks from Tournai behind its position. This left the French commander with about 50,000 troops to fight the upcoming battle. A hundred rifles were placed along the line, between Antoing and Wood of Barry.
Allied attack attack
At 2 am on May 11, the allied regiment took over their station. The British were placed on the right wing with the Hanoverians on their left, while the Dutch took the left wing, supported by a small Austrian contingent consisting mostly of installed troops. A large battery of allied weapons, about 40 to 50 according to French accounts, began to bombard the position of France in the distance. However, the allied bombing had little effect, as most French people were in the jungle, in the sand dunes, behind the waves of land leading to their positions, or fortified in Fontenoy. Accounts of both parties speak with a duration of three hours and the intensity of another fire.
The surveillance of Cumberland on the night of the 10th failed to detect Redoubt of Eu near the forest, but on that night information had been brought to him about his whereabouts. The strength of the remaining Frenchmen is now appreciated, and the position becomes the most important issue. The task of neutralizing strong points was given to Ingolsby, where he was given the orders of Duroure (12), Pulteney (13), the Highland Regiment (43rd), and the Hanoverian BÃÆ'¶schlanger regiment. While this attack goes right, the Netherlands and Austria with the Hanoverians at the center will attack to the left of Cumberland in an all-out attack on Fontenoy and Antoing. After the sides were under severe attack, the weighty British infantry body could invade the Fontenoy-Barry gap and drive out the main French army.
Ingolsby has an explicit command from Duke to capture the Redoubt of Eu, and either jumps weapons or directs them to the enemy. At about 6:00 am, Ingolby moved the brigade forward, but he stopped with a 'empty way' a short distance from the forest. Here he stayed, informing Lord Bury (one of the six helpers of Cumberland), "that he saw troops in the forest, that he did not know their numbers, and had consulted with his officers, who thought it was impractical." in the woods' is Grassins, a combination of light infantry and light cavalry that defensively defends positions against allied attacks. Ingolby continues to falter and hesitate. He asks for a cannon before he progresses and immediately sends three 6-pounds but he still does not make an attack. Eventually Cumberland himself confronted Brigadier, but at this time the British infantry were preparing on the plains outside Vezon in readiness for the main attack, while on their left, the Dutch were preparing to advance to Fontenoy and the headaches between the village and Antoing.. With the French cannon taking many casualties in this solid formation it is clear that the opportunity for the Ingolsby attack has passed, and Duke only orders him to move the brigade forward according to the main formation of England under Ligonier. Cumberland decided to ignore the danger on his right side. To add to his problems, General Campbell, the British cavalry commander, was previously badly wounded in the infantry assault on the plains, and had been taken off the field without revealing his orders to other officers. With no one knowing what to do, the cavalry was simply shaped to the back of the infantry where they remained until the battle was almost decided.
Ligonier finally sent word to Cumberland that he was ready to move forward as soon as the Dutch attacked Fontenoy. The night of the 10th has seen the left wing of the allies advance towards the enemy rather than the right one. Prince Waldeck thus can complete his disposition to fight in the morning faster than Ligonier. The Dutch lines, from left to right, were formed from: 36 cavalry squadrons, eight subsequent infantry battalions, then four squadrons and finally, facing Fontenoy, 12 battalions in two lanes. However, Waldeck also did not quite recall his purpose, and was unaware of the enemy's position in the village. The Dutch advanced, transferring three artillery batteries to support their attacks. The French infantry, safe behind their hurdles, allowed the Dutch to close before releasing a devastating volley towards them. The Dutch people who were not killed, escaped. Meanwhile, the second column, with the cavalry behind him, advanced in Antoing. Facing a terrible fire from three redoubts and batteries on the far side of Scheldt, the Dutch in this sector also faltered. Their cavalry is changing; but while most of them stop inside the cannon-shot, a fraction of them run away. Colonel Appius flew with his regiment back to Ath.
It was about 10:30 pm, and the British and Hanoveri infantry were ready to come forward. However, both wing attacks - Inglosby on the right and Holland on the left - failed. With Fontenoy and Redoubt of Eu still in the hands of France Cumberland and KÃÆ'¶nigsegg must decide whether to go forward or back and wait for a more profitable opportunity. Cumberland chose to attack. In addition, he personally chose to lead the column in what became one of the great infantry advances of the 18th century.
Allied Column
The English and Hanoverian are deployed in two lines. The first English line, from right to left, consisted of three brigades: first, on the right, the Guard Brigade consisted of the first, third, and second guardians; second, the Ponsonby brigade of the Royal Scots (1st Foot), Scots Fusiliers (21st Foot), Handaside's (31st Foot); third, Onslow's Onslow (8th Foot) Onslow brigade, Rothe/Sempill's (25th Foot), Johnson's (33rd Foot) and Howard's (19th Foot). The second English line is three brigades, from right to left: Howard's first brigade with Howard's 'Buffs' (3rd Foot) on the right, the Welsh Fusiliers (23rd) Foot and Skelton's (32nd Foot); second, the Bland Brigade of Sowle's (11th Foot) and Bragg's (28th Foot); and Cholmondeley's third Skelton brigade (34th Foot) and Bligh's (20th Foot). The Hanoverian Regiment is to the left of the English line.
The Netherlands now make a second attempt at Fontenoy, reinforced by the Austrian cavalry and two British infantry battalions, including the Highland Regiment. The Dauphin Brigade was struck by the "High Upland Anger," which attacked us with more violence than the oceans that ever happened when driven by a storm. " However, the French fire together drove the allied forces back. This made the Dutch helpless of retirement out of reach and did not participate in the main attack. Along the right side of France, allies have been attacked; but the battle is not over yet. Having been congratulated by Monsieur de Bauffremont, the Saxe simply replied, "all is not said; let's go to English, they will be harder to digest", and, at about 10:15, he leaves his ricker train and boarded his famous car. white palfrey.
When the second Dutch attack on Fontenoy came in, the main allied formation moved towards the French position on the plateau. Cumberland took place next to Ligonier at the heads of 20 battalions, 15 Britons and 5 Hanoverians on their left, led by the British Guard Brigades, each with two battalions of their weapons, about 13,000 to 15,000 men, arranged in two disciplinary lines, each of six deep rankings. However, the narrowness of the dirtiness through which the attack had to be escaped forced the Hanoverians back to form the third line behind England. As England and Hanover advanced France pushed forward four small three-pound battalion weapons from the Gardes FranÃÆ'§aises Brigade and four from the Aubeterre Brigade, fire from this was added to the bombing of the Redoubt d'Eu. Cumberland responded by deploying seven battalions of three rover guard battalions to push them back. Duc de Gramont, from Dettingen infamy, was killed by a shot from this. As the column rose slightly, the British brought a battery of twelve six-pound cannons to the front of the column at such close distances so that the Gardes FranÃÆ'§aises left their defensive positions supported against them. orders, as they did in Dettingen, and advanced, unsupported, in an attempt to take weapons. Both sides shoot at each other from close range. From Redoubt d'Eu and Fontenoy, the French cannon pours enormous flanking flames. All the rank of allies are wiped out, but they still progress perfectly as if paraded, better to develop cohesion and better to defeat their opponents. Saxe never believed that the allies would imagine or execute such maneuvers, and here is a weak point of his defense - the third fortress between Fontenoy and Redoubt of Eu would make allied advances impossible.
On getting the top of the ridge, the allied column finds itself facing the French infantry line. French guards rose and advanced toward the summit, where both troops faced each other at a distance of 30 steps. The moment was immortalized by Lord Charles Hay of the First Guard Regiment who later wrote that he stepped forward, pulled out the hip tub and drank vigorously, shouting to his opponent, "We are the English Guards, and we hope you will stand until we come to you , and do not swim Scheldt as you do Main in Dettingen. "He then leads his men in three cheers. The Voltaire version of this famous episode has become a saying. He wrote: "British officers salute the French by removing their caps... the French, replying to the greeting, my lord Charles Hai, the captain of the British Guard, exclaims, 'Gentlemen of the French Guards, fire.' The Comte d'Auteroche, who later became a lieutenant from Grenadiers, shouted, 'Gentlemen, we never shot first, shoot ourselves.' "France was the first to shoot, the volley was somewhat ineffective but threw the Third Guard into confusion and wounded George. Churchill, commander of the bodyguard brigade. Captain Lord Panmure leads the unbroken companies of the Third Bodyguard to the side of the First Guard. Until now, the English column had not fired a shotgun, but now the allied infantry pours waste into France. Volley of musketry with battalion weapons sent many rounds of grape-shot, wiping out the front rank of ten French front battalions, killing and injuring between 700-800 people, breaking the Gardes FranÃÆ'§aises while Gardes Suisses and the four battalions of the Aubeterre Brigade were pushed back by the British advance.
Historian David Chandler writes that on the order of "first, cautious shootings", in the British platoon shooting system, six first shot shots with all the front rank of each British battalion were fired - explaining the power of England's first volley. In addition, Chandler describes the progress as well as the British development of the platoon firing system in which troops advance the onslaught forward to provide fire by stepping out of the rest of the battalion lined up, as they finish and reloading another platoon forward in front of them and giving the fire in turn. This explains the slow progress of the columns recorded in many first-hand accounts.
France is now facing an unexpected crisis. Although allied attacks on Fontenoy have failed, the second line commander of the French center has sent many of these lines to support the brigade at Fontenoy so now there is no infantry support line behind the part of the line previously held by Gardes FranÃÆ'§aises and the British Guard advanced deep into this gap.
Saxe was still seriously ill on the day of the battle and had spent the early part of the engagement in his wicker carriage. At the time of British-Hanoverian progress, however, he had mounted his horse and, in spite of extreme pain, directed French action in private. The Saxe now commanded cavalry troops to attack the advancing enemy, but they also retreated, damaged by the devastating gunfire. From his point of view near Notre Dame de Bois, Louis XV, attended by Dauphin, Noailles, Duke of Richelieu, and Louis XV war minister, Marquis d'Argenson, watched his best infantry fall back in chaos. Sure done, Noailles begs the King to seek salvation; but the Saxe assured him that the battle was not lost. With his challenging vow that "We must all win or die together", the French commander went to restore order up front. The king stayed.
Now the ally's legs had broken through the French line for 300 yards, and entered the French camp. However, the incessant fire from the sides - from Fontenoy and Redoubt of Eu - followed by constant cavalry and infantry attacks, has caused the British and Hanoveri infantry to produce land, forcing them slowly back to the top of the plateau. Attempting to restore order, Cumberland personally urges and inspires his men, stops their retreats, unites them with a cry:
"Do not you know me as my countryman? Will you leave me? I do not ask you to do anything without me: all I ask is to share my danger."
Newly encouraged, the allies once again begin to move forward. However, gradually, the French attack has brought changes in the column formation. The wings of the lines had been twisted on both sides to face the enemy to their left and right, thus forming a blank three-sided rectangle, where the Saxe now cast both cavalry lines. The Maison du Roi Brigade, the carabiniers, the gendarmerie, the best cavalry from France, attack and attack again, but every time it is pushed back by steady discipline and British infantry fire. The Vaisseaux regiment, Hainault, Normandie, and part of the Irish Brigade, were all beaten back. Ligonier then noted, "After getting orders to make a second attempt, our troops... for the second time make enemies surrender, and they are once again pushed as far as their camp with the loss of many people, which we also feel on our side."
Final counter-attack France
After allied efforts on the left failed, France increasingly focused on the British infantry, and when retreating from the Netherlands all the weapons from Fontenoy had been turned on to confront the Cumberland people. The English and Hanover themselves ignored the opportunity to attack Fontenoy on the uncultured side with French guns, either by gunshot or out of ammunition, a task much easier than the Dutch faced. The garrison of Tournai is dominated by French besiegers.
Although the constant accusations of French cavalry have been thrown back, their persistence has finally reached the goal of Saxe: they make time for infantry brigades to make renewal. Long after the battle, Saxe justified his tactics of writing:
The "square" hollow re-developed several hundred meters beyond the floating battery, but Cumberland has become increasingly isolated in the center with its shrunken mass from the British and Hanover infantry. The Allies grew doubtful. LÃÆ'¶wendahl saw the real situation, and rushed to meet with Saxe. "Well, Monsieur le marÃÆ' Â © chal, this is a great day for Your Highness, these people will never get out of such repairs." After a council with Louis XV was decided to unite all available powers, and at around 2pm, the Saxe made a last-ditch attempt to wipe out the enemy. Four pieces of backup artillery, filled with wine shots, were brought into action, and every available regiment was deployed. Saxe collected six Irish battalions from "Wild Swan" which was supported by the remnants of Vaisseaux and Normandie for the final attack and threw themselves into the attack with wild Gaelic shouts. " Cuimhnigidh ar Luimnech agus feall na Sassonach! " - "Remember Limerick and Saxon Perfidy". The Irish Brigade, as a brigade, will suffer the heaviest overall casualty on the French side, losing 656 people including a quarter of their officers. Sergeant Wheelock of Bulkeley captured a color and an attack from Ireland forced the British Guard to retire. The simultaneous attacks on the left are allied by all regiments that have faced the Netherlands between Fontenoy and Antoing. Meanwhile, the French Guard, now headed by the Comte de Chabannes, is desperate for revenge, with the bayonet still firing at the front so close that fire is exchanged snout into its snout. As Saxe and LÃÆ'¶wendahl led the infantry, D'EstrÃÆ' Â © es, and Richelieu brought the entire Cavalry Household. Fighting is very close and deadly, some British regiments lose half their strength like the Royal Welch Fusiliers who lost 322 troops, more than 200 killed, while the British Guard brigade suffered more than 700 casualties. The French counterattack finally stopped and then beat back the English column, taking the field.
Allied crack
The initial disturbance of the allied column was immediately checked when each battalion gathered around its color; compact formations restored, and the British and Hanoverians completed their retreats well. Attacked from three sides of the allies make a combat withdrawal - a back row of columns facing at measured intervals to shoot their pursuers. Ligonier makes provision for closing the retreat. Skelton (32nd) and Cholmondeley's (34) formed the back row, Buffs was ordered to roll out the church's yard, while fences and ravines were lined with Black Watch. On both sides the British cavalry closes to form a screen for infantry - the Imperial Horse Guards forward primarily distinguish themselves. The army reformed behind Vezon, before retreating at Ath. Upon reaching salvation Ath, Cumberland shed tears due to his disappointment over defeat and a large number of cost-defeating lives.
Saxe was blamed by "carpet generals" for stopping a 100-yard chase from the battlefield and not turning the defeat of allies into defeat. But the enemy is not, even now, lacking discipline or morals, and the allied cavalry is finally handled well. He then explains that while the allied cavalry is still relatively intact, his forces have been destroyed. After that he gave his reason not to pursue further allies - "Because we have enough, I think only to restore the troops involved in the attack." As Louis XV rose to congratulate his commanding officer for avenging Poitiers, the Saxe personal guard helped the sick Marshal to his horse to meet and embrace his sovereignty.
Aftermath
Although the details have not been established yet, the casualty figures are very high for both sides: France with at least 7,000 people dead and wounded; an estimated ally 10,000 to 12,000. This level of casualties was the highest in Western Europe since the Battle of Malplaquet in 1709 during the Spanish War of Succession during the reign of Louis XIV, where, as a 13-year-old boy, Saxe personally witnessed the massacre. After observing the field, Louis XV told his son, Dauphin, Louis-Ferdinand "See how much blood to pay, the blood of our enemy is still the blood of man." The real glory is to save him. " Kneeling in front of his king after the battle, Saxe commented, "Sire, now you see what war means." Nevertheless, he is grateful to receive a letter from Louis XV in recognition of his services. "If I owe this victory to the courage of my troops... you also contribute no less to your courageous courage, to your wise counselors and to your great care." Saxe wrote to his brother, King Augustus III, in Dresden, "" The engagement lasted nine hours and although I was half-dead towards the end, I held back my fatigue as if I were in perfect health. Very sweet to win the battle... "
Louis XV devoted many prizes to the Saxe, including the Royal ChÃÆ'Â ¢ teau de Chambord, since the Saxe had been present where necessary, in spite of his debilitating illness, to deal with any battle crisis of gathering troops, directing and leading the reserves, encouraging the King and counseling with officer. With his victory at Fontenoy, Saxe will become the great hero of Frederick the Great of Prussia, his ally, and will visit Frederick at Sanssouci in 1746.
For allies there are allegations with the Netherlands getting most of the errors in the English account without explanation as to why the Hanoverian progress at Fontenoy failed to happen. However, Cumberland's official report praised his fellow commander, KÃÆ'¶nigsegg, who, fighting between the first and second lines of the infantry "was present on the horse during all the action, and gave his command very calmly." Cumberland was universally praised for his courage, but also criticized for his generals, especially for ignoring Woods Barry at the start of the battle or for building an adequate intelligence system, a failure that gave Saxe enough time to prepare for the position. He failed to make his orders clear and Ingolby's doubts to the allied party were partly due to taking conflicting orders. Ingolsby is a court-martialled on charges of 'That he receives an order from Duke to attack a fort or battery in the last act near Fontenoy, who orders him not to execute'. Allegations of command disobedience are found to be evident. Ingolby argues that she has been harassed by inconsistent orders, deeply influenced by evidence, and she is released on cowardly charges. The Court concludes that its failure arises "from misjudgment, and not from courage." He was suspended from service and allowed to sell.
Cumberland failed to exploit his cavalry effectively. He was so engrossed with infantry attacks that he left his horse regiment behind until the time for useful action had passed. As a result, Duke does not rely on maneuver but on strength; it is a direct approach that has become a victim of the exploitation of Saxe wise over its defensive position. Moreover, with Cumberland at the head of the allied column he was not in a position to exploit his own attacks through efforts elsewhere: he could not prevent the French concentrating on his column because he behaved more like a battalion commander than the captain-general.. Although British leadership was found to be lacking, the superior discipline of the British infantry showed that however French infantry had risen under the leadership of Saxe, France could not match the best that England could do in the field. Fontenoy dispelled the idea of ​​British military superiority held in Europe since Marlborough and demonstrated the superiority of the French battlefield over England and their allies.
French Benefits
The victory was followed by France's rapid progress. Without hope of relief, Tournai surrendered to the Saxe on 21 May and Tournai's fortress surrendered on 20 June. After Moltke's rejection at Melle, Ghent's capture occurred in mid-July with a large amount of supplies and materials along with his garrison of 2,200 Dutch troops; and about 700 British troops. The allied field troops, now reduced to 35,000, are less than half the number of French and they fall back to Diegem around Brussels. Bruges and Oudenarde soon surrendered, and by the end of July, France stood on the verge of Zeeland, the southwest corner of the Dutch Republic.
In addition, de Saxe's victory over Britain inspired the appearance of the second Jacob, Forty-Five, under the Young Sufferer, Bonnie Prince Charlie. Charles, with a small army, returned to Scotland and invaded England. He has several reasons to believe in his eventual success because all but 8,000 British troops are in the continent and recently defeated at Fontenoy. Charles's return to Scotland combined with a stunning victory at the Battle of Prestonpans required Cumberland to pull his troops back to England to confront the Jacobite invasion. The British government is very concerned about developments in Flanders but the military wave has turned favorable to France. Dendermonde and Ostend's vital port, where one British Foot Guard battalion and a 4,000 garrison fell to French troops in August, and Nieuport in early September. The only good news for England came in North America when William Pepperrell captured Louisbourg's main French castle at Cape Breton in late June.
Within three months, the Saxe had reached its grand design: it had built itself on the edge of the English Channel and the Scheldt River. England is close to ostracism from mainland Europe, and will find it difficult to make contact with its continental allies. With the capitulation of Ath in early October France controlled most of the Austrian Netherlands. Saxe, now upgraded to a hero in his adopted country, immediately threatened Brussels and Antwerp.
The historian Reed Browning describes the influence of the French victory at Fontenoy as follows: "The margin of victory is narrow, the fruit is still abundant." Napoleon then declared that the victory at Fontenoy extends the monarchy of Ancien RÃÆ' Â © gime in France for 30 years.
In popular culture
Doctor Livesey, a character at Robert Louis Stevenson Treasure Island, is said to have been in the Battle of Fontenoy a few years before the plot of the book took place, and there are several references to his whereabouts there throughout the Book.
Jacques, the title character of Denis Diderot Jacques the Fatalist , is said to have been badly injured on the knee while serving in the French army at the Battle of Fontenoy. His recovery from the wound made him meet the woman he loved, a story he tried to convey to his teacher throughout the book, only to be constantly distracted.
The Battle of Fontenoy made an appearance on the 2009 Empire: Total War videogame as a playable scenario.
The Battle of Fontenoy is the central storyline of the Irish primadona novel starring Liam Mac CÃÆ'³il Fontenoy (Leabhar Breac, 2005).
Source of the article : Wikipedia
0 Comments