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1704 brought a decided superiority to the Allied cause. Marlborough assumed complete control of the Allied armies, and maneuvered skillfully around French positions. Dutch and English troops advanced southward into Germany, much to Dutch chagrin, though this move proved successful. Eugene of Savoy invaded northward from Italy to cut off the combined French and Bavarian army. To this point, France was putting Vienna under direct threat, yet Marlborough’s quick thinking brought France into battle, which ultimately saved Vienna.
Marlborough realized the dire situation. He wanted to move a combined allied force against the French, but the Dutch were reluctant. Marlborough then undertook a campaign that was as skillful as it was duplicitous. The Netherlands was well known for not sending armies too far outside her own borders. Such a legacy actually helped Marlborough in the end. He began making and carrying out plans to move southward along the Moselle river. French troops under Marechal Villars kept pace with the Allied force, but did not attack. Marlborough kept his plans a secret, because he knew they’d be rejected. After a few days marching, Marlborough reached the Rhine, where it was assumed that he’d attack the French. Instead Marlborough crossed the Rhine into Germany. France now believed that Alsace was in danger. While the French waited, Marlborough added 5,000 more troops to an ever growing army that started at 26,000 and was now well over 40,000. Marlborough also created a diversionary tactic based upon French fears. He set about making bridges and siege works in a feint against Phillipsburg. The French took the bait. France’s ostensible confusion proved disastrous. The Dutch were now very convinced that Marlborough’s plan was correct. They sent more aid, as did the Danish. The combined force then moved into position to protect Vienna by June 1704. Five weeks was all that Marlborough needed to outmaneuver both politicians and generals. Five weeks was all he needed to move and expand an army. Five weeks was all it took for that army to move 250 miles. By all accounts, this was an astonishing undertaking, but this was only the beginning.
Marlborough met with his other commanders, Prince Eugene and Louis of Baden, to create a plan. They had 110,000 men at their disposal to stop the French advance on Vienna. Eugene took 28,000 to check Villeroi and Tallard, the French commanders. The remaining 80,000 combined to form one army, and marched against Bavarian positions. With Bavaria in danger, the French had to change plans, but this was to prove dangerously inept. French communications were faulty at best, and foolish at worst. All decisions had to pass through Louis in Versailles, which would take a long time. Word came three weeks after a decision should have been made. The French were to reinforce their Bavarian allies if need be, but be sure to defend Alsace as well. Both armies now postured for conflict. Marlborough needed better circumstances, so he successfully invaded Schellenberg, though incurring heavy casualties. France could have gained an upper hand at this point, but infighting and dallying disrupted any French offensive. French movements simply could not maintain Marlborough’s pace, and equipment, horses, and men broke down.
Further problems such as the peasantry and poor decisions plagued the French. Marlborough then undertook a scorched-earth policy, which deprived the French of food. Maneuvering was now complete, and Marlborough drew France into battle by August. Both armies now stood glaring at one another across the Danube River near Rain. The Franco-Bavarians made the first move as they crossed the river on August 9. 56,000 Franco-Bavarians marched toward 52,000 Allied troops outside of Hochstadt, near Blenheim. Marlborough knew the moment was right, and he was ready.
Across four miles of forest, towns, and farms, battle erupted on August 13. Marlborough assaulted Tallard, while Prince Eugene diverted the French general Marsin. A third force moved on Blenheim, which was left virtually undefended. French leaders panicked, and made an immense blunder by deploying forward troops against the English at Blenheim. Chaos ensued as too many soldiers stampeded one another. Fierce resistance broke when Marlborough commanded Blenheim to be surrounded, and a final assault was made. Thousands were captured as Blenheim fell.
While Blenheim was being taken, Prince Eugene was suffering. He was being hounded by Marsin at Lutzingen. However, aid soon arrived from Danish and German troops, which allowed Eugene to make a victorious assault on French artillery and infantry. Regardless, the French held out, and forced Prince Eugene back in disarray. Though Eugene was proving unsuccessful, Marlborough’s campaign bore much different fruit. He crossed the Nebel river, and absorbed a French offensive. The English forcefully moved the French back, and created confusion among the French ranks. French troops then fled the battlefield. French cavalry, however, halted further Allied success. Yet, during this action Marlborough’s genius plan proved itself. In the face of fleeing troops, Tallard sought reinforcements. None could be found, as Eugene, though unsuccessful, and Blenheim falling, Tallard was left with a small force against Marlborough’s main assault. Disaster quickly engulfed the Franco-Bavarians. The new danger caused the French to release Prince Eugene’s conflict for Marlborough’s offensive. Eugene and his other detachments maneuvered in position to surround the French. Artillery under Colonel Blood joined the battle, and pounded the French position mercilessly. French ranks remained firm, but were cut to shreds. They could no longer endure the struggle, and by 5:30 in the afternoon collapsed under pressure. Now in full retreat, the French were destroyed almost to a man. Those who escaped drowned while trying to cross the Danube to safety. Marechal Tallard was also captured while such mayhem ended any French defense. Lutzingen soon fell, though the remaining defenders fought valiantly. Blenheim also remained brave, but capitulated by nightfall.
Marlborough was hugely successful. He proved himself more than able, a genius. His actions saved Vienna, and subsequently knocked Bavaria out of the war. He wrote a hasty note to his wife, who was a close friend of Queen Anne, to declare victory. France lost a commander, Tallard, and more than 30,000 men. Louis was forced to admit defeat, a hard prospect for the aging, proud monarch. Marlborough followed this great victory by capturing more towns along the Rhine, Danube, and Moselle Rivers. He desired to bring the war to France, but had to break the French ring of fortresses first. Marlborough’s actions turned the war on its head, and left Louis reeling for the next five years, as will be detailed.
armchaircapitalist 