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France, though already involved on a limited scale, became completely embroiled in Europe’s expanding war. Frederick II needed help against Austria’s successful backlash. Louis XV was certainly up for the cause against his generational enemy. France and Prussia agreed a new, more encompassing treaty. War against Austria was promptly declared in 1744, which not only added to Austria’s foes, but also to her friends, as Great Britain came to Austria’s aid.
French officers designed a plan to knock England out of the war early, and then punish Austrian intransigence. A new Jacobite uprising was to be sent into England, and James Stuart – another Stuart claimant – was to be installed as King of England. Typical of so many other invasion attempts, weather played an imposing role. Cataclysmic storms destroyed much of the landing craft, and many lives were lost in the Channel. Further plans to invade were scrapped, and France turned to the eastern front. Louis XV personally commanded 90,000 men, who were to invade Belgium. French aggression was successful, and Ypres as well as well as Menin fell to Louis XV. From this point in 1744, both armies tried to outmaneuver one another. The British Alliance (Britain, the Netherlands, Hannover, Austria, and other lesser German provinces) gained an upper hand when Prince Charles advanced upon Phillipsburg, and cut off the new Marechal Coigny’s supplies. Marechal Coigny responded in kind, and fought through the British Alliance’s lines toward Strasbourg. Louis XV, realizing what was taking place along the Rhine river, broke from attempting to invade Belgium. In a coordinated effort, Louis XV and Frederick II marched into the Alsace-Lorraine region. Austria was severely stretched beyond military limits, and could not oppose the Prussian march. Frederick II captured Prague by September 1744.
Maria Theresa again employed emotional panic to raise a much needed army. A second Hungarian insurrection accompanied with Austrian diplomacy raised both defensive as well as offensive forces. Saxony switched alliances and joined Austria. Meanwhile, Prince Charles shrank from French power, but was spared casualty, because of the debacle at Metz regarding Louis XV’s illness and his mistress, Madame de Chateauroux. Frederick tried to shadow Prince Charles, but his attempts overextended the Prussian position. Hungarian insurrectionists inflicted a number of minor defeats against the Prussian King, who fell back upon Prague. By the time Frederick had reached Prague, Prince Charles rejoined battle and surrounded Frederick’s position. Frederick had to surrender Prague, as the Prussians retreated back into Silesia late in 1744. France finally stabilized enough to capture Freiburg, and attempt another Belgian invasion. The next year, 1745, was to be an eventful one, full of major engagements.
armchaircapitalist 