17,000 men, 33 cannons 14,000 men Result French victory | Date 14 October 1702 | |
 | ||
1703 killed, 2601 wounded 3000 killed, 742 wounded Location Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany Combatants Holy Roman Empire, Early modern France Similar Battle of Calcinato, Battle of Luzzara, Battle of Carpi, Battle of Cremona, Battle of Schellenberg | ||
Battle of friedlingen
The Battle of Friedlingen was fought in 1702 between France and the Holy Roman Empire. The Imperial forces were led by Louis William, Margrave of Baden-Baden, while the French were led by Claude Louis Hector de Villars. The French were victorious.
Contents
Prelude
The French were seeking to expand their influence on the eastern bank of the river Rhine. In the autumn of 1702, Villars received orders from Louis XIV to attack Swabia. The French forces needed to join their Bavarian allies and defeat the Imperial troops that stood between them.
Battle
The French crossed the Rhine at Weil am Rhein, just north of Basle on 14 October 1702. Villars attacked the Imperial army at Friedlingen. The future field marshal Louis William entrenched his army and managed to hold the French for some time. He then retreated in good order to the North.
Aftermath
It was a Pyrrhic victory for Villars. French losses were high: 1,703 dead and 2,601 wounded, whereas the Imperial forces lost 3,000 dead and 742 wounded. Villars was also prevented from joining the Bavarians.
The villages on the eastern bank of the Rhine suffered much damage, especially Weil am Rhein.