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Difference between revisions of "1758 - Allied campaign on the west bank of the Rhine"
(Added locations identified by Boris Brink)
(Added info from the work of the Grosser Generalstab)
By May, the Saxon contingent destined to join the French armies had completed its equipment in Vienna and then moved to Linz. Saxon regiments swore allegiance to Maria Theresa and [[Louis XV]].
On May 6, [[Wilhelm VIII|Landgrave Wilhelm VIII]] of Hesse-Kassel set off from Hamburg, where he had taken refuge during the Summer of 1757, to return to Cassel. Upon arrival in his principality, he immediately started to assemble a corps for its defence, recalling a dragoon rgt and a detachment of [[Hesse-Kassel Hussars|Hessian Hussars]] previously stationed in the Fortress of Rheinfels on the Rhine. Great Britain contributed 80,000 £ for the creation of this Hessian Corps.
On May 6, [[Wilhelm VIII|Landgrave Wilhelm VIII]] of Hesse-Kassel set off from Hamburg, where he had taken refuge during the Summer of 1757, to return to Kassel. Upon arrival in his principality, he immediately started to assemble a corps for its defence, recalling a dragoon rgt and a detachment of [[Hesse-Kassel Hussars|Hessian Hussars]] previously stationed in the Fortress of Rheinfels on the Rhine. Great Britain contributed 80,000 £ for the creation of this Hessian Corps.
On May 9, as requested by the Landgrave of Hesse, Ferdinand sent him the Lieutenant-General Prince Ysenburg with 2 Hessian bns ([[Prinz Ysenburg Infantry|Prinz Ysenburg]] and [[Canitz Infantry|Canitz]]) along with the 2 sqns of [[Pruschenk Cavalry]] and some artillery to Marburg. Prince Ysenburg was charged to organize the defence of Hesse against Soubise's army.
Mid May
*Allies
**With the Dutch alliance more uncertain, King George II, King Frederick II and Duke Ferdinand started to work on a plan to cross on the left bank of the Rhine in June. This plan called for the concentration of the Allied army in two corps near Koesfeld and Dülmen on May 26; then on May 30 2,000 men would advanced from Dülmen, cross the Rhine near Duisburg and make a demonstration against Düsseldorf; in the following night, 2,000 men would advance from Koesfeld and cross the Rhine on boats near Emmerich; the rest of the army would follow on June 1. By capturing Kleve and threatening Düsseldorf, Ferdinand hoped to induce the French to evacuate Wesel.
**With the Dutch alliance more uncertain, King George II, King Frederick II and Duke Ferdinand started to work on a plan to cross on the left bank of the Rhine in June. This plan called for the concentration of the Allied army in two corps near Coesfeld and Dülmen on May 26; then on May 30 2,000 men would advanced from Dülmen, cross the Rhine near Duisburg and make a demonstration against Düsseldorf; in the following night, 2,000 men would advance from Koesfeld and cross the Rhine on boats near Emmerich; the rest of the army would follow on June 1. By capturing Kleve and threatening Düsseldorf, Ferdinand hoped to induce the French to evacuate Wesel.
**The [[Scheither Light Troops]] were raised. They initially counted 400 men.
*French
**Wutginau reached Ringenberg with part of Spörcken's Corps.
In the first days of June, the Hessian Corps of Prince Ysenburg assembled in the vicinity of Cassel.
In the first days of June, the Hessian Corps of Prince Ysenburg assembled in the vicinity of Kassel.
On June 1
**Ferninand's Army advanced southwestwards to Aldekerk. A vanguard under the Prince of Holstein-Gottorp was sent to Hüls to observe the French at Krefeld. If the French resumed their retreat, Ferdinand intended to move closer to the Meuse and thus obtain an easier line of supply for his army.
**After much hesitations, Clermont suddenly decided to march to the enemy and to offer battle. Belle-Isle had been urging him since many days to accept a battle. Clermont had just received a new letter from Belle-Isle, reiterating his request based on the numerical superiority of the French army, the perilous situation of the Allies, their lack of food, and the mediocre leadership qualities of Ferdinand. Clermont was also expecting the arrival of the Württemberger Contingent (6,000 men).
**The departure of Soubise's Corps (24,000 men) for Bohemia was postponed to June 25.
**Scheiter's Corps and the hussars pursued the retiring French army along the Rhine and seized the great magazines at Neuss soon after Clermont's departure.
**Ferdinand encamped near Krefeld. The tents, which had been left behind at Kempen, were transported to Krefeld.
**Major-General Wangenheim was advanced with 4 bns and 4 sqns to Osterath to support the Allied light troops pursuing the French.
**Ferdinand detached Major-General Wangenheim with 4 bns and 4 sqns to Osterath to support the Allied light troops pursuing the French.
On June 25
**The Allies sang a ''Te Deum'' on the battlefield and made a bonfire. Ferdinand gave a pair of French kettle-drums to the Hanoverian artillery for its gallant behaviour.
**Wangenheim's detachment arrived at Neuss after marching by way of Osterath.
**After his defeat at Krefeld, Clermont was immediately dismissed and replaced by [[Contades, Louis Georges Érasme, Marquis de|Contades]].
**Clermont's Army set off from Neuss.
The French army being near its own frontier was soon strongly reinforced. It was rapidly able to oppose the Allied army defensively. Furthermore, Soubise, with his 24,000 men, was recalled from the Hanau-Frankfurt country and received instructions to invade Hanover. The French hoped that this offensive would induce Ferdinand to recross the Rhine. Contades soon reorganised his army which counted some 80,000 men.
**Wangenheim's detachment advanced to Neuss while the Allied army advanced to Osterath. The Hereditary Prince was left behind at Krefeld wit 6 bns and 10 sqns. The French magazine at Neuss had been partly destroyed but considerable quantity of flour and oats were captured.
**The Allied army advanced to Osterath. The Hereditary Prince was left behind at Krefeld wit 6 bns and 10 sqns. The French magazine at Neuss had been partly destroyed but considerable quantity of flour and oats were captured.
**Scheiter's corps recrossed the Rhine to blockade Düsseldorf.
**The Allied headquarters were established at Neuss to cover the siege of Osterath.
**The Allied headquarters were established at Neuss.
**The Hereditary Prince was detached with 6 bns and 6 sqns to secure the Meuse by capturing Roermond.
**Ferdinand marched from Krefeld to Osterath with the main body of his army and laid siege to the place. He would remain there until July 1.
**Holstein-Gottorp marched to Gladbach with 13 sqns, advancing against the Duchy of Jülich and putting the surrounding country to contribution.
**From Osterath, Ferdinand detached Colonel Colignon and Major Jeanneret at the head of 800 light cavalry to the Meuse to raise contributions (money and provisions) on both banks of the river.
**The Hereditary Prince was detached with 6 bns and 6 sqns and a few guns to secure the Meuse by capturing Roermond. The same day, he reached Roermond.
**Wangenheim's Corps recrossed the Rhine to reinforce the blockade of Düsseldorf.
**Ferdinand also sent a reinforcement of 2 bns and 2 sqns to Wangenheim.
**The Duke of Holstein-Gottorp marched to the vicinity of München-Gladbach with 13 sqns, advancing against the Duchy of Jülich and putting the surrounding country to contribution. He intended to effect a junction with the corps of the Hereditary Prince.
**Four Allied batteries opened on Düsseldorf.
**Wagenheim started to bombard Düsseldorf with 6 guns and 4 mortars. He had sent the [[Scheither Light Troops]] to the right bank of the Rhine to cut communication between the city and Clermont's Army. The 6,000 men strong garrison of Düsseldorf consisted of 10 Palatine bns and 4 French bns under the command of General Isselbach. Wangenheim agreed to a cease fire while Isselbach consulted the Elector at Mannheim.
**The Hereditary Prince took possession of Roermond which was previously occupied by 1 bn of [[La Marche Infanterie]], 2 militia bns and some [[Volontaires du Hainaut]] under the command of M. de Boccard. The garrison obtained the honours of war and retired to Liège.
**The Hereditary Prince bombarded Roermond during two hours. The garrison (1 bn of [[La Marche Infanterie]], 2 militia bns and some [[Volontaires du Hainaut]] under the command of M. de Boccard) then capitulated under condition of free withdrawal to Liège where their arrival caused great confusion among the recruits assembled there for Clermont's Army.
**Clermont's Army reached Cologne where it encamped to the northwest of the city. A few detachments, deployed along the Erft, secured the camp. Several French generals, including Mortaigne and [[Contades, Louis Georges Érasme, Marquis de|Contades]], were dissatisfied by Clermont's indecisiveness and some of them departed for Paris to issue formal complaints.
**Clermont believed that the Allies would be heading for the Meuse and Flanders. He asked Versailles for instructions.
**The French evacuated their sick and wounded in boats up the Rhine to Andernach.
**The French were busy building bridges on the Rhine between Deutz and Mülheim a few kilometers upstream of Cologne. They also seized the guns in the arsenal of Cologne.
**Orders were sent to Clermont from Paris to announced him that he would be replaced as commander-in-chief.
After the capture of Roermond, the Hereditary Prince advanced up to Wassenberg where he made a junction with Holstein-Gottorp. They had to oppose to any French enterprise against the Meuse and to cover the Allies right flank.
On July 1, Belle-Isle instructed Clermont to remain at Cologne and to wait for the outcome of Soubise's operations against Hesse and Hanover which would threaten Ferdinand's line of communication with Münster.
On July 2
**Ferdinand encamped on the heights of St. Nicholas/Hausdik (''unidentified location'') to threaten the French left flank and to seize Jülich.
**Ferdinand advanced between St. Nicolas and Berdurdyk with the main body of his army to complete the encirclement of Düsseldorf. With Roermond in his hands, Ferdinand now instructed the Hereditary Prince to capture the Fortress of Jülich to cut Clermont from the Austrian Netherlands.
**The French advanced to the river Erft, establishing their headquarters at Kaster.
On July 3, as Clermont received the letter informing him that he was relieved from command, a new letter was sent from Paris giving command to General Marquis de Contades.
On July 5, the Hereditary Prince left a small garrison in Roermond and marched by Wassenberg to the vicinity of Titz, 10 km north of Jülich where his corps effected a junction with the 13 sqns of the Duke of Holstein. They had to oppose to any French enterprise against the Meuse and to cover the Allies right flank.
**Osterath surrendered to the Allies.
**The Hereditary Prince and Holstein's corps were posted at Titz about 5 km from Jülich.
**After sustaining a very severe bombardment, Düsseldorf surrendered. Its French garrison took the engagement not to serve against the Allies for one year.
**After sustaining a very severe bombardment, Düsseldorf capitulated and the garrison obtained free withdrawal, after taking the engagement not to serve against the Allies for one year. However, prior to the surrender of the city, the bridges over the Rhine had been broken and most of the ammunition and provisions had been thrown into the river. Ferdinand let 2 bns under Major-General von Hardenberg in the city and recalled the rest of Wangenheim's Corps to his main army.
**A large quantity of supply was captured in Düsseldorf. Ferdinand placed an Allied garrison (3 bns) in the city and threw a bridge of boats across the Rhine.
**Clermont quitted the army and Contades assumed command.
**The French garrison of Düsseldorf (2,000 men) marched out on honourable terms.
**The main Allied army advanced to Grevenbroich.
**Another Allied corps blockaded Wesel garrisoned by 4,500 French.
**Another Allied corps blockaded Wesel which was garrisoned by 4,500 French.
**The French still occupied Geldern, hindering the movements of the Allied army.
On July 10, Ferdinand moved his main army closer to the Erft, to the west of Grevenbroich where he was determined to accept battle.
**The corps of the Hereditary Prince and Holstein-Gottorp crossed the Erft river.
**Contades' Army left its camp at Cologne and encamped at Bedburg.
**Contades left its camp at Cologne, reinforced by the former garrison of Düsseldorf. His army marched in the direction of Grevenbroich on the Erft to stop the advance of the Allies. He reached Fliesteden.
**In the evening, Ferdinand was informed of the advance of Contades' Army towards his positions. He had to abandon his design against Jülich and recalled the corps of the Hereditary Prince which was posted at Kirchherten, 11 km to the southwest of Grevenbroich and Holstein's cavalry which was posted at Titz. He planned to wait for the arrival of the British contingent before offering battle.
On the night of July 13 to 14, the Hereditary Prince's Corps and Holstein's cavalry crossed the Erft and occupied the heights before the French could do so. Around midnight the main body of the Allied army set off in three columns and crossed the Erft upstream and downstream from Grevenbroich. The bridge in the middle collapsed under the weight of a heavy gun. Since it could not be quickly repaired, the artillery and the middle column lost time before finally crossing the river further north at Wevelinghoven. Ferdinand let his troops take position on the heights between Welchenberg and Allrath.
**In the morning, the French vanguard made itself master of the passage of Pfaffenmütze on the Erft near Neubrück which had, by mistake, been left insufficiently defended.
**Around noon, Contades' vanguard (his cavalry and 20 bns) reached the Gommershoven, to the northeast of Bedburg. From there, one could see Allied troops on the height of the Welchenberg, 4 km away. Contades ordered his vanguard to halt and then marched with the main body to join it. A battle seemed unavoidable.
**[[Chevert, François de|Lieutenant-General Chevert]] urged Contades to attack the Allies but the latter decided to postpone the battle to the next day.
**Ferdinand also crossed the Erft, intending to surprise Contades on the march. The roads were almost impracticable because of the heavy rain of the last days. The two armies drew their lines. However, the French army was too well encamped and Ferdinand did not engage it.
**After crossing the Erft, Ferdinand intended to surprise Contades on the march. However, the roads were almost impracticable because of the heavy rain of the last days.
**Ferdinand gave orders to the Duke of Holstein's cavalry, which was posted on his right wing to advance and occupy the heights while his army would follow. Ferdinand personally rode with a few sqns to reconnoitre. As he got close to the height of Gommershoven, he saw some cavalry units. He decided to immediately attack them. He tried to locate Holstein's cavalry but it had not yet reached its new positions. Meanwhile, new French units reinforced the vanguard at Gommershoven. Finally, Ferdinand canceled the attack but remained in order of battle a few km in front of Contades' Army.
**Around 11:00 p.m., Ferdinand retired towards Neuss.
**Ferdinand repassed the Erft and marched towards Neuss.
**As Contades prepared to give battle, he realised that Ferdinand's Army had already retired.
**The corps of the [[Armentières, Louis de Conflans, Marquis d'|Marquis d'Armentières]] pursued the retiring Allies but was repulsed.
**In the morning, Ferdinand's Army crossed the Erft unmolested to the southwest of Neuss and encamped near this town.
On July 16, Ferdinand encamped at Neuss. He then extended his right wing to prevent any enterprise against the Meuse.
On the night of July 16 to 17, Ferdinand marched towards the passage of Pfaffenmütze with a few bns and 4 artillery pieces.
On July 18 around 3:00 p.m., the Allies evacuated Roermond and marched towards Dülken.
**At daybreak, Ferdinand ordered the Hereditary Prince to recapture the passage of Pfaffenmütze. The position was rapidly taken, thus depriving the French from an easy passage across the Erft to renew their attack against the Allies.
**Light troops were sent across the Erft to harass the camp of the Allies while the main body of Contades' Army retired to the positions of Grevenbroich which had been evacuated by the Allies two days before.
**Around 3:00 p.m., the Allies evacuated Roermond and marched towards Dülken.
**In the evening, Ferdinand decided to make a new attempt to engage battle against Contades' Army near Grevenbroich.
**Ferdinand moved his headquarters to Bedburdyck on the left bank of the Erft with his right wing on the height of this village and his left wing near Neubrück. Strong detachments occupied the crossings of the Erft downstream towards Neuss.
**The advanced guard led by the Hereditary Prince engaged a large French detachment. The Allies finally forced this detachment to retired, capturing 5 guns, 4 standards and several prisoners.
**Ferdinand then resolved to move closer to the Meuse to ease the supply of his army. Before doing so, he sent a reinforcement of 2,000 men (regulars and light troops) to the garrison of Düsseldorf which would be quite isolated, and detached Colonel Linstow with 8 grenadier coys to recapture Roermond.
**A British contingent destined to reinforce the Allied army embarked at Gravesend. Indeed, the successes of Frederick II at Rossbach during the previous year and those of Ferdinand in Hanover since January had enticed the British government to send these reinforcements. This British contingent consisted of:
***Cavalry
***Artillery
****[[British Royal Regiment of Artillery|Royal Regiment of Artillery]] (2 coys)
**Ferdinand moved his headquarters to Bedburdyck on the left bank of the Erft. The advanced guard led by the Hereditary Prince engaged a large French detachment. The Allies finally forced this detachment to retired, capturing 5 guns, 4 standards and several prisoners.
**Ferdinand then resolved to move closer to the Meuse to ease the supply of his army. Before doing so, he sent a reinforcement of with 2,000 men (regulars and light troops) to the garrison of Düsseldorf which would be quite isolated, and detached Colonel Linstow with 8 grenadier coys to recapture Roermond.
**The French remained in their old camp at Frauweiler (a village which has disappeared in 1970 due to coal mining) on the other bank of the river.
In the night of July 24 to 25, the main Allied army force marched towards Wassenberg.
From July 20 to 24, Ferdinand remained in these positions between Bedburdyck and Neubrück. The garrison of Roermond was recalled. It brought back the content of the magazines of Roermond. During a reconnaissance, Ferdinand was slightly wounded and Contades despatched him his doctor. The situation in the Allied camp worsened day after day. It became increasingly difficult to get provisions form the country. Excluding the various detachments, Ferdinand's main army totalled only some 20,000 men. Ferdinand was informed that an Austro-French corps of 15,000 men was assembling in the Austrian Netherlands and was moving closer to the Meuse. News from Hesse were not better, with the capture of Marburg by Soubise's Army. Furthermore, British subsidies were delayed. Finally, Frederick was asking to send back the 15 Prussian sqns which were operating with the Allied army.
On July 22, Contades sent Lieutenant-General Chevert to Cologne with secret instructions to capture and destroy the bridges of the Allies on the Rhine near Düsseldorf and Rees.
**The main Allied army reached Wassenberg and encamped there less than 20 km to the south-east of Roermond.
**The main French army marched to Garzweiler near Titz.
On July 27, the main French army marched to Keyenberg at the source of the Niers.
Ferdinand managed to convince Frederick to let the 15 Prussian sqns continue their service with the Allies.
During this period, Contades resolved to attack Imhoff's Division which, from Mehr, was guarding the bridge at Rees. The task was assigned to [[Chevert, François de|Lieutenant-General Chevert]].
Ferdinand decided to recapture Roermond and then to draw his provisions from the region of the Meuse River. To do so, he planned to first advance to the Rur River and to cross it between Roermond and Jülich. However, he first had to force Contades to retire from the Erft towards Cologne.
On July 24, Ferdinand sent out several detachments. One of these detachments re-occupied Roermond.
On the night of July 24 to 25, Ferdinand's main body marched unnoticed from its positions between Bedburdyck and Neubrück, force marching towards Wassenberg on its way to Roermond.
On July 25, Ferdinand's main body reached Wassenberg on the Rur after a march of 28 km. Ferdinand was now at less than 20 km to the southeast of Roermond.
On July 26, Contades' Army crossed the Erft and advanced up to Garzweiler near Titz.
**Contades' Army marched to Holzweiler and Keyenberg at the source of the Niers.
**Ferdinand sent small detachments to the left bank of the Rur to observe the French.
**Ferdinand moved from Wassenberg closer to the Meuse and encamped between Roermond and Schwalm where he was informed of the defeat of Prince Ysenburg at [[1758-07-23 - Combat of Sandershausen|Sandershausen]]. Ferdinand immediately ordered the Hereditary Prince to dislodge the French from Brüggen.
**Ferdinand moved from Wassenberg closer to the Meuse and encamped between Roermond and Schwalm where he was informed of the defeat of Prince Ysenburg at the hands of Soubise at [[1758-07-23 - Combat of Sandershausen|Sandershausen]] near Kassel on July 23. Nevertheless, he resolved to remain in the region of the Meuse for as long as possible. He still hoped that, if the British reinforcements arrived in time, he could maintain his positions on the left bank of the Rhine.
**Ferdinand immediately ordered the Hereditary Prince to dislodge the French from Brüggen.
**The main French army encamped near Erkelenz. The Comte de Saint-Germain was detached with 30 grenadier coys and some cavalry to observe Ferdinand's movements. The French reserve under the command of the Duc de Chevreuse marched to Neuss.
**Contades' Army marched to Erkelenz, only 9 km from Ferdinand's camp at Wassenberg.
**From Wassenberg, Contades sent Comte de Saint-Germain with 30 grenadier coys and some cavalry to guard the passages over the Niers River down to Geldern, thus cutting Ferdinand's line of communication with the Rhine.
**The French reserve under the command of the Duc de Chevreuse marched to Neuss.
**Ferdinand sent his baggage forward towards Roermond.
**Ferdinand's Army marched to Roermond where it encamped.
**The Hereditary Prince took possession of Brüggen.
**Ferdinand also detached Wangenheim eastwards to make himself master of Brüggen on the Schwalm. However, a French detachment already occupied the town and Wangenheim halted at Elmpt.
On July 30, Chevert left Cologne, crossed the Rhine with 12 bns and 4 dragoon sqns near Düsseldorf and simulated preparations for the siege of this town.
**Contades still intended to cut the line of retreat of the Allies towards the Rhine. Accordingly, he advanced northwards from Erkelenz up to Rheindahlen. leaving a detachment at Wachtendonk to occupy the passage over the Niers.
**Chevert set off from Cologne with a force of approx. 4,500 men (8 bns, a few grenadier coys, 4 dragoon sqns, a few hussars and some artillery). He crossed the Rhine on his way to Düsseldorf.
**Ferdinand detached the Hereditary Prince with 6 bns and 6 sqns to reinforce Wangenheim at Elmpt. Wangenhein then dislodged the French from Brüggen and occupied the town. Ferdinand now had a line of communication along the Meuse to the Rhine.
**Ferdinand canceled his plan to send two large transports on the Meuse from Venlo with supplies for his army.
**Contades established his headquarters at Dalheim.
**Chevert appeared in front of Düsseldorf. He summoned the commandant of the place, General von Hardenberg, to surrender but the latter refused. Chevert then simulated preparations for the siege of this city.
**The lines of communication of the Allied army were now threatened. Ferdinand also feared for the isolated British contingent. Therefore, he resolved to march back to the Rhine.
**The lines of communication of the Allied army were now threatened. Ferdinand, who was already lacking provisions, heard about Chevert's attempt against Düsseldorf, he feared for his bridges and for the isolated British contingent . He resolved to offer battle.
By the end of July, Prince Xavier's Saxon contingent arrived at Strasbourg after marching from Linz by Braunau and Freising. This corps then proceeded to Andernach. Princess Maria Josepha of France, who had taken patronage of the contingent, sent 24 French guns as a gift to "her" corps.
**The British contingent arrived in Oldersum Bay 10 km above Emden.
During the night of August 1 to 2, Ferdinand marched towards Dülken and discovered that the French where advancing towards the same destination from Dalheim. However, Contades decided to retrace his steps to Dalheim rather than to risk a confrontation.
On the night of August 1 to 2, Ferdinand set off from Roermond, crossed the Schwalm and marched by Brüggen towards Dülken. The Allies discovered that the French where advancing towards the same destination from Dalheim. However, Contades decided to retrace his steps to Dalheim rather than to risk a confrontation.
On August 2
**Chevert was at Duisburg. He then turned right and crossed the Ruhr at Mülheim.
**While the Allies thought that Chevert was making preparations for the siege of Düsseldorf, he suddenly set off in the direction of Wesel. At Duisburg, he turned right and crossed the Ruhr at Mülheim.
**While Chevert was getting nearer his objective, Contades made an attempt to force Ferdinand to recross the Meuse. Accordingly, Contades left his camp at Erkelenz and moved to Dülmen. However, Ferdinand reacted swiftly and prevented the French from occupying Dulmen. Contades stopped at Gladbach.
**Contades' vanguard marched northwards from Rhein-Dahlen to Dülken.
**Imhoff recalled Zastrow and his 2 bns from the left bank of the Rhine. The latter had already assembled his small force at Rheinberg.
*Confrontation near Dülken
**The Allies bumped into Contades' vanguard to the southwest of Dülken and drove it back.
**Contades stopped at Gladbach. He was still unwilling to risk everything in a battle and retired to his previous positions on the Erft around Gommershoven.
**The Allies encamped on the heights near Dülken.
**Early in the morning, the Allies were under arms but when Ferdinand realised that Contades would not engage into a battle, resolved to move closer to the Rhine. His vanguard under the command of the Hereditary Prince left at noon and marched to Wachtendonk which was occupied by some 500 French. Wachtendonk was an unfortified town located on an island surrounded by the Niers. The Hereditary Prince entered the river and passed it with some grenadier coys who drove the French away at the point of the bayonet.
**Early in the morning, the Allies were under arms but when Ferdinand realised that Contades would not engage into a battle, with his provisions running low, he decided to retire towards his bridges on the Rhine.
**At sunset, the Allied army passed the bridge on the Niers at Wachtendonk. Holstein-Gottorp's Corps formed the rearguard of the Allied army.
**At 10:00 a.m., Ferdinand's Army retired to Kaldenkirchen in the direction of the Meuse River. The Hereditary Prince led the vanguard while the Duke of Holstein with his 15 Prussian sqns and the light cavalry covered the march. When he reached Kaldenkirchen, Ferdinand turned sharply northeastwards.
**In the evening, the Hereditary Prince reached Wachtendonk in the Niers Valley with the vanguard. The unfortified town, which was occupied by some 500 French,was easy to defend, being located on an island surrounded by the Niers. The grenadiers of the Allied vanguard advanced under the fire of the French defenders while the Hereditary Prince forded the Niers with a few grenadier coys. They were quickly followed by a party of Hessian dragoons. When the French realised that the Allies were also threatening their rear, they evacuated the town after having destroyed the bridges. Ferdinand had gained a passage across the Niers with the loss of 1 man killed and 1 wounded.
**In the evening, Ferdinand's Army marched to Wachtendonk while the vanguard occupied the town. Holstein-Gottorp's Corps formed the rearguard of the Allied army.
**The British contingent, under the command of the [[Marlborough, Charles Spencer, 3rd Duke of|Duke of Marlborough]], completed its disembarkation near Emden (to the exception of the [[2nd Dragoons|2nd Royal North British Dragoons]] who were detained at sea by contrary winds) and went into cantonments.
On the night of August 3 to 4, the Allies repaired the bridges at Wachtendonk and the artillery and baggage crossed the Niers.
**Chevert reached Wesel where he was reinforced with part of the garrison.
**The French managed to break the bridge of the Allies at Düsseldorf with heavily loaded vessels launched from upstream.
**Late in the evening, Chevert's Corps reached Wesel, after having forded the Ruhr and the Lippe. At Wesel, it was reinforced with 2 bns and a few hundreds militia and volunteers, bringing its total force to approx. 6,500 men and 12 heavy guns. However, by the time, Chevert had integrated these reinforcements into his corps, it was too late to consider a night attack as it had been initially planned.
**The main Allied army reached Rheinberg. The rearguard led by the Prince of Holstein-Gottorp was at Clostercamp.
**Early in the morning, Ferdinand's Army crossed the Niers at Wachtendonk. In the afternoon, it reached Rheinberg unmolested.
**The rearguard led by the Prince of Holstein-Gottorp was at Clostercamp.
**At 6:00 p.m., Imhoff, who had only 4 bns and 4 sqns, was informed that a French force reinforced by the garrison of Wesel was to pass the Lippe over 3 bridges and marched during the night with much artillery towards Rees to seize this place and burn the bridge. Imhoff decamped with all his force to cover Rees.
**During the evening, Ferdinand was informed of the threat on his bridge at Rees. Due to the extraordinary overflowing of the Rhine, the bridge at Rees was by now impassable and Ferdinand could barely reinforce Imhoff with 2 batallions ([[Stolzenberg Infantry|Stolzenberg]] and [[Hessian Erbprinz Infantry| Hessian Erbprinz]]) who were marching from Spyck, where they had passed the Rhine in boats, under the command of General Zastrow.
**During the evening, Ferdinand was informed that Chevert had crossed the Lippe near Wesel with 12 to 14 bns and more than 14 sqns (in fact Chevert's Corps was not as strong as reported), intending to attack Imhoff who was covering the bridges of Rees from Mehr. Due to the extraordinary overflowing of the Rhine, the bridge at Rees was by now impassable.
**Zastrow managed to cross the Rhine in boats at Spyck with his 2 bns ([[Stolzenberg Infantry|Stolzenberg]] and [[Hessian Erbprinz Infantry| Hessian Erbprinz]]) and marched to effect a junction with Imhoff's detachment.
**Ferdinand detached General von Wangenheim with 3 bns and 4 sqns to reinforce Imhoff at Mehr. However, the Rhine was still quite high and the bridges were momentarily unusable. Wangenheim had to stop at Xanten.
**The British contingent marched from Emden to Loro (probably Leer in Ostfriesland) where it encamped. Brudenell's regiment ([[51st Foot]]), which had been on garrison duty in Emden for 16 weeks, joined the British contingent. Garrison duty in Emden was assumed by 400 Invalids recently arrived from Great Britain.
*Engagement
**Zastrow made a junction with Imhoff's Corps. Imhoff did not spot any French troops near Rees and resolved to move back to his camp at Mehr. At 6:00 p.m., he began his march and reached Mehr. His advanced guards were no sooner posted that they they were engaged by an important French force (10,000 men) advancing from Wesel under the command of Lieutenant-General Chevert assisted by MM. de Voyer and de Chavigny. Imhoff decided to attack the French with his 3,000 men despite their superior forces. During the [[1758-08-05 - Combat of Mehr|Combat of Mehr]], Chevert was repulsed, loosing some 408 men captured, 400 killed or wounded and 11 guns. The bridge at Rees had been saved.
**The British contingent marched from Emden to Loro (probably Leer in Ostfriesland) where it encamped. Brudenell's regiment ([[51st Foot]]), which had been on garrison duty in Emden for 16 weeks, joined the British contingent. Garrison duty in Emden was assumed by 400 Invalids arrived from Great Britain.
**Contades' Army marched from the region of Rheindahlen in the direction of Wesel.
**When Ferdinand heard of the attempt against his bridge at Rees, he detached Major-General Wangenheim across the Rhine to support Imhoff.
**Ferdinand initially intended to cross the Rhine at Rheinberg but the prodigious flood of the river made it impossible. Furthermore, the bridges at Rees were still impassable. Ferdinand now feared that Soubise's corps (27,000 men) could attack the recently landed British contingent (12,000 men). He also realised that the capture of his bridge at Rees would have blocked him on the left bank of the Rhine. Accordingly, he marched with the main Allied army from Rheinberg to Xanten while the rearguard under Holstein-Gottorp occupied Sonsbeck.
**Wangenheim crossed the Rhine with 3 bns and 4 sqns aboard flat-bottom boats and effected a junction with Imhoff's detachment on the right bank.
**Contades' Army reached Krefeld.
**The main Allied army resumed its march by Kalkar on Griethausen.
**Ferdinand rested his army for a day. The high level of the Rhine had made the bridges at Rees unusable and Ferdinand gave orders to dismantle them and to re-establish them near Griethausen to the northeast of Kleve.
**The British contingent marched from Leer to Meppax (probably Meppen).
**Contades left his camp at Erkelenz.
**Detachments of French cavalry started to advance downstream along the Rhine.
**The contingent of Württemberg (about 6,300 men) formed a junction with Soubise's Army at Cassel.
**In Hesse, the Württemberger Contingent (about 6,300 men) formed a junction with Soubise's Army at Kassel.
**The main Allied army arrived at Griethausen while the rearguard reached Kleve. Flooding had made the bridge at Rees impassable. Accordingly, this bridge was broken down and it was decided to build two new bridges.
**The main Allied army marched by way of Kalkar and arrived at the Castle of Moyland while the rearguard reached Kleve.
**The bridge at Rees was broken down and work started on two new bridges.
**The British contingent marched from Meppen to Lingen.
During the night of August 8 to 9, the Allies laid two new bridges over the Rhine: one of 100 boats upstream of Emmerich and a second of 28 boats in front of Griethausen.
On the night of August 8 to 9, the Allies laid two new bridges over the Rhine: one of 100 boats upstream of Emmerich and a second of 28 boats in front of Griethausen.
**In the morning, the French made an attempt to destroy Ferdinand's bridges with 4 specially designed boats launched downriver from Wesel. However, all these boats were destroyed or taken by armed barks before they could put their design to execution.
**At daybreak, the Allied army began to pass the Rhine on the newly built bridges in the following order:
**Ferdinand's Army reached the vicinity of Griethausen
***Dragoons (4 sqns)
***Baggage of the headquarters
On the night of August 9 to 10, the Allied army began to pass the Rhine at Griethausen on the newly built bridges in the following order:
***Sick of the army
*Dragoons (4 sqns)
***Heavy artillery
*Baggage of the headquarters
***Army in 4 divisions
*Sick of the army
***Baggage of the army
*Heavy artillery
***Rearguard
*Army in 4 divisions
*Baggage of the army
*Rearguard
On August 10
**Contades encamped at Alpen while his vanguard under Lieutenant-General d'Armentières reached Kleve.
**Düsseldorf was occupied shortly after the departure of Hardenberg.
**The Allied army completed the crossing of the Rhine and then burnt the bridges.
**Ferdinand's Army completed with great difficulty the crossing of the Rhine. After the dismantling of the bridge, its components were transported downstream into the Pannerden Canal belonging to the Dutch Republic.
**General Hardenberg evacuated Düsseldorf and retired to Lippstadt.
**General von Hardenberg evacuated Düsseldorf after throwing his guns and ammunition into the Rhine and retired towards Lippstadt.
**The British contingent marched from Lingen to Bentheim.
**Contades' Army reached Alpen where Contades issued instructions to establish a bridge on the Rhine.
**Contades' vanguard under Lieutenant-General d'Armentières reached Kleve.
From August 10 to 15, Ferdinand's Army cantoned between Rees and Bocholt while the magazines were removed from Emmerich.
**The French army started to cross the Rhine and encamped on the banks of the Lippe.
**Contades' Army started to cross the Rhine, encamping on the banks of the Lippe.
**To prepare the junction with the British contingent, Ferdinand sent General Imhoff (11 bns and 10 sqns) to Bocholt, General Oberg to Praest near Emmerich and General Urff with a brigade at Werth to support Imhoff.
**A storm broke the bridges that the French had erected over the Rhine, delaying Contades.
**The same day, the British contingent marched to Ahaus. Heavy rain then delayed the advance of this corps for several days.
**The British contingent marched to Ahaus. Heavy rain then delayed the advance of this corps for several days.
In the following days, the corps of the Lieutenant-General d'Armentières crossed the Rhine at Wesel and made a junction with the main French army. Ferdinand now occupied all posts on the opposite bank of the Lippe.
On August 16, Ferdinand's Army marched by Borken towards Coesfeld.
On August 17, after marching through a very heavy rain, the British contingent reached Coesfeld where it effected a junction with Imhoff's Corps.
**The French army was encamped on the heath near Wesel.
**Ferdinand marching by Borcken (present-day Borken) and Gemen arrived at Coesfeld where he established his headquarters, sending his advanced guard to Dülmen.
**Ferdinand arrived at Coesfeld where he established his headquarters, sending his advance guard to Dülmen.
On August 19, Contades finally completed the crossing of the Rhine.
**Contades' Army, after much delay caused by the destruction of its bridge, finally managed to cross to the right bank of the Rhine.
**Hardenberg's Corps reached Lippstadt which it occupied.
On August 20, the British contingent was reviewed by Ferdinand of Brunswick.
On August 20, the British contingent was reviewed by Ferdinand of Brunswick. This contingent comprised 6 bns and 14 sqns under the Duke of Marlborough.
**Contades advanced from Wesel to Schermbeck.
**Ferdinand's Army finally made a junction with the British contingent at Coesfeld. Ferdinand was now at the head of 46 bns and 73 sqns for a total of approx. 40,000 men.
**The Duke of Holstein was sent to the Lippe with his Prussian cavalry.
On August 21, Ferdinand's Army finally made a junction with the British contingent at Coesfeld. He was now on the defensive, trying to stop a new [[1758 - French offensive in Westphalia|French offensive in Westphalia]].
Ferdinand was now on the defensive, trying to stop a new [[1758 - French offensive in Westphalia|French offensive in Westphalia]].
*Carlyle, T.: ''History of Friedrich II of Prussia'', vol. 18
*Clowes, Wm. Laird: ''The Royal Navy – A History from the Earliest Time to the Present'', Vol. III, Sampson Low, Marston and Company, London: 1898, pp. 173, 190
*Grosser Generalstab Kriegsgeschichtliche Abteilung II: ''Die Kriege Friedrichs des Grossen'', Part 3 ''Der siebenjährige Krieg 1756-1763'', Vol. 7 ''Olmütz und Crefeld'', Berlin, 1909, pp. 151-168
*Grosser Generalstab Kriegsgeschichtliche Abteilung II: ''Die Kriege Friedrichs des Grossen'' Part 3 ''Der siebenjährige Krieg 1756-1763''
**Vol. 7 ''Olmütz und Crefeld'', Berlin, 1909, pp. 151-168
**Vol. 8 ''Zorndorf und Hochkirch'', Berlin, 1910, pp. 353-370, 375-378
*Hotham (''probably''): ''The operations of the Allied Amy under the command of his Serene Highness Prince Ferdinand Duke of Brunswic and Luneberg beginning in the year 1757 and ending in the year 1762'', London: T. Jefferies, 1764, pp. 35-60
*Jomini, Henri: ''Traité des grandes opérations militaires'', 2ème édition, 2ème partie, Magimel, Paris: 1811, pp. 8-29, 39-45
Hierarchical Path: Seven Years War (Main Page) >> Campaigns >> 1758 - Allied campaign on the west bank of the Rhine
The campaign lasted from June to August 1758
1.1 Preparations for the Crossing of the Rhine
1.2 The Allies cross the Rhine
1.3 Ferdinand tries to attack the French at Rheinberg
1.4 The Allies push southwards
1.5 Battle of Krefeld
1.6 The Allies advance towards the Meuse
1.7 The French Counter-Offensive
After his successful winter offensive in Western Germany where he drove back the French armies to the Rhine, Ferdinand of Brunswick now considered bringing the war to the west bank of the Rhine.
Preparations for the Crossing of the Rhine
During their successful winter offensive, the Allies had suffered important losses caused by its restless pursuit of the French army on muddy roads in inclement weather. The French army had suffered even more heavily. It had lost at least 16,000 men killed, wounded or missing and 10,000 men were in the field hospitals.
Most of the French army was quartered on the left bank of the Rhine from the Dutch border to Bonn. On the right bank of the Rhine, it still occupied only Düsseldorf (2 rgts), Kaiserwerth, Duisburg and Wesel (4 rgts). Furthermore, the Prince de Soubise was posted with a corps in the region of Hanau where he had been sent back.
At the beginning of April, the Allied army had little more than 15,000 men still under arms while some 6,000 men were hospitalised or sick. Furthermore, a number of troops had had to be left behind to protect the lines of communication. For the time being, the first priority was to bring the army back into fighting conditions. The use of the provisions previously assembled by the French in Westphalia could only be made with great difficulties due to the hostility of the population of the region of Münster.
The numerous small garrisons left behind at Bremen, Verden, Lüneburg, Stade and other towns were recalled to the main Allied army. The regiments were reinforced by recruits taken from the country.
In the first half of April, Maria Theresa recalled the 6 Austrian bns and the Szechényi Hussars which had previously campaigned with the French army.
From April 6
Troops took cantonments to recover from their winter campaign. Ferdinand used this period to resupply his troops, form magazines, obtain pontoons and assemble an artillery train at Hameln. Meanwhile, the fortifications of Lippstadt were repaired and six bridges re-established on the Lippe.
The Hessians assembled their militia who, along with Hanoverian jägers, guarded the roads in this area.
Prussians
Prince Heinrich returned to Saxony with his division.
The army fortified Wesel, Düsseldorf, Geldern and Kaiserwerth. New units arrived from Flanders while militia were incorporated into Clermont's depleted units.
Clermont initially considered to retreat behind the Meuse but the War Minister Belle-Isle managed to convince him to remain in his current positions on the Rhine. Clermont planned to form five camps along the Rhine by mid June: at Neuss, Moers, Büderich (facing Wesel), between Xanten and Kleve, and finally Emmerich.
French troops in Hanau remained idle.
On April 11, a second convention was signed between Great Britain and Prussia by which it was agreed that the British would pay 670,000 pounds to Frederick II to augment his forces. Both countries also agreed not to conclude any treaty of peace, truce or neutrality unless they came to mutual agreement.
Initially, neither Ferdinand nor Frederick considered a campaign on the left bank of the Rhine. However, King George II wished to build on the previous successes and to launch an offensive in that region. Ferdinand advised him that he was in no position to fulfill his desire.
On April 20, the British Commons voted the 670,000 pounds destined to Prussia.
At the end of April, Ferdinand declared himself ready to cross the Rhine with a corps of approx. 6,500 men to attack the French quarters and to repass to the right bank after these strikes. If ever, the Dutch joined the alliance, Ferdinand considered to cross the Rhine with a stronger corps at Emmerich or Rees and to drive the French back to the Upper-Meuse. To support these plans, he asked for the intervention of a British fleet on the coasts of Flanders or on the coasts of Northern France.
By May, the Saxon contingent destined to join the French armies had completed its equipment in Vienna and then moved to Linz. Saxon regiments swore allegiance to Maria Theresa and Louis XV.
On May 6, Landgrave Wilhelm VIII of Hesse-Kassel set off from Hamburg, where he had taken refuge during the Summer of 1757, to return to Kassel. Upon arrival in his principality, he immediately started to assemble a corps for its defence, recalling a dragoon rgt and a detachment of Hessian Hussars previously stationed in the Fortress of Rheinfels on the Rhine. Great Britain contributed 80,000 £ for the creation of this Hessian Corps.
On May 9, as requested by the Landgrave of Hesse, Ferdinand sent him the Lieutenant-General Prince Ysenburg with 2 Hessian bns (Prinz Ysenburg and Canitz) along with the 2 sqns of Pruschenk Cavalry and some artillery to Marburg. Prince Ysenburg was charged to organize the defence of Hesse against Soubise's army.
With the Dutch alliance more uncertain, King George II, King Frederick II and Duke Ferdinand started to work on a plan to cross on the left bank of the Rhine in June. This plan called for the concentration of the Allied army in two corps near Coesfeld and Dülmen on May 26; then on May 30 2,000 men would advanced from Dülmen, cross the Rhine near Duisburg and make a demonstration against Düsseldorf; in the following night, 2,000 men would advance from Koesfeld and cross the Rhine on boats near Emmerich; the rest of the army would follow on June 1. By capturing Kleve and threatening Düsseldorf, Ferdinand hoped to induce the French to evacuate Wesel.
The Scheither Light Troops were raised. They initially counted 400 men.
The French army had been reinforced by militia bns sent from France. Furthermore, 6,000 recruits had been assembled at Metz. Finally, 50 additional militia coys were promised for later. Clermont's Army counted 123 bns and 113 sqns for a total of 50,000 foot and 12,000 horse. On average, each battalion had 430 men (a few had only 200 men) and each squadron, 114 men. However, when the various garrisons were deducted, the field army counted only 32,000 foot and 12,000 horse. Furthermore, troops were poorly clothed and armed, and supply was bad. Tents and cooking equipment were almost completely missing. Some 3,000 horses had no bridle and saddle. Clermont thought that the Allies would not be able to resume hostilities before the end of June. By that time, Belle-Isle had promised to bring back the French army in Germany to 80,000 men. Clermont planned to recross to the right bank of the Rhine in July and to advance between the Ruhr and the Lippe and thus live on the land in Prussian territory.
Austrians
According to Maria Theresa's instructions, Baron Dombasle left the Austrian Netherlands for Bohemia with 6 bns (from regiments Prinz von Lothringen, Ligne, Los Rios, Platz, Sachsen-Gotha and d'Arberg), 6 sqns of Szechényi Hussars and with 4,000 recruits. He planned to pass the Moselle at Alken and the Rhine at Mainz. These Austrian units were now badly needed in Bohemia.
On May 16, the main Allied army left its cantonments and prepared to follow the French across the Rhine.
From May 20, the Allies started to move towards Koesfeld and Dülmen for the planned crossing of the Rhine.
On May 21, Prince Xavier arrived in Linz to take command of the Saxon contingent. He then reviewed six of his regiments.
Towards the end of May, the French still occupied the Duchy of Jülich and Kleve, Austrian Guelders and the Electorate of Cologne. Soubise's corps was deployed behind the Lahn and Clermont had his headquarters at Wesel. Finally, they had reinforced the works of the places of Düsseldorf and Kaiserwerth.
By the end of May, the Allied army counted 40,000 men (an average of 20 officers and 560 men per battalion and 6 officers and 140 men per squadron). Ferdinand of Brunswick had made sure that his new troops were rapidly trained. He also used his new light troops in raids against French outposts left on the right bank of the Rhine.
On May 26, the Allied vanguard under the command of the Prince of Holstein-Gottorp occupied Coesfeld while most of the army encamped at Nottuln.
The Allied army was now deployed in several camps close to the east bank of the Rhine. For his operations on the Lower Rhine, Ferdinand had thus assembled an army of about 40,000 men (42 bns, 59 sqns and some light troops).
Detailed OOB of Ferdinand's army in the Lower Rhine country on May 26 (as per C. Rogge).
During the night of May 26 to 27, Ferdinand left his camp at Nottuln, advancing on Dülmen with a part of his force while, with the other part, the Hereditary Prince marched to Coesfeld where it formed a junction with Allied troops already stationed there.
On May 27 Allies
The Allies had 17 bns and 25 sqns assembled at Koesfeld under Lieutenant-General Oberg; and 21 bns and 30 sqns at Dülmen under Lieutenant-General von Spörcken. The headquarters were established at Dülmen
Major-General Wangenheim advanced to Dorsten on the Lippe with 4 bns, Scheiter's light troops and 4 sqns (including Luckner's Hussars). Wangenheim was responsible for the demonstration against Düsseldorf,
Oberg would march from Koesfeld to Emmerich where he would cross the Rhine. If Oberg was successful, Spörcken would then advance from Dülmen and cross to the left bank of the Rhine. Ferdinand intended to accompany Oberg's Corps which also included Holstein-Gottorp's cavalry.
On May 29, all Allied corps were simultaneously on the march:
Oberg's vanguard reached Emmerich while the main body encamped at Anholt and Bocholt.
Spörcken's Corps reached Lembeck (during the march Ferdinand left this corps and personally joined Oberg's Corps).
Wangenheim's detachment reached Duisburg.
During the night of May 29 to 30, Wangenheim sent a small detachment (50 men of Scheither Light Troops) under the command of Scheiter from Duisburg across the Rhine on boats. Scheiter attacked the quarters of a battalion of Cambrésis Infanterie at Homberg and Essenberg and put them to flight. Scheiter's Corps also repulsed 2 bns of Navarre Infanterie. During this raid, they captured five 6-pdr guns, the new uniforms of Navarre, a few prisoners and a number of horses and mules. Scheiter then repassed the Rhine.
On May 30
Ferdinand advanced from Bocholt to Emmerich with Oberg's vanguard.
the Hereditary Prince encamped at Vrasselt with the rest of Oberg's Corps.
Major-General Wangenheim marched to Ratingen about 4 km from Düsseldorf.
In the afternoon, Scheiter appeared in front of Kaiserswerth and summoned the place. The French commander immediately evacuated the place and crossed to the left bank of the Rhine with the small garrison. Luckner's Hussars then occupied Kaiserswerth.
the main army remained in Lembeck under Spörcken.
Spörcken detached Wutginau with a body of infantry and cavalry from Lembeck towards Wesel, this body encamped at Raesfeld.
For the passage of the army, Ferdinand chose a location near Lobith downstream from Emmerich. To avoid drawing the attention of the French, he had not reconnoitred the location but had simply identified it based on maps supplied to him by people at Kleve. Since he had not enough pontoons for a bridge across the Rhine, Ferdinand had leased, under all sorts of pretexts, a larger number of boats in the Dutch Republic. These boats had been assembled at Pannerden.
During all these manoeuvres, Clermont remained idle once more, feeling safe behind the natural barrier formed by the Rhine. When he heard of the arrival of Ferdinand at Emmerich, he sent only 2,000 men (infantry and artillery) to reinforce the divisions of Randan and Villemure guarding the Rhine from Xanten, through Kalkar and Kleve up to the Dutch border, a distance of about 40 km.
During the night of May 30 to 31, Wangenheim's Corps advanced to Kaiserwerth. Wangenheim garrisoned the town with light troops, some foot and Bock Dragoons, placing this garrison under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Walthausen. Wangenheim then advanced up to Düsseldorf.
In the afternoon, Ferdinand's vanguard left Emmerich and marched to Lobith and Tholhuis. Ferdinand then marched the vanguard to a concealed camp on the heights of Nieder-Elten.
At 5:00 p.m., the various Allied corps moved closer to the Rhine. In the evening, of May 31, Allied troops stood ready near the crossing places but the boats expected from Pannerden did not show up. Indeed, the boatmen had learned the real purpose of their assignment and refused to hand their boats over for this dangerous business. The crossing of the Rhine had to be postponed. The Hereditary Prince of Brunswick finally managed to convince them to form a bridge but the boatmen insisted that it should be established on the nearby Dutch territory. Ferdinand had wanted to avoid entering into Dutch territory to avoid any diplomatic complications with the Dutch government with whom negotiations were still underway for a possible participation in the war. He settled the situation by making apologies to the Dutch governor, Princess Anna of Orange, a daughter of George II.
Wutginau reached Ringenberg with part of Spörcken's Corps.
Spörcken detached troops against Wesel. They vainly summoned the place.
Oberg's Corps prepared the passage of the Rhine. In the evening, work started on a boat bridge 800 m south of Herwen, in Dutch territory.
The Allies cross the Rhine
During the night of June 1 to 2
At 2:00 a.m., 400 Allied grenadiers with 4 field guns crossed the Rhine at Tholhuis in flat-bottomed boats about 1 km upstream of Herwen to cover the construction of the boat bridge and to protect the crossing. They were soon supported by by 200 men of the Ruesch Hussars under Major von Beust and 200 men of the Finckenstein Dragoons. The indefatigable Prince of Holstein-Gottorp took the lead of this vanguard. This cavalry had barely landed on the left bank that it hurled itself against the French cantonments. The detachment of Ruesch Hussars attacked the Royal-Cravate Cavalerie (or Bellefonds Cavalerie?) near Düffelward and captured one of its standard, which Frederick allowed them to carry, and a pair of kettle-drums which were given to Finckenstein Dragoons.
By 4:00 a.m., the Allies had speedily completed a bridge at Herwen. The remainder of Oberg's Corps then started to cross the Rhine.
a detachment of about 750 French foot was then sent against the head of the Allied vanguard to slow its progress. However, a detachment of 20 Allied troops turned their position and all French posts soon retired to Kleve which was the rallying point of Villemure's Division.
By noon, the entire Allied vanguard was assembled on the left bank of the Rhine.
Clermont gave orders to assemble the main body (86 bns and 109 sqns) of army in camp in front of Rheinberg.
In the night of June 2 to 3
The boat bridge at Herwen was completed. The rest of Oberg's Corps crossed the bridge with all its artillery and baggage and concentrated in the neighbourhood of Dusselwerth.
Holstein-Gottorp advanced on Kleve while the Hereditary Prince advanced with the infantry on the dyke of the Rhine up to the lock at Spoy.
General Villemure had assembled La Marine Infanterie and some other troops near Spoy but the Hereditary Prince moved on Kleve by Rindem, thus threatening Villemure's flank. Villemure gave the order to evacuate Kleve and to retire on Kalkar, pursued by Holstein-Gottorp's cavalry.
The detachment of the Hereditary Prince marched to Kleve and encamped between this town and Griethausen.
Ferdinand personally went to Kleve and assembled 17 bns and 27 sqns nearby.
At 8:00 a.m., Ferdinand sent the Prince of Holstein-Gottorp from Kleve to Goch with 1 bn and 21 bns to reconnoitre the left flank of the French army in the area of Kalkar.
Clermont personally went to Rheinberg. He thought that the Dutch had joined the Allies and he feared for his lines of communication. He had thus resolved to abandon his line of defence along the Rhine and to retreat to the left bank of the Meuse. Accordingly, he sent a strong detachments from Geldern northwards to reconnoitre the area between the Meuse and the Niers.
The French had concentrated 20 bns and 31 sqns on the heights south of Xanten.
French troops had now abandoned Kleve, Kranenburg and Gennep; and were concentrating at Rheinberg, sending off their baggage to Roermond.
Ferdinand marched from Kleve to Goch with the main body of Oberg's Corps. He also decided to have the rest of his army which was still on the right bank of the Rhine, to cross to the left bank.
The French evacuated Kalkar and retired to Xanten.
The boat bridge at Herwen was disassembled and and started to build two new ones further upstream at Rees to speed up the arrival of additional troops.
Ferdinand marched with the main body to Uedem in the direction of Xanten and the French left flank.
In the afternoon, Lieutenant-General von Wutginau crossed the Rhine on boats near Rees with 7 bns and 8 sqns belonging to Spörcken's Corps. As soon as the bridges were ready, 8 additional bns followed.
On June 6, the Allied vanguard sent detachments up to Wesel, Geldern and Venlo.
Wutginau's detachment effected a junction with Ferdinand's main body at Uedem. Ferdinand was now at the head of 24 bns and 43 sqns. He encamped near Weeze.
Spörcken crossed the Rhine at Rees.
Spörcken crossed the Rhine with another part of his corps (8 bns, 10 sqns) and advanced to Kalkar.
Spörcken had left 6 bns and 4 sqns on the right bank of the Rhine under the command of Lieutenant-General Imhoff.
Brunswicker Imhoff (2 bns)
Hessian Erbprinz (1 bn)
Hessian Capellan (1 bn)
Hanoverian Busche Dragoons (4 sqns)
Spörcken left another detachment of 4 bns and 4 sqns at Brünen to observe the Fortress of Wesel.
Spörcken left Major-General von Brunck at Rees with Brunck Infantry (1 bn) and Oberg Infantry (1 bn) to guard the bridge head.
Major-General von Wangenheim still occupied Kaiserwerth on the far side of the Rhine with a small force (4 sqns, 4 bns) to protect his line of communication
Scheither Infantry (1 bn)
Halberstadt (1 bn)
Bückeburg (1 bn)
Hanau) (1 bn)
Bock Dragoons (4 sqns)
Mansbach (1 bn) garrisoned Kleve.
Ferdinand reconnoitred the French positions at Xanten and decided to attack them the following day.
Holstein-Gottorp's cavalry drove 400 French hussars out of Sonsbeck.
In the evening, Ferdinand reached Sonsbeck on the left flank of the French positions.
In the morning sent the Hereditary Prince with 8 bns and 8 sqns against the line of retreat of the French at Alpen. Ferdinand accompanied this detachment and soon realised that the French had already evacuated their positions to the south of Xanten and retired on Rheinberg. Near Alpen the Hereditary Prince engaged French troops, combat lasted till the evening. Meanwhile, Ferdinand reconnoitred the new French positions near Rheinberg. He got the impression that the French intended to make a stand there, but terrain prevented a more accurate reconnaissance. Ferdinand left 4 bns and 7 sqns near the French positions while, during the evening, he moved with the rest of his army in a camp at Sonsbeck.
At Rheinberg, Clermont had assembled some 87 bns and 111 sqns for a total of approx. 50,000 men. Clermont initially planned to send a strong detachment to the right bank of the Rhine which, covered by the Fortress of Wesel, would destroy the bridges of the Allies at Rees.
Ferdinand established a camp halfway between Sonsbeck and Alpen, He also sent the Prince of Holstein-Gottorp with 3 bns and 15 sqns to Issum to secure his right flank.
Spörcken with 8 bns and 10 sqns effected a junction with Ferdinand's Army at Alpen.
The French positions lay on a flat hill 2 km west of Rheinberg and had swampy ground and ditches overgrown with bushes covering its western front. Its right wing extended up to Millingen while its left wing leaned against the so-called "Fossa Eugeniana", an unfinished canal to link the Meuse and the Rhine. At places this canal was 30 m. wide, at others only 3 m. It was only 1.5 m. deep. Strong detachments were posted 3 km to the west, on the heights of the Leucht, the hollow of Saalhoff and the heights of Clostercamp.
Changing his mind, Clermont reported to Paris that it would be impossible to simultaneously protect Cologne, the lines of communication and the borders of France.
The Allied army was encamped with its right at Issum and its left towards Krägeren. General Spörcken occupied the heights of Alpen and the Prince of Holstein-Gottorp covered the right flank between Issum and Hetgem after seizing the bridge on the Swaath.
Ferdinand reconnoitred the French positions on the heights of the Leucht, finding that if he managed to turn the French left wing near Kamp, Clermont would be left only with the option of a dangerous retreat towards Wesel, caught between the Rhine and the Allies.
In the afternoon, Ferdinand sent his orders: Lieutenant-General von Spörcken (8 bns, 8 sqns, 7 pieces) would advance on the heights of the Leucht and, from there, cannonade the French right wing; Ferdinand (21 bns, 28 sqns) would attack Clermont's left wing through the hollow of Saalhoff; and the Prince of Holstein-Gottorp (3 bns, 15 sqns) would advance from Issum to the Niersen Hills, east of Kamp, and support Ferdinand's attack by turning the French left flank.
Clermont retired his left wing on the heights in front of Rheinberg, extended his right beyond Millingen and transferred Voyer's corps to Clostercamp.
Ferdinand tries to attack the French at Rheinberg
Map of the action at Rheinberg on June 12 1758
Source: Kriege Friedrichs des Grossen, volume III by the German Grosser Generalstab
Courtesy: Tony Flores
Detailed OoB of the French Army in Germany in June (as per C. Rogge).
Detailed OoB of the Allied Army near Rheinberg on June 12 (as per C. Rogge).
On June 12 at 1:00 a.m., Allied troops marched out of their encampments. The Allies arrived from the west and the French army had his back to the Rhine. The main Allied army advanced in columns by battalion to form a line with Spörcken's corps while Holstein marched on Kamp.
At 6:00 a.m., the Allied army was on the heights between Alpen and Saalhoff, formed in four lines: the infantry forming the two first line and the cavalry the two others. Spörcken seized the débouché south of Alpen leading to the plain of Eil, chased the enemy from the bushes, planted a battery on the heights of Alpen to keep the French cavalry at bay. A quite ineffective artillery duel ensued.
Ferdinand then detached the Hereditary Prince with a vanguard of 5 bns to seize the defile of Saalhoff and to fall on the French flank at Kamp while Holstein would attack the monastery of Clostercamp. The Hereditary Prince conquered the defile and then waited impatiently for the attack of the Prince of Holstein-Gottorp near Clostercamp because it was impossible to resume the attack against the French front and left wing if the heights of Niersen were not occupied by Allied troops.
It was 9:00 a.m. when the first detachments of Holstein-Gottorp's Corps finally appeared. However, they were not on the height of Kamp as expected but behind Ferdinand's troops in the hollow of Saalhoff. Holstein-Gottorp had lost his way in the dark. Ferdinand redirected some detachments southwards and they finally seized the heights near Kamp. But the Niersen Hill facing Kamp was still occupied by French troops. Furthermore, now that the French had been alarmed, it was too late to reorganise the attack and Ferdinand decided to postpone it to the next day.
The Allied left wing cavalry was deployed behind the battery at Alpen. Voyer stubbornly defended his position but had to abandon the heights at noon.
The Allies bivouacked in front of the French army for the night. Spörcken's left wing was only a half hour march from the French right.
During the night of June 12 to 13, realising the danger of his position, Clermont hastily retired on Moers and Uerdingen, escaping from the trap. A few Allied detachments engaged the rearguard near the "Fossa Eugeniana". Only the hussars of Holstein-Gottorp's Corps followed the French.
Ferdinand had not obtained the open battle that he was looking for. He had now to decide if he would march further southwards, thus extending his line of communication to his bridges at Rees, a line of communication already threatened by two French occupied fortresses at Geldern and Wesel. Furthermore, he had no bridging material to establish a new communication further upstream on the Rhine between Wesel and Düsseldorf. Ferdinand also had to consider that Soubise's Corps from his current positions near Hanau could advance towards Hesse or Westphalia. Despite these threats, Ferdinand decided to resume operations on the left bank of the Rhine, staying on the heels of Clermont's Army and to force a battle as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, the Allies captured Rheinberg and all the country up to Geldern with all the magazines located in this area.
The Allies push southwards
On June 14, Ferdinand marched southwestwards from Rheinberg and encamped at Rheurdt. The Allies occupied the heights of Sankt-Tönis, 10 km from Moers, with their right towards the village of Tönisberg in which 300 grenadiers were posted as an advanced guard with 12 heavy guns. Ferdinand intended to make another attempt from this new position against the French left wing at Moers.
At 5:00 a.m., Ferdinand was informed that the French army was advancing in four columns on his right. He immediately drew up the army in order of battle. Ferdinand then reconnoitred the French army and saw that a considerable body was coming over the plain of Hüls and marching towards Krefeld. Ignoring if he was facing the entire French army, Ferdinand waited till the evening when he received certain information that the French army had marched towards Neuss and that the troops which he saw was a detachment under the command of the Lieutenant-General Comte de Saint-Germain sent to take possession of the post of Krefeld. Ferdinand then sent his light troops and hussars to Kempen and Wachtendonk and ordered his army into camp.
Clermont retreated to Neuss where he had important magazines.
Saint-Germain's Corps (12,000 men) was left behind at Krefeld to observe the movements of the Allies.
Ferninand's Army advanced southwestwards to Aldekerk. A vanguard under the Prince of Holstein-Gottorp was sent to Hüls to observe the French at Krefeld. If the French resumed their retreat, Ferdinand intended to move closer to the Meuse and thus obtain an easier line of supply for his army.
After much hesitations, Clermont suddenly decided to march to the enemy and to offer battle. Belle-Isle had been urging him since many days to accept a battle. Clermont had just received a new letter from Belle-Isle, reiterating his request based on the numerical superiority of the French army, the perilous situation of the Allies, their lack of food, and the mediocre leadership qualities of Ferdinand. Clermont was also expecting the arrival of the Württemberger Contingent (6,300 men).
The departure of Soubise's Corps (24,000 men) for Bohemia was postponed to June 25.
Ferdinand personally reconnoitred Saint-Germain's positions around Krefeld. He then gave his orders for the following days:
Holstein-Gottorp was to advance towards Hüls with 10 Prussian sqns, 5 hussar sqns and 3 bns (Spörcken, Hessian Garde and Prinz Karl)
Wangenheim, who was still demonstrating against Düsseldorf, was to pass the Rhine at Duisburg with 4 bns (Scheiter, Halberstadt, Bückeburg and Hanau), 4 sqns (Bock Dragoons) and Scheiter's light troops and to advance towards Moers to effect a junction with the main army.
Spörcken, still posted at Rheinberg, was to join the army with 5 bns and 6 sqns and to leave general Hardenberg at Büderich with 2 bns (Gotha and Stolzenberg) and Diepenbroick (1 bn) at Orsoy
the Hereditary Prince with 12 bns and 12 sqns was to march towards Kempen
Early in the morning of June 18
According to plan, Ferdinand sent the Prince of Holstein-Gottorp ahead towards Hüls Holstein-Gottorp with 3 bns and 15 sqns advanced to Hüls and once more reconnoitred the French positions at Krefeld.
Clermont started his advance from Neuss towards Krefeld.
Ferdinand detached the Hereditary Prince of Brunswick by Kempen towards Roermond on the Meuse which Ferdinand wanted to capture. Accordingly, the Hereditary Prince left his camp with 12 bns (Block, Spörcken, Hardenberg, Wangenheim, Post, Dreves, Bock, 2 bns of the Brunswick Leib-Regiment, Hessian Garde, Hessian Leib-Regiment and Prinz Karl), 10 Hessian sqns (4 of Leib Dragoons, 2 of [[Hessian Leib Cavalry|Leibgarde], 2 of Prinz Wilhelm, 2 of Miltitz) and 11 pieces (3 mortars, 4 x 12-pdr guns and 4 x 6-pdr guns). He marched directly to Kempen.
At 6:00 a.m., Ferdinand, accompanied by Holstein-Gottorp's light troops reconnoitred Krefeld. He was considering to launch an attack against Saint-Germain when he was informed that the main French army was marching from Neuss towards Krefeld. Immediately, Ferdinand instructed the Hereditary Prince to halt at Kempen and Holstein-Gottorp to remain at Hüls while he assembled his entire army near Kempen and Hüls.
Wangenheim crossed the Rhine at Ruhrort and reached Moers.
Ferdinand gave his orders for the following day:
Wangenheim was to advance with his corps towards Hüls
Spörcken was to march at night with the army and to take position between Hüls and Kempen
Clermont's Army reached Fischeln, only 5 km south of Krefeld. Clermont decided to stop his advance, as the strong wall and ditch of the Landwehr, south of Krefeld, seemed to offer an excellent defensive position, with both flanks well protected by the nature of the terrain. His army encamped between Anrath and Fischeln.
Prince Xavier of Saxony, the Dauphine's brother, arrived at Clermont's headquarters.
Clermont's report (dated June 16) reached Paris where it was resolved to postpone Soubise's departure for Bohemia until the outcome of Clermont's planned offensive would be known.
Ferdinand had assembled all his troops in his camp between Kempen and Hüls, in sight of the French positions. The Allies were formed as follows:
the Hereditary Prince's corps (12 bns, 12 sqns) formed the right wing
Wangenheim's corps (4 bns, 4 sqns) formed the centre
Spörcken's corps (35 bns, 52 horse sqns, 6 hussar sqns) formed the left wing
Ferdinand reconnoitred the French positions.
Clermont recalled most of Saint-Germain's Corps from Krefeld to take position behind the Landwehr Canal, leaving only a small detachment in Krefeld. Saint-Germain marched towards Anrath where it made a junction with Clermont's army.
At 10:00 a.m., the small French detachment left in Krefeld evacuated the town.
Ferdinand once more reconnoitred the French positions and noticed the evacuation of Krefeld. He then went to Krefeld accompanied by hussars and, from the church steeple, inspected at ease the French positions. In the evening, the Allied hussars retired from Krefeld.
Ferdinand inspected the French positions from the steeple of the church of Sankt-Tönis. Ferdinand got more and more convinced that, this time, Clermont intended to hold his ground. That was the opportunity that Ferdinand was looking for. Indeed, it was increasingly difficult to properly supply his army. For these reasons, he immediately decided to offer battle. The Allied army was ordered to be under arms shortly by 1:00 a.m. the next morning and to leave its baggage in camp. His dispositions were as follows:
right wing (16 bns, 24 cavalry sqns (14 Allied sqns, 10 Prussian dragoon sqns (Holstein-Gottorp Dragoons 5 sqns and Finckenstein Dragoons 5 sqns) and 2 sqns of Prussian Malachowski Yellow Hussars) under the command of the Hereditary Prince seconded by Major-General Wangenheim, the cavalry of this wing was under the command of the Prince of Holstein-Gottorp
left wing (18 bns, 28 cavalry sqns, 3 sqns of Prussian Ruesch Hussars) under Lieutenant-General Spörcken
behind the left wing in the village of Hüls (Brunswick Zastrow Infantry 1 bn)
extreme left wing in the village of Papendeich (probably Papendyk, now just a road name in the north of Krefeld) on the flank of the French right wing Luckner's Hussars (1 sqn) and Scheiter's Corps
The commanders of each wing were required to form 3 converged battalions of grenadiers: 2 (500 men under Lieutenant-Colonel Schulenberg and 500 men under Lieutenant-Colonel Schack) on the right wing, 1 on the left (600 men under Major Cram).
A small French detachment reoccupied Krefeld.
Battle of Krefeld
On June 23, Duke Ferdinand, now some 70 km west of the Rhine found the French army deployed in lines at Krefeld. Ferdinand manoeuvred expertly and defeated the French in this battle of Krefeld. In a few months a very important but dispersed French army had lost immense territory from the gates of Magdeburg to Jülich and had been half destroyed.
Around midnight, Clermont arrived at Neuss where he established his headquarters. He immediately sent a report to Paris, announcing his defeat and informing that he intended to retire behind the Erft, specifying that he was not sure that he could hold this position.
During the night of June 23 to 24, most Clermont's Army gradually reached Neuss where it encamped.
The Allies advance towards the Meuse
Detail of a map illustrating movements of the Allies and French in on the West bank of the Rhine from 26 June to 25 August 1758
Source: Kriege Friedrichs des Grossen by the German Grosser Generalstab, Tome 3 Vol. 8
In the morning, Saint-Germain's Division also reached Neuss.
Clermont halted at Neuss for one day before retiring along the left bank of the Rhine to Worringen where he encamped.
Scheiter's Corps and the hussars pursued the retiring French army along the Rhine and seized the great magazines at Neuss soon after Clermont's departure.
Ferdinand encamped near Krefeld. The tents, which had been left behind at Kempen, were transported to Krefeld.
Ferdinand detached Major-General Wangenheim with 4 bns and 4 sqns to Osterath to support the Allied light troops pursuing the French.
The Allies sang a Te Deum on the battlefield and made a bonfire. Ferdinand gave a pair of French kettle-drums to the Hanoverian artillery for its gallant behaviour.
Wangenheim's detachment arrived at Neuss after marching by way of Osterath.
Clermont's Army set off from Neuss.
The Allied army advanced to Osterath. The Hereditary Prince was left behind at Krefeld wit 6 bns and 10 sqns. The French magazine at Neuss had been partly destroyed but considerable quantity of flour and oats were captured.
Scheiter's corps recrossed the Rhine to blockade Düsseldorf.
The Comte de Gisors, severely wounded at the Battle of Krefeld, died from his wounds at Neuss.
The Allied headquarters were established at Neuss.
Ferdinand marched from Krefeld to Osterath with the main body of his army and laid siege to the place. He would remain there until July 1.
From Osterath, Ferdinand detached Colonel Colignon and Major Jeanneret at the head of 800 light cavalry to the Meuse to raise contributions (money and provisions) on both banks of the river.
The Hereditary Prince was detached with 6 bns and 6 sqns and a few guns to secure the Meuse by capturing Roermond. The same day, he reached Roermond.
Wangenheim's Corps recrossed the Rhine to reinforce the blockade of Düsseldorf.
Ferdinand also sent a reinforcement of 2 bns and 2 sqns to Wangenheim.
The Duke of Holstein-Gottorp marched to the vicinity of München-Gladbach with 13 sqns, advancing against the Duchy of Jülich and putting the surrounding country to contribution. He intended to effect a junction with the corps of the Hereditary Prince.
Wagenheim started to bombard Düsseldorf with 6 guns and 4 mortars. He had sent the Scheither Light Troops to the right bank of the Rhine to cut communication between the city and Clermont's Army. The 6,000 men strong garrison of Düsseldorf consisted of 10 Palatine bns and 4 French bns under the command of General Isselbach. Wangenheim agreed to a cease fire while Isselbach consulted the Elector at Mannheim.
The Hereditary Prince bombarded Roermond during two hours. The garrison (1 bn of La Marche Infanterie, 2 militia bns and some Volontaires du Hainaut under the command of M. de Boccard) then capitulated under condition of free withdrawal to Liège where their arrival caused great confusion among the recruits assembled there for Clermont's Army.
Clermont's Army reached Cologne where it encamped to the northwest of the city. A few detachments, deployed along the Erft, secured the camp. Several French generals, including Mortaigne and Contades, were dissatisfied by Clermont's indecisiveness and some of them departed for Paris to issue formal complaints.
Clermont believed that the Allies would be heading for the Meuse and Flanders. He asked Versailles for instructions.
The French evacuated their sick and wounded in boats up the Rhine to Andernach.
The French were busy building bridges on the Rhine between Deutz and Mülheim a few kilometers upstream of Cologne. They also seized the guns in the arsenal of Cologne.
Orders were sent to Clermont from Paris to announced him that he would be replaced as commander-in-chief.
Ferdinand advanced between St. Nicolas and Berdurdyk with the main body of his army to complete the encirclement of Düsseldorf. With Roermond in his hands, Ferdinand now instructed the Hereditary Prince to capture the Fortress of Jülich to cut Clermont from the Austrian Netherlands.
The French advanced to the river Erft, establishing their headquarters at Kaster.
Osterath surrendered to the Allies.
The Hereditary Prince and Holstein's corps were posted at Titz about 5 km from Jülich.
After sustaining a very severe bombardment, Düsseldorf capitulated and the garrison obtained free withdrawal, after taking the engagement not to serve against the Allies for one year. However, prior to the surrender of the city, the bridges over the Rhine had been broken and most of the ammunition and provisions had been thrown into the river. Ferdinand let 2 bns under Major-General von Hardenberg in the city and recalled the rest of Wangenheim's Corps to his main army.
A large quantity of supply was captured in Düsseldorf. Ferdinand placed an Allied garrison (3 bns) in the city and threw a bridge of boats across the Rhine.
Clermont quitted the army and Contades assumed command.
The French garrison of Düsseldorf (2,000 men) marched out on honourable terms.
The main Allied army advanced to Grevenbroich.
Another Allied corps blockaded Wesel which was garrisoned by 4,500 French.
The French still occupied Geldern, hindering the movements of the Allied army.
Contades left its camp at Cologne, reinforced by the former garrison of Düsseldorf. His army marched in the direction of Grevenbroich on the Erft to stop the advance of the Allies. He reached Fliesteden.
In the evening, Ferdinand was informed of the advance of Contades' Army towards his positions. He had to abandon his design against Jülich and recalled the corps of the Hereditary Prince which was posted at Kirchherten, 11 km to the southwest of Grevenbroich and Holstein's cavalry which was posted at Titz. He planned to wait for the arrival of the British contingent before offering battle.
In the morning, the French vanguard made itself master of the passage of Pfaffenmütze on the Erft near Neubrück which had, by mistake, been left insufficiently defended.
Around noon, Contades' vanguard (his cavalry and 20 bns) reached the Gommershoven, to the northeast of Bedburg. From there, one could see Allied troops on the height of the Welchenberg, 4 km away. Contades ordered his vanguard to halt and then marched with the main body to join it. A battle seemed unavoidable.
Lieutenant-General Chevert urged Contades to attack the Allies but the latter decided to postpone the battle to the next day.
After crossing the Erft, Ferdinand intended to surprise Contades on the march. However, the roads were almost impracticable because of the heavy rain of the last days.
Ferdinand gave orders to the Duke of Holstein's cavalry, which was posted on his right wing to advance and occupy the heights while his army would follow. Ferdinand personally rode with a few sqns to reconnoitre. As he got close to the height of Gommershoven, he saw some cavalry units. He decided to immediately attack them. He tried to locate Holstein's cavalry but it had not yet reached its new positions. Meanwhile, new French units reinforced the vanguard at Gommershoven. Finally, Ferdinand canceled the attack but remained in order of battle a few km in front of Contades' Army.
Around 11:00 p.m., Ferdinand retired towards Neuss.
As Contades prepared to give battle, he realised that Ferdinand's Army had already retired.
The corps of the Marquis d'Armentières pursued the retiring Allies but was repulsed.
In the morning, Ferdinand's Army crossed the Erft unmolested to the southwest of Neuss and encamped near this town.
At daybreak, Ferdinand ordered the Hereditary Prince to recapture the passage of Pfaffenmütze. The position was rapidly taken, thus depriving the French from an easy passage across the Erft to renew their attack against the Allies.
Light troops were sent across the Erft to harass the camp of the Allies while the main body of Contades' Army retired to the positions of Grevenbroich which had been evacuated by the Allies two days before.
Around 3:00 p.m., the Allies evacuated Roermond and marched towards Dülken.
In the evening, Ferdinand decided to make a new attempt to engage battle against Contades' Army near Grevenbroich.
Ferdinand moved his headquarters to Bedburdyck on the left bank of the Erft with his right wing on the height of this village and his left wing near Neubrück. Strong detachments occupied the crossings of the Erft downstream towards Neuss.
The advanced guard led by the Hereditary Prince engaged a large French detachment. The Allies finally forced this detachment to retired, capturing 5 guns, 4 standards and several prisoners.
Ferdinand then resolved to move closer to the Meuse to ease the supply of his army. Before doing so, he sent a reinforcement of 2,000 men (regulars and light troops) to the garrison of Düsseldorf which would be quite isolated, and detached Colonel Linstow with 8 grenadier coys to recapture Roermond.
A British contingent destined to reinforce the Allied army embarked at Gravesend. Indeed, the successes of Frederick II at Rossbach during the previous year and those of Ferdinand in Hanover since January had enticed the British government to send these reinforcements. This British contingent consisted of:
Royal Horse Guards aka "The Blues" (3 sqns)
1st (The King's) Dragoon Guards (3 sqns) under the command of Bland
3rd Dragoon Guards (2 sqns) under the command of Howard
2nd Royal North British Dragoons (2 sqns) under the command of Campbell
6th Inniskilling Dragoons (2 sqns)
10th Mordaunt's Dragoons (2 sqns)
Infantry (previously embarked at Cowes before joining the contingent at sea)
12th Napier's Foot (1 bn)
20th Kingsley's Foot (1 bn)
23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers (1 bn)
25th Edinburgh's Foot (1 bn) under the command of William Home
37th Stuart's Foot (1 bn)
Royal Regiment of Artillery (2 coys)
The French remained in their old camp at Frauweiler (a village which has disappeared in 1970 due to coal mining) on the other bank of the river.
Contades' Army marched to Holzweiler and Keyenberg at the source of the Niers.
Ferdinand sent small detachments to the left bank of the Rur to observe the French.
Ferdinand moved from Wassenberg closer to the Meuse and encamped between Roermond and Schwalm where he was informed of the defeat of Prince Ysenburg at the hands of Soubise at Sandershausen near Kassel on July 23. Nevertheless, he resolved to remain in the region of the Meuse for as long as possible. He still hoped that, if the British reinforcements arrived in time, he could maintain his positions on the left bank of the Rhine.
Ferdinand immediately ordered the Hereditary Prince to dislodge the French from Brüggen.
Contades' Army marched to Erkelenz, only 9 km from Ferdinand's camp at Wassenberg.
From Wassenberg, Contades sent Comte de Saint-Germain with 30 grenadier coys and some cavalry to guard the passages over the Niers River down to Geldern, thus cutting Ferdinand's line of communication with the Rhine.
The French reserve under the command of the Duc de Chevreuse marched to Neuss.
Ferdinand's Army marched to Roermond where it encamped.
Ferdinand also detached Wangenheim eastwards to make himself master of Brüggen on the Schwalm. However, a French detachment already occupied the town and Wangenheim halted at Elmpt.
Contades still intended to cut the line of retreat of the Allies towards the Rhine. Accordingly, he advanced northwards from Erkelenz up to Rheindahlen. leaving a detachment at Wachtendonk to occupy the passage over the Niers.
Chevert set off from Cologne with a force of approx. 4,500 men (8 bns, a few grenadier coys, 4 dragoon sqns, a few hussars and some artillery). He crossed the Rhine on his way to Düsseldorf.
Ferdinand detached the Hereditary Prince with 6 bns and 6 sqns to reinforce Wangenheim at Elmpt. Wangenhein then dislodged the French from Brüggen and occupied the town. Ferdinand now had a line of communication along the Meuse to the Rhine.
Ferdinand canceled his plan to send two large transports on the Meuse from Venlo with supplies for his army.
Contades established his headquarters at Dalheim.
Chevert appeared in front of Düsseldorf. He summoned the commandant of the place, General von Hardenberg, to surrender but the latter refused. Chevert then simulated preparations for the siege of this city.
The lines of communication of the Allied army were now threatened. Ferdinand, who was already lacking provisions, heard about Chevert's attempt against Düsseldorf, he feared for his bridges and for the isolated British contingent . He resolved to offer battle.
The French Counter-Offensive
Chevert left Düsseldorf.
The British contingent arrived in Oldersum Bay 10 km above Emden.
While the Allies thought that Chevert was making preparations for the siege of Düsseldorf, he suddenly set off in the direction of Wesel. At Duisburg, he turned right and crossed the Ruhr at Mülheim.
Contades' vanguard marched northwards from Rhein-Dahlen to Dülken.
Imhoff recalled Zastrow and his 2 bns from the left bank of the Rhine. The latter had already assembled his small force at Rheinberg.
Confrontation near Dülken
The Allies bumped into Contades' vanguard to the southwest of Dülken and drove it back.
Contades stopped at Gladbach. He was still unwilling to risk everything in a battle and retired to his previous positions on the Erft around Gommershoven.
The Allies encamped on the heights near Dülken.
Early in the morning, the Allies were under arms but when Ferdinand realised that Contades would not engage into a battle, with his provisions running low, he decided to retire towards his bridges on the Rhine.
At 10:00 a.m., Ferdinand's Army retired to Kaldenkirchen in the direction of the Meuse River. The Hereditary Prince led the vanguard while the Duke of Holstein with his 15 Prussian sqns and the light cavalry covered the march. When he reached Kaldenkirchen, Ferdinand turned sharply northeastwards.
In the evening, the Hereditary Prince reached Wachtendonk in the Niers Valley with the vanguard. The unfortified town, which was occupied by some 500 French,was easy to defend, being located on an island surrounded by the Niers. The grenadiers of the Allied vanguard advanced under the fire of the French defenders while the Hereditary Prince forded the Niers with a few grenadier coys. They were quickly followed by a party of Hessian dragoons. When the French realised that the Allies were also threatening their rear, they evacuated the town after having destroyed the bridges. Ferdinand had gained a passage across the Niers with the loss of 1 man killed and 1 wounded.
In the evening, Ferdinand's Army marched to Wachtendonk while the vanguard occupied the town. Holstein-Gottorp's Corps formed the rearguard of the Allied army.
The British contingent, under the command of the Duke of Marlborough, completed its disembarkation near Emden (to the exception of the 2nd Royal North British Dragoons who were detained at sea by contrary winds) and went into cantonments.
The French managed to break the bridge of the Allies at Düsseldorf with heavily loaded vessels launched from upstream.
Late in the evening, Chevert's Corps reached Wesel, after having forded the Ruhr and the Lippe. At Wesel, it was reinforced with 2 bns and a few hundreds militia and volunteers, bringing its total force to approx. 6,500 men and 12 heavy guns. However, by the time, Chevert had integrated these reinforcements into his corps, it was too late to consider a night attack as it had been initially planned.
Early in the morning, Ferdinand's Army crossed the Niers at Wachtendonk. In the afternoon, it reached Rheinberg unmolested.
The rearguard led by the Prince of Holstein-Gottorp was at Clostercamp.
At 6:00 p.m., Imhoff, who had only 4 bns and 4 sqns, was informed that a French force reinforced by the garrison of Wesel was to pass the Lippe over 3 bridges and marched during the night with much artillery towards Rees to seize this place and burn the bridge. Imhoff decamped with all his force to cover Rees.
During the evening, Ferdinand was informed that Chevert had crossed the Lippe near Wesel with 12 to 14 bns and more than 14 sqns (in fact Chevert's Corps was not as strong as reported), intending to attack Imhoff who was covering the bridges of Rees from Mehr. Due to the extraordinary overflowing of the Rhine, the bridge at Rees was by now impassable.
Zastrow managed to cross the Rhine in boats at Spyck with his 2 bns (Stolzenberg and Hessian Erbprinz) and marched to effect a junction with Imhoff's detachment.
Ferdinand detached General von Wangenheim with 3 bns and 4 sqns to reinforce Imhoff at Mehr. However, the Rhine was still quite high and the bridges were momentarily unusable. Wangenheim had to stop at Xanten.
The British contingent marched from Emden to Loro (probably Leer in Ostfriesland) where it encamped. Brudenell's regiment (51st Foot), which had been on garrison duty in Emden for 16 weeks, joined the British contingent. Garrison duty in Emden was assumed by 400 Invalids recently arrived from Great Britain.
Zastrow made a junction with Imhoff's Corps. Imhoff did not spot any French troops near Rees and resolved to move back to his camp at Mehr. At 6:00 p.m., he began his march and reached Mehr. His advanced guards were no sooner posted that they they were engaged by an important French force (10,000 men) advancing from Wesel under the command of Lieutenant-General Chevert assisted by MM. de Voyer and de Chavigny. Imhoff decided to attack the French with his 3,000 men despite their superior forces. During the Combat of Mehr, Chevert was repulsed, loosing some 408 men captured, 400 killed or wounded and 11 guns. The bridge at Rees had been saved.
Contades' Army marched from the region of Rheindahlen in the direction of Wesel.
Ferdinand initially intended to cross the Rhine at Rheinberg but the prodigious flood of the river made it impossible. Furthermore, the bridges at Rees were still impassable. Ferdinand now feared that Soubise's corps (27,000 men) could attack the recently landed British contingent (12,000 men). He also realised that the capture of his bridge at Rees would have blocked him on the left bank of the Rhine. Accordingly, he marched with the main Allied army from Rheinberg to Xanten while the rearguard under Holstein-Gottorp occupied Sonsbeck.
Wangenheim crossed the Rhine with 3 bns and 4 sqns aboard flat-bottom boats and effected a junction with Imhoff's detachment on the right bank.
Contades' Army reached Krefeld.
Ferdinand rested his army for a day. The high level of the Rhine had made the bridges at Rees unusable and Ferdinand gave orders to dismantle them and to re-establish them near Griethausen to the northeast of Kleve.
The British contingent marched from Leer to Meppax (probably Meppen).
Detachments of French cavalry started to advance downstream along the Rhine.
In Hesse, the Württemberger Contingent (about 6,300 men) formed a junction with Soubise's Army at Kassel.
The main Allied army marched by way of Kalkar and arrived at the Castle of Moyland while the rearguard reached Kleve.
The bridge at Rees was broken down and work started on two new bridges.
The British contingent marched from Meppen to Lingen.
In the morning, the French made an attempt to destroy Ferdinand's bridges with 4 specially designed boats launched downriver from Wesel. However, all these boats were destroyed or taken by armed barks before they could put their design to execution.
Ferdinand's Army reached the vicinity of Griethausen
Dragoons (4 sqns)
Baggage of the headquarters
Sick of the army
Army in 4 divisions
Baggage of the army
Rearguard
Ferdinand's Army completed with great difficulty the crossing of the Rhine. After the dismantling of the bridge, its components were transported downstream into the Pannerden Canal belonging to the Dutch Republic.
General von Hardenberg evacuated Düsseldorf after throwing his guns and ammunition into the Rhine and retired towards Lippstadt.
The British contingent marched from Lingen to Bentheim.
Contades' Army reached Alpen where Contades issued instructions to establish a bridge on the Rhine.
Contades' vanguard under Lieutenant-General d'Armentières reached Kleve.
Düsseldorf was occupied shortly after the departure of Hardenberg.
Contades' Army started to cross the Rhine, encamping on the banks of the Lippe.
To prepare the junction with the British contingent, Ferdinand sent General Imhoff (11 bns and 10 sqns) to Bocholt, General Oberg to Praest near Emmerich and General Urff with a brigade at Werth to support Imhoff.
The main Allied army encamped at Millingen
A storm broke the bridges that the French had erected over the Rhine, delaying Contades.
The British contingent marched to Ahaus. Heavy rain then delayed the advance of this corps for several days.
By August 18
The French army was encamped on the heath near Wesel.
Ferdinand arrived at Coesfeld where he established his headquarters, sending his advance guard to Dülmen.
Contades' Army, after much delay caused by the destruction of its bridge, finally managed to cross to the right bank of the Rhine.
Hardenberg's Corps reached Lippstadt which it occupied.
Contades advanced from Wesel to Schermbeck.
Ferdinand's Army finally made a junction with the British contingent at Coesfeld. Ferdinand was now at the head of 46 bns and 73 sqns for a total of approx. 40,000 men.
The Duke of Holstein was sent to the Lippe with his Prussian cavalry.
Ferdinand was now on the defensive, trying to stop a new French offensive in Westphalia.
This article is essentially a compilation of texts from the following books which are now in the public domain:
Anonymous: A Complete History of the Present War, from its Commencement in 1756, to the End of the Campaign, 1760, London, 1761, pp. 247, 256-260, 296-306
Archenholz, J. W.: The History of the Seven Years War in Germany, translated by F. A. Catty, Francfort, 1843, pp. 209-229
Carlyle, T.: History of Friedrich II of Prussia, vol. 18
Clowes, Wm. Laird: The Royal Navy – A History from the Earliest Time to the Present, Vol. III, Sampson Low, Marston and Company, London: 1898, pp. 173, 190
Grosser Generalstab Kriegsgeschichtliche Abteilung II: Die Kriege Friedrichs des Grossen Part 3 Der siebenjährige Krieg 1756-1763
Vol. 7 Olmütz und Crefeld, Berlin, 1909, pp. 151-168
Vol. 8 Zorndorf und Hochkirch, Berlin, 1910, pp. 353-370, 375-378
Hotham (probably): The operations of the Allied Amy under the command of his Serene Highness Prince Ferdinand Duke of Brunswic and Luneberg beginning in the year 1757 and ending in the year 1762, London: T. Jefferies, 1764, pp. 35-60
Jomini, Henri: Traité des grandes opérations militaires, 2ème édition, 2ème partie, Magimel, Paris: 1811, pp. 8-29, 39-45
Schuster, O. and F. Francke: Geschichte der Sächsischen Armee, 2. part, Leipzig 1885
Tory, J.: A Journal of the Allied army's marches from the first arrival of the British troops in Germany to the present time, J. W. Kisling, Osnabruck, 1762, pp. 1-5
Barnes, David, Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick and Luneburg - Seven Years War General, XVIIIth Century Military Notes and Queries, No. 10
Horse and Musket Users Group
Rogge, Christian, The French & Allied Armies in Germany during the Seven Years War, Frankfurt, 2006
Salisch, M. von: Treue Deserteure – Das kursächsische Militär und der Siebenjährige Krieg, Munich, 2009
Vial J. L., Nec Pluribus Impar
Harald Skala for information on the Saxon Army during this period
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