Battle of Konzer Brucke

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Battle of Konzer Brucke


caption=
partof=the Franco-Dutch War
date=August 11, 1675
place=Konz, near Trier present-day Germany
result=Imperial victory
combatant1= Kingdom of France
combatant2=
commander1=François de Créquy
commander2=Charles, Duke of Lorraine
Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg
Otto Caretto de Grana
strength1=15,000 men
strength2=20,000 men
casualties1=2,000 killed, 1,600 wounded, 11 guns and 200 wagons
casualties2=1,000 killed

The Battle of Konzer Brucke was fought as part of the Franco-Dutch War on August 11, 1675 and resulted in an Imperial victory.

Prelude

in 1675 Montecuccoli and Turenne had been manoeuvering between Philipsburg and Strassburg for an advantage, each seeking to cover his own country and to live upon that of the enemy. At last Turenne prevailed and had the Imperialists at a disadvantage on the Sasbach, where, in opening the action, he was killed by a cannon-shot (July 27th).

Devastated by the loss of their commander, the French hastily surrendered all their advantages, and Montecucculi sharply following up their retreat, and drove them over the Rhine and almost to the Vosges.

At the same time the Imperial forces under Charles IV, Duke of Lorraine were besieging Trier, which Turenne had taken in the autumn of 1673.

The Battle

Créquy was sent with 15,000 men and 11 guns to relieve the city.
They were stopped at the bridge over the Saar River at Konz.

The Imperialists sent a force under Otto de Grana to occupy what is today known as the "Grana-heights". Another force crossed the bridge at Konz and a third force crossed the river over a pontoon bridge.They attacked the French camp and an undecisive battle raged for three hours. Then Otto de Grana engaged his right flank on the right moment and the French fled the battlefield, leaving behind all their guns and wagons. The Germans pursued the French over 50 kilometers.

Créquy made his way into Trier to assume command, but was forced to surrender on September 9.

On the battlefield a "Grana-memorial" was erected in 1892 under Wilhelm II, not honouring Otto de Grana, but glorifying unified Germany.

External links

* [http://web.infinito.it/utenti/f/francots/ass/coalizi5.htm Battles of the Franco-Dutch War (Italian)]