Fall of Ghent
Encyclopedia
The Fall of Ghent occurred on 15 July 1745 during the War of the Austrian Succession
when a 5,000 strong French
force under Ulrich Frédéric Woldemar, Comte de Lowendal
surprised and captured the town of Ghent
in the Austrian Netherlands. The Allied garrison offered little resistance.
Coming in the wake of the Battle of Fontenoy
, the loss of Ghent proved a shock to the Allies. The town had been used as a major base for the Pragmatic Army since it had assembled in 1742. It was extremely important as a supply base as its stores had been reserved and not used. A British regiment, including James Wolfe
, had left shortly before the fall of the town and narrowly avoided becoming prisoners of war. A column of 4,000 to 5,000 British, Hanoverian, Dutch and Austrian reinforcements sent by the Duke of Cumberland was defeated by the French at the Battle of Melle
with only some 1,000 men getting through to Ghent.
The city was fully invested and the town was seized on July 11. Lowendal opened the trenches and sapped towards the citadel. Without hope of relief or reinforcement and with Lowendal strengthened by 15,000 the garrison of the citadel was demoralised and fell to a coup de main
on July 15. Some 3,000 allied prisoners were taken as well as a vast quantity of mlitary stores. The following year the town was used as a staging point for a French advance which culminated in the Siege of Brussels.
War of the Austrian Succession
The War of the Austrian Succession – including King George's War in North America, the Anglo-Spanish War of Jenkins' Ear, and two of the three Silesian wars – involved most of the powers of Europe over the question of Maria Theresa's succession to the realms of the House of Habsburg.The...
when a 5,000 strong French
Kingdom of France
The Kingdom of France was one of the most powerful states to exist in Europe during the second millennium.It originated from the Western portion of the Frankish empire, and consolidated significant power and influence over the next thousand years. Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, developed a...
force under Ulrich Frédéric Woldemar, Comte de Lowendal
Ulrich Frédéric Woldemar, Comte de Lowendal
Ulrich Frédéric Woldemar, Comte de Lowendal was a German-born French soldier and statesmen. Born in Hamburg, he served in the armies of several countries, but is best known for his service in the French army during the War of the Austrian Succession. In the French campaign in the Austrian...
surprised and captured the town of Ghent
Ghent
Ghent is a city and a municipality located in the Flemish region of Belgium. It is the capital and biggest city of the East Flanders province. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Lys and in the Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of...
in the Austrian Netherlands. The Allied garrison offered little resistance.
Coming in the wake of the Battle of Fontenoy
Battle of Fontenoy
The Battle of Fontenoy, 11 May 1745, was a major engagement of the War of the Austrian Succession, fought between the forces of the Pragmatic Allies – comprising mainly Dutch, British, and Hanoverian troops under the nominal command of the Duke of Cumberland – and a French army under Maurice de...
, the loss of Ghent proved a shock to the Allies. The town had been used as a major base for the Pragmatic Army since it had assembled in 1742. It was extremely important as a supply base as its stores had been reserved and not used. A British regiment, including James Wolfe
James Wolfe
Major General James P. Wolfe was a British Army officer, known for his training reforms but remembered chiefly for his victory over the French in Canada...
, had left shortly before the fall of the town and narrowly avoided becoming prisoners of war. A column of 4,000 to 5,000 British, Hanoverian, Dutch and Austrian reinforcements sent by the Duke of Cumberland was defeated by the French at the Battle of Melle
Battle of Melle
The Battle of Melle was a small meeting engagement fought on 9 July 1745, during the War of the Austrian Succession, between forces of the Pragmatic Allies and the French following the battle of Fontenoy that would have serious consequences for the Pragmatic Army of the allies and Flanders...
with only some 1,000 men getting through to Ghent.
The city was fully invested and the town was seized on July 11. Lowendal opened the trenches and sapped towards the citadel. Without hope of relief or reinforcement and with Lowendal strengthened by 15,000 the garrison of the citadel was demoralised and fell to a coup de main
Coup de main
A coup de main is a swift attack that relies on speed and surprise to accomplish its objectives in a single blow. The United States Department of Defense defines it as:The literal translation from French means a stroke or blow of the hand...
on July 15. Some 3,000 allied prisoners were taken as well as a vast quantity of mlitary stores. The following year the town was used as a staging point for a French advance which culminated in the Siege of Brussels.