Denain 1712

Category: Battle

Villars took advantage to launch a bayonet attack on a portion of Eugene's army. First, he gave the Austrians and Dutch a taste of his 12-pounders. Next, he filled the field with snipers, and Eugene's troops were devastated. Villars launched his attack, and the French troops descended upon the enemy. Thousands fell to the bayonet and chaos filled the scene. Eugene was outnumbered and smoke was covering his troops and they were firing among themselves. Austrians on the right flank were cut to pieces and slaughtered. The Dutch had the worst fate. There was a terrible carnage in their lines and the French splintered into them, with heavy casualties. The attack however, was repulsed by the reserves and the battered remains of the main army. The attack was followed by three counterattacks by the Austrians. They were torn apart, and the French advanced, pushing them into the river.

About 18,000 Austrian and Dutch soldiers were either killed in battle or drowned, at the cost of 5,000 French troops.