may06 Battle of Ramillies

The Battle of Ramillies took place on 23 rd May 1706, about 15 Km North of Namur in Belgium . The Duke of Marlborough commanding the English, Dutch, Danish and Imperial forces attacked Marshal Duke Francois de Villeroi commanding the French and Bavarians.

Marshall Villeroi had been ordered to force a battle with Marlborough , who had in fact been trying to engage Villeroi since the Autumn of 1705. The two armies virtually stumbled into each other near Ramillies.

Neither side had a great numerical advantage. Marlborough 's forces consisted of about 62,000 men (74 infantry battalions, 123 cavalry squadrons and 120 guns) and Villeroi had 60,000 (70 battalions, 132 squadrons and 70 guns).

Marlborough began with an attack with his English forces under Lord Orkney on the village of Autre-Eglise on his right flank, across difficult ground. This may have been a feint to draw the French from the centre, Villeroi having been warned by King Louis to take care of the area where the English were strongest. Meanwhile on the Allies' left flank the French cavalry, including the household troops, were gaining the advantage. Under cover of the smoke of battle and favourable terrain, Marlborough moved infantry and cavalry from his right flank and drove the French back, rolling up their line. His main infantry assault then went in on the centre at Ramillies.

Casualties were about 5,000 for the allies and 7,000 for the Franco-Bavarians, and about 8,000 prisoners taken. Marlborough went on to overrun the Spanish Netherlands and Villeroi was replaced by Marshall Vendome .

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