Ramillies, Battle of

During the War of the Spanish Succession, English and Dutch victory under the Duke of Marlborough over the French on 23 May 1706, near Ramillies, 19 km/12 mi north of Namur, Belgium. The French lost all their artillery and some 15,000 casualties; English and Dutch losses were fewer than 4,000.

The French lined up with their centre on Ramillies village, infantry in the centre and cavalry on the wings. The English and Dutch adopted a similar plan, and the battle began by their attacking the French left, the troops having to wade through marshland to reach their targets. Dutch cavalry then attacked in the centre but were thrown back with severe casualties. Next, Marlborough directed the Dutch infantry to attack a small village on the French right flank, and as the French strengthened their flank to meet this threat, threw the English infantry at the centre. They charged, broke through the French line, and entered the village. The Dutch now wheeled and most of the French were caught between the Dutch and the English, at which they broke and fled the battle.