A French victory during the Flanders Campaign forced Dutch withdrawal from Menen, though France lost the city two days later at Courtrai.
Key Facts
- French force size
- 30,000 men
- Coalition force size
- 13,000 men
- Battle dates
- 12–13 September 1793
- Notable casualty
- Prince Frederick wounded in shoulder
- French commander
- Jean Nicolas Houchard
- Houchard's fate
- Charged with treason and executed
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Following his victory at the Battle of Hondschoote, French commander Jean Nicolas Houchard sought to exploit his momentum by turning against the Dutch forces defending Menen along the Franco-Belgian border. Approximately 27,000 French troops advanced from two directions — northward from Lille and eastward along the north bank of the Leie River toward Wervik and Menen.
On 12–13 September 1793, around 30,000 French troops of the Army of the North clashed with 13,000 Coalition forces comprising the Dutch Veldleger under William, Hereditary Prince of Orange, and Prince Frederick of Orange-Nassau, supported by Austrian cavalry under Pál Kray. After holding firm on 12 September, the Dutch were defeated on 13 September and forced to withdraw to Deinze, with Prince Frederick among the wounded.
Although France secured a tactical victory at Wervik and Menen, the gains were short-lived; two days later, Austrian forces under Beaulieu defeated the French at the Battle of Courtrai, compelling them to abandon Menen. Despite his recent successes, Houchard was subsequently charged with treason and executed by the French revolutionary government.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Jean Nicolas Houchard.
Side B
2 belligerents
William, Hereditary Prince of Orange, Prince Frederick of Orange-Nassau, Pál Kray, Johann Peter Beaulieu.