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war1799

Battle of the Coalition Wars, 1799

December 3, 1799

Austrian forces under Sztáray defeated the French at Wiesloch, clearing the Rhine's right bank and relieving the besieged fortress of Philippsburg.

Quick Facts

Year
1799
Category
war

Key Facts

Date
3 December 1799
Conflict
War of the Second Coalition
Austrian Commander
Lt. Field Marshal Anton Count Sztáray
Overall Austrian C-in-C
Archduke Charles, Duke of Teschen
Strategic result
French driven from right bank of the Rhine
Fortress relieved
Philippsburg

Location

Map of Wiesloch, GermanyMap of Wiesloch, GermanyWiesloch, Germany

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

During the War of the Second Coalition, Austrian forces in Swabia under Archduke Charles sought to secure their flanks along the Rhine. Lieutenant Field Marshal Sztáray commanded the far right wing tasked with protecting the main army and addressing French pressure on the right bank of the river.

Event

On 3 December 1799, Sztáray's Austrian force engaged French troops near Wiesloch in present-day Baden-Württemberg. The Austrians achieved a decisive local victory, defeating the French contingent holding positions on the right bank of the Rhine.

Consequence

Following their defeat at Wiesloch, French forces were expelled from the right bank of the Rhine. The Austrian victory also relieved the garrison at the strategically important fortress of Philippsburg, improving Austrian control of the region during the ongoing Coalition campaign.

Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis

Side A

1 belligerent

Austria (Habsburg Monarchy)
Key Commanders

Anton Count Sztáray de Nagy-Mihaly, Archduke Charles, Duke of Teschen.

Side B

1 belligerent

French Republic
Outcome
Austrian victory; French driven from the right bank of the Rhine; Philippsburg fortress relieved

Timeline Context

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