Key Facts
- Duration
- 77 days (9 Sep – 25 Nov 1704)
- Allied casualties
- 9,322 of all types
- Garrison strength (pre-reinforcement)
- ~5,000 men
- Imperial besieging force
- ~40,000 men
- Garrison casualties at capitulation
- 2,600–5,000 killed, wounded, or sick
Strategic Narrative Overview
Following the Allied triumph at Blenheim on 13 August 1704, Margrave Louis of Baden's Imperial army—augmented by Austrian, Prussian, and Kreistruppen contingents—began investing Landau on 9 September. Marlborough and Eugene of Savoy held covering positions on the Lauter to prevent French relief. Artillery shortfalls were partly offset by guns captured at Ulm, enabling a sustained bombardment. The garrison, blinded commander Laubanie included, launched sorties but could not prevent progressive Allied gains.
01 / The Origins
The siege took place within the broader War of the Spanish Succession, a conflict over control of the Spanish throne that pitted France and its allies against the Grand Alliance of England, the Dutch Republic, Austria, and other European powers. Landau, a fortified town on the Rhine frontier, had already changed hands twice in the war and held strategic importance for controlling movement between France and the Holy Roman Empire.
03 / The Outcome
With the covered way lost and flood defences destroyed, Laubanie convened a council of officers on 23 November 1704 and beat the chamade. The garrison surrendered on 25 November and marched out the following day. Imperial forces entered Landau on 28 November. Both sides suffered heavy losses, with over 9,000 Allied casualties and up to 5,000 defenders killed, wounded, or sick by the capitulation.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Margrave Louis of Baden, Joseph, King of the Romans, Duke of Marlborough, Prince Eugene of Savoy.
Side B
1 belligerent
Lt. Gen. Yrieix Masgontier de Laubanie, Duc de Villeroy.
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.