Battle of Altenheim

The Battle of Altenheim took place on 1 August 1675 during the 1672-1678 Franco-Dutch War near Altenheim, in modern Baden-Württemberg. It was fought by a French army of 20,000, jointly commanded by the Marquis de Vaubrun and the Comte de Lorges, and an Imperial Army of 30,000 under Raimondo Montecuccoli.

After two months of manoeuvring, the previous French commander, Marshall Turenne, had managed to create an opportunity to attack the Imperial army. While reviewing his position on 27 July, he was killed by a cannon shot; he had not appointed a successor, and the French army was paralysed as de Lorges and Vaubrun argued over command.

On 31 July, the French withdrew over the Rhine, using the bridge at Altenheim, but only part of the army managed to cross, leaving the majority on the German side. As they resumed crossing on 1 August, the Imperial army attacked, and at one point cut off their retreat by capturing Altenheim.

A series of charges by the French cavalry recaptured the bridge, in one of which Vaubrun was killed; the battle ended late in the day, both sides suffering heavy casualties. Although the French saved their army, they lost the initiative established by Turenne.