Battle of Wevelinghoven
| date | June 4th jul. / June 14, 1648 greg. |
|---|---|
| place | Wevelinghoven |
| output | Defeat of the imperial |
| Parties to the conflict | |
|---|---|
| Commander | |
| Troop strength | |
| 7,000 men 11 guns |
3,600 men 5 guns |
The Battle of Wevelinghoven (also Battle of Grevenbroich ) was the last battle of the Thirty Years War . It took place on June 14, 1648 between imperial and Hessian troops. In some sources, the Julian date appears, June 4th.
prehistory
The Hessians under General Johann von Geyso were stationed in Neuss as an occupying force . To the south of it, in the Electorate of Cologne, the imperial forces were under Field Marshal Guillaume de Lamboy . The Duchy of Jülich-Berg was neutral. When Hessian troops moved in the direction of Grevenbroich , which belonged to Jülich, Duke Wolfgang Wilhelm feared that an occupation of Grevenbroich by the Hessians would be used by the imperial family to declare the neutrality of Jülich-Berg null and void. He asked Geyso for an explanation that Grevenbroich would be spared. The Hessians renounced an occupation of Grevenbroich and camped near Wevelinghoven to withdraw to Neuss.
The battle
Lamboy moved up with 7,000 men and stood in front of the Hessian camp on June 13th. However, they did not pose for battle, but withdrew to a previously set up camp between Grevenbroich and Wevelinghoven to cross the Erft in the direction of Neuss. The imperial followed to cut off their retreat and supplies. Geyso, however, guessed this intention and awaited the Imperial forces in battle formation. At 5:00 a.m. on June 14, the two armies clashed. Despite almost double superiority, the imperial had to withdraw after five hours of fighting. 1500 men were taken prisoner and 1000 died. The losses of the Hessen are given as 163. Six cannons were captured.
consequences
The lost battle caused Emperor Ferdinand III. to further concessions in the peace negotiations that have been going on for some time in Münster and Osnabrück. These finally came to an end in the Peace of Westphalia .
