Battle of Konzer Brücke

In 1675 Montecuccoli and Turenne had been manoeuvering between Philippsburg and Strassburg for an advantage, each seeking to cover his own country and to live upon that of the enemy. At last Turenne prevailed and had the Imperialists at a disadvantage on the Sasbach, where, in opening the action, he was killed by a cannon-shot (27 July).

Devastated by the loss of their commander, the French hastily surrendered all their advantages, and Montecucculi sharply following up their retreat, and drove them over the Rhine and almost to the Vosges.

At the same time the Imperial forces under Charles IV, Duke of Lorraine were besieging Trier, which Turenne had taken in the autumn of 1673.

Discover more about Prelude related topics

Raimondo Montecuccoli

Raimondo Montecuccoli

Raimondo Montecuccoli was an Italian-born professional soldier, military theorist, and diplomat, who served the Habsburg monarchy.

Philippsburg

Philippsburg

Philippsburg is a town in the district of Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.

Sasbach (Ortenau)

Sasbach (Ortenau)

Sasbach is a municipality in the district of Ortenau in Western Baden-Württemberg, Germany.

Holy Roman Empire

Holy Roman Empire

The Holy Roman Empire was a political entity in Western, Central, and Southern Europe that developed during the Early Middle Ages and continued until its dissolution in 1806 during the Napoleonic Wars.

Charles IV, Duke of Lorraine

Charles IV, Duke of Lorraine

Charles IV was Duke of Lorraine from 1624 until his death in 1675, with a brief interruption in 1634, when he abdicated under French pressure in favor of his younger brother, Nicholas Francis.

Créquy was sent with 14,000 men and 11 guns to relieve the city.^[1] They were stopped at the bridge over the Saar River at Konz.

The Imperialists sent a force under Ottone Enrico Del Carretto, marquis of Grana, to occupy what is today known as the Grana-heights. Another force crossed the bridge at Konz and a third force crossed the river over a pontoon bridge. They attacked the French camp and an indecisive battle raged for three hours. Then Otto de Grana engaged his right flank on the right moment and the French fled the battlefield, leaving behind all their guns and wagons. The Germans pursued the French over 50 kilometers.

Créquy made his way into Trier to assume command, but was forced to surrender on 9 September.

On the battlefield a Grana-memorial was erected in 1892 under Wilhelm II, not honouring Otto de Grana, but glorifying unified Germany.