Siege of Lille (1708)
| Siege of Lille | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the War of the Spanish Succession | |||||||
Siege of Lille in 1708 | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
|
United Provinces Great Britain Habsburg Austria |
France Pro Bourbon Spain Bavaria | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
Besieging force Eugene Orange Covering force Marlborough Ouwerkerk # Tilly |
Garrison Boufflers Field army Vendôme Burgundy Berwick Maximilian II | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
|
35,000 besiegers, 120 heavy guns 80 heavy mortars 75,000 in vicinity |
16,000 garrison, 159 guns 100,000 in vicinity | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 13,000-16,000 killed and wounded |
7,000 killed and wounded 159 guns | ||||||
_-_The_Siege_of_Lille_-_RCIN_407182_-_Royal_Collection.jpg){kind=link}
The siege of Lille (12 August – 10 December 1708) was the main operation of the 1708 campaign season during the War of the Spanish Succession. Following their victory in the Battle of Oudenaarde, the Allies decided to besiege Lille, an important French city and perhaps the strongest fortress in Europe. After an obstinate defence of 120 days, the French garrison surrendered the city and citadel of Lille, commanded by Marshal Boufflers, to the forces of the Duke of Marlborough and Prince Eugene.