First Battle of Wissembourg
French Revolutionary Wars · Wissembourg, Alsace, France
Summary
On 13 October 1793, Wurmser launched a general attack on the Wissembourg lines defended by Carlenc's Army of the Rhine; the coalition broke through the front and forced the French to evacuate their positions toward Haguenau.
Historical context
In the War of the First Coalition, the fortified lines behind the Lauter were attacked at dawn by six Austro-Prussian columns, including a turning movement by the Duke of Brunswick via Lembach and another by Waldeck at Seltz.
Tactics
Wurmser concentrated the frontal assault on Wissembourg while Brunswick turned the French left through the Vosges passes and Waldeck threatened the right flank; Condé's émigrés seized Wissembourg on 13 October, forcing a disorderly retreat.
Consequences
Carlenc was arrested and replaced by Pichegru; Fort Louis was besieged and capitulated on 14 November, while sending the Army of the Moselle under Hoche prepared the French December reconquest in the Second Battle of Wissembourg.