Battle of Wissembourg
French Revolutionary Wars · Wissembourg, Alsace, France
Summary
From 26 to 29 December 1793, Lazare Hoche, commanding the combined Armies of the Rhine and Moselle, defeated Wurmser and Brunswick's coalition at Wissembourg and on the Geisberg plateau, liberating Alsace and relieving the siege of Landau.
Historical context
Appointed supreme commander on 25 December at Soultz-sous-Forêts after the victory at Wœrth-Froeschwiller, Hoche exploited surprise: the Austro-Prussians recrossed the Lauter while he too planned an offensive toward Wissembourg.
Tactics
Hoche deployed Desaix on Lauterbourg, Michaud on Schleithal, and Ferino in the center against Wissembourg, with a diversion by Moreaux toward Kaiserslautern; on the 29th, Ferino and Hatry repulsed the surprised Austrian vanguard on the Geisberg with the cry of 'Landau or death.'
Consequences
On 30 December, Wurmser recrossed the Rhine at Philippsburg and Brunswick withdrew toward Mainz; relieving Landau and reconquering Alsace caused a lasting rift between Austrians and Prussians, who blamed each other for the defeat.