de Villars

Last stage of the lightning reconquest of 1712, Bouchain is encircled shortly after the fall of Le Quesnoy. Well fortified and recently taken by the Allies the previous year, the town is nevertheless isolated after Denain. Villars launches a rapid siege, capitalizing on the collapse of enemy morale. The garrison surrenders after two days, exhausted and without hope of relief.

Capitalizing on the crushing victory at Denain, Villars launches a rapid counter-offensive to retake places lost the previous year. Douai, heavily fortified, is encircled in early August. Despite Imperial relief attempts, the garrison is isolated. The French conduct a rigorous siege with bombardments and saps. The town capitulates after a month.

After the recapture of Douai, Villars continues his lightning offensive in Flanders and lays siege to Le Quesnoy, another key fortress. Imperial forces, caught off guard and isolated, can hope for no relief. The siege is methodical, and the town capitulates quickly after a breach is opened in the ramparts.

The Battle of Bitonto is a decisive victory for Franco-Spanish forces in southern Italy. Under Villars's command, the combined army attacks Austrian troops defending the town of Bitonto. After intense fighting, the Austrians are defeated and forced to withdraw, allowing the Bourbons to consolidate their control over the Kingdom of Naples.

The siege of Gaeta is one of the last major military operations of the War of the Polish Succession. The fortress, held by the Austrians, is besieged by Franco-Spanish forces under Marshal de Villars. After long resistance and several sortie attempts, the garrison finally capitulates in August 1735.