The British Army emerged from the crisis of revolution and civil war that had given it birth with a distinctive military doctrine based on movement, firepower, and aggression. But realising its potential required a master of war in the Army’s own image.
Below is a map depicting the Storming of the Schellenberg, 2 July 1704. The weight and determination of Marlborough’s attack on the summit of the hill ‘fixed’ the Bavarian defence, allowing Prince Louis of Baden’s Imperialists to break through a weakly defended sector on the right and turn the enemy flank.
Above, a map of the Battle of Blenheim itself, on 13 August 1704, showing the dispositions of the opposing forces after the Allied deployment was completed shortly after midday and immediately prior to the commencement of the attack.
In both maps the British forces are shown in red, Allies in black, and the Bavarian (and French) forces in blue.
This article is from the September 2011 issue of Military History Matters. To find out more about the magazine and how to subscribe, click here.
