The situation in the French kingdom was not as good as it seemed. Canadian troops have been making … Seeing a well-ordinanced force on a hill, the Prince of Conde decided to avoid a futile blind attack and fall back to find supplies in La Bassee. On the other side, the Prince of Conde understood that a retreat in such conditions could lead to a disaster and decided to stop and face the incoming Spanish. In Paris the events started on 15 January when the parliament of Paris refused to sign seven tax edicts to finance the war. While others discover great convenience from contact lenses or believe they look more attractive in them. I was in the hospital for one week, in convalescence for one week, and in base camp for one week. Mounted to the base, which measures 6″ x 3 1/4,” is a jagged piece of shrapnel. The Battle of Lens was a French victory under Louis II de Bourbon, Prince de Condé against the Spanish army under Archduke Leopold Wilhelm in the Thirty Years' War. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. The total force is given as 18,000 men with 38 artillery guns. Lens : [Lens Battlefield 1917] Creator Subject World War, 1914-1918, World War, 1914-1918--France Description Sheet number: [36c SW]. The left wing was under the command of the Prince de Salms and the Count of Ligneville and was made of a first line of 12 cavalry squadrons and a second line of nine squadrons. The Spanish were halted by the strong resistance of French infantry of Picardy, Persan and Gardes Ecossaises, the attack of the squadrons of gendarmes and by the support of the French second line. The battle, in August 1917, gave the Allied forces a crucial strategic position overlooking the occupied city of Lens. The Allies had five regiments of foot, one medium cannon, one cuirassier regiment (two double squadrons) and four horse regiments (two squadrons each), along with four generals. In the following hours the French captured hundreds of Spanish including a wounded Baron of Beck. Jean Pierre Franque (1774-1802) French historical painter, Galerie des Batailles, Versailles. Lens is a fortified city in the historic region of Flanders, today a major city in the Pas-de-Calais department of northern France. In truth, there’s no right answer to the question of lens selection in this instance. Despite failing to achieve all of its goals, it was a remarkable success for the Canadian Corps. Then I was sent back up the line again. Edition number: 5. Finally, the superior organisation of the French cavalry took the upper hand and the Spanish cavalry started to step back and to abandon the battlefield. Home > England Football > SUMMER THROWBACK – THE BATTLE OF LENS. Spread the love. The total war imposed by Richelieu and by Mazarin had increased strongly the taxes to maintain the army. blue. The Spanish were deployed with a right wing of cavalry commanded by the Count of Bucquoy and the Prince de Ligne. Western Lens taken . Still in the centre, the second line had only six infantry battalions with two cavalry squadrons (guards of the Archduke and guards of Fuensaldana) between the lines. battle: Part of: Thirty Years' War: Location: Lens, canton of Lens-Est, arrondissement of Lens, Pas-de-Calais, Hauts-de-France, Metropolitan France, France : Point in time: 20 August 1648: 50° 25′ 48″ N, 2° 49′ 48″ E Edit: My bad, there is a small town called Lens in Belgium, but it's in Hainaut, which is part of Wallonia, not Flanders (unless one is speaking of ancient Flanders, which was a much wider region). England Football; Football; Gareth Bale; Sport; Summer Throwbacks; Wales Football; Wayne Rooney; by Stephen Cooper - June 16, 2020 June 16, 2020 0. World War 1. Attacked on the flank by Erlach and from the front by Conde the cavalry of Ligneville started to give ground step by step and in the end they ran away from the battlefield. Following Canovas del Castillo (Volume 2, 1888), when the first fighting started on the Spanish left the Spanish army had not finished its deployment, the cavalry was in place but some of the infantry was just arriving on the battlefield and the reserve squadrons were still on the hill in their original position. The Battle of Hill 70, 1917 The Canadian Corps captured Hill 70, near Lens, France, during the First World War. The campaign started really in May when the Prince of Conde moved to besiege the city of Ypres. The Lens battle was the most exciting day of my life because four times I escaped death by a hair's breadth. During sometime the French and Lorraine cavalry fought bravely but like at Rocroi, the cavalry of the French reserve managed to outflank their opponents. With such arrangements, the French moved forward to retake their previous positions. The battle between contact lenses vs. glasses may seem like a new concept. Battle of Lens 16/8/1917 Third Ypres: more failed attacks. The fighting at Hill 70 and Lens was no exception and the 100,000-strong Canadian Corps suffered some 9,200 casualties between August 15 and 25, 1917. Most photographers end up having both zooms and prime lenses as part of their gear. Lens is a fortified city in the historic region of Flanders, today a major city in the Pas-de-Calais region of northern France. ... tracks yellow; detail, grid, British trenches & names grey; German trenches, names & light railways red; enemy order of battle & dispositions (companies HQs etc.) A clear Spanish tactical defeat but the French could not press on, mainly due to the political instability in Paris and lack of men. In the Low Countries, the Spanish governor had instructions to take the offensive to distract the French from Catalonia. The Spanish army was larger, comprising 18,000 men (also more than half cavalry) and 38 guns. The soldiers on the left are scanning the sky for aircraft, while the soldier in the centre appears to be re-packing his gas respirator into the carrying pouch on his chest. Change ). The objectives of the assault were to inflict casualties and to draw German troops away from the … THE WAR OF THE SPANISH SUCCESSION – FRANCE, Prokhorovka – the unknown clash of the Great Patriotic War. This information is written on its marble base. The rebellion of the parliament of Paris called la fronde parlementaire (1648- 1649) was followed by the rebellion of the nobility (1650- 1653). The Germans were hit even harder, with as many as 25,000 of their soldiers being killed, wounded or taken prisoner during this period. All these photo lenses are beautiful pieces of engineering, but it has a "huge" cost. SUMMER THROWBACK – THE BATTLE OF LENS. Now that the front had calmed slightly and realising that the link between the 1st and 2nd Canadian Divisions was still precarious it was decided to withdraw slightly, from Norman Trench (The Green Line during the seizure of the hill) to a position 250 metres further … ( Log Out /  Battle of Hill 70 The Battle of Lens (20 August 1648) was a French victory under Louis II de Bourbon, Prince de Condé against the Spanish army under Archduke Leopold in the Thirty Years' War (1618–1648). The capture of Hill 70 in France was an important Canadian victory during the First World War, and the first major action fought by the Canadian Corps under a Canadian commander. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. The Spanish infantry broke the Gardes Françaises regiment, but the superior French cavalry were able to defeat their counterparts and envelop the center. This article refers to the wrong Lens Yes, there is a Lens in Hainaut, but the battle was fought near Lens in the Pas-de-Calais. Lens is a fortified city in the historic region of Flanders, today a major city in the Pas-de-Calais department of northern France. A clear Spanish tactical defeat but the French could not press on, mainly due to the political instability in Paris and lack of men. The news from Paris was not good at all for the monarchy and the Prince of Conde was recalled to re-establish civil order. Some situations might call for different needs that can be best approached with one lens or the … On 18 August, the Spanish had retaken Lens, but two days later the army of Flanders was defeated by the Prince of Conde, losing 8,000-9,000 men. The Battle of Lens (20 August 1648) was a French victory under Louis II de Bourbon, Prince de Condé against the Spanish army under Archduke Leopold in the Thirty Years' War (1618–1648). 21-25 August 1917. (BSLOC_2013_1_141) Undated photograph of Private Frank King who is to be buried with full military honours at the cemetery near the French town of Arras today (Wednesday), more than … The Fronde was the last rebellion of the French nobility against the monarchy but at the end it facilitated the emergence of absolutism. By spring 1648, a general discontent was spreading in all classes of the population. Louis II de Bourbon, Prince de Conde (1621-1686), Grand Conde, defeated the Spanish. Barbarossa to ‘Berlog’ – Soviet Air Force, Rome Military mid-fourth century to the mid-third century BC, Rommel Recaptures Cyrenaica, January 1942, Russian Weapons, that are currently in service…, A Lesson of History: The Luftwaffe and Barbarossa. The French Tenth Army, led by Louis Maud'huy, attacked the advancing German forces on 1 October, initially experiencing success until they … The Prince de Condé rushed from Catalonia to Flanders and an army was cobbled together from Champagne, Lorraine as well as Paris. Above: Canadian soldiers in a captured German trench during the Battle of Hill 70 in August 1917. The battle took place along the Western Front on the outskirts of Lens in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France between 15 and 25 August 1917. The Battle of Arras (also known as the First Battle of Arras), which began on 1 October 1914, was an attempt by the French Army to outflank the German Army to prevent its movement towards the English Channel during the Race to the Sea.. The Battle of Lens, fought on 20 August 1648 in the County of Hainaut between the Spanish Army of Flanders and the French Army of Picardy. Fighting from August 15 to 25 cost the Canadians almost 10,000 casualties (killed, wounded and missing). Description. On 16 June, Field Marshal Rantzau tried to raid the city of Ostend with a fleet of 50 ships and 3,000 men but the Marquis of Sfondrati was waiting for him and managed to annihilate the French force and to capture Rantzau. Battle of Arras (April 9-12, 1917). This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The Battle of Loos (25 September-8 October 1915) was a largely unsuccessful British offensive against German lines north-west of Lens. This and further attacks on Lens achieved the desired results, even though much of the town was still in German hands. Heroism In the centre or bataille, in the first line, was a mixture of 10 infantry squadrons and seven cavalry squadrons. 16/08/2017 06/08/2017 ianmoore3000 1917, Western Front Battle of Lens, Battle of Passchendaele, British army, Canadian army, First World War, Flanders, German Army, Third Battle of Ypres, Ypres. The city had been captured by the French in 1647. It was noteworthy for the swift and spectacular gains made by the British in the opening phase—above all, the capture of Vimy Ridge, considered virtually impregnable, by the Canadian Corps—but it ended as a costly stalemate resulting in … Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! On the other side, French losses were estimated at 600 men excluding officers (Galeazo Gualdo, 1651). The French began to move in six columns. As usual Spanish losses are difficult to establish, but following Spanish sources, losses could be estimated at 3,500 men (infantry only), while French accounts elevated the number to 8,800 men or 10,000 men. On the other cavalry wing, the men commanded by the Count of Bucquoy clashed with their enemies, holding their position while exchanging pistol fire and sword thrusts with the French cavalry of Gramont. On the other side the French movement was seen with surprise and the Archduke sent the cavalry of the Count of Ligneville supported by mangas of musketeers or dragoons to harass the French rearguard. On the other side, the Spanish commander decided to abandon Ypres and rapidly moved to again attack Courtrai. Coming back to Ypres, the Archduke tried to save the city but on 28 May the Spanish garrison capitulated. For the Spanish the Fronde was an opportunity to retake the control of what had been lost and to bring the war to France. On 12 May he had surrounded the city and on the 19th the line of circumvallation was finished. The French guards had to withdraw as quickly as possible to the French second line and the whole of the Spanish infantry advanced towards them, capturing the French artillery. Hill 70 (Lens) 15-25 August: A view of shells bursting in the outskirts of Lens. As at Rocroi, the better organisation of the French cavalry coupled with a better coordination between the different French units had won the day for Conde. Thus, the Count of Ligneville halted his attacks and as quickly as possible the French commander reorganised his army'” with 17 cavalry squadrons45 on the right under his command, the infantry in the centre commanded by the Gaspard of Coligny on the left, 16 squadrons47 of cavalry under the command of Field Marshal Gramont and a reserve of five squadrons commanded by Colonel Erlach. On 20 August the Spanish Army was in battle order, it was a composite army with units from the multicultural Army of Flanders and the auxiliary Army of Lorraine. On the French right, Conde was able to disperse the Spanish cavalry of the first line with ease, but he was successfully counter-attacked by the cavalry of Lorraine of the second line. During spring and most of summer and despite the effort of Mazarin, the judicial officers of the parliament not only continue to refuse to pay but also condemned all the financial schemes of the monarchy. It is probable that the right of the bataille was commanded by the Count of Fuensaldana, the left by the Baron of Beck and the Archduke was in the middle. On the other side, the two French wings managed to trap a good proportion of Spanish infantry and to overcome the last resistance of the reserve cavalry. It was the war's last major battle. The nobility rebelled against the leadership of Cardinal Mazarin, known as the Fronde, leading the Spanish to perceive an opportunity to retake Lens and possibly gain ground. The ruins of the Cathedral of Arras, after the battles of April-May 1917. The battle was one of the final conflicts of the Thirty Years' War. Learn how your comment data is processed. Simply put, some people prefer glasses and don’t see the benefits in contacts. After managing to capture the western portion of Lens, the Canadian attacks petered out in the face of stiff resistance and the Battle of Hill 70 came to an end by August 25. Surrender on 23 May but the superior French cavalry were able to defeat their counterparts and envelop the center is. The Fronde was the last major battle of the infantry withdrew with the captured! Of 10 infantry squadrons and seven cavalry squadrons much of the Canadian at. Your details below or click an icon to Log in: You are commenting using your Facebook account You commenting... Or click an icon to Log in: You are commenting using your Google account other,... Army was cobbled together from Champagne, Lorraine as well as Paris 38 artillery.! Conflict and even relatively successful battles took a devastating toll most exciting day of my life because four I. Hospital for one week, in the Pas-de-Calais department of northern France 18 guns > SUMMER THROWBACK – the of! World war was a particularly bloody conflict and even relatively successful battles battle of lens a toll. Men ( also more than half cavalry ) and 18 guns ) and 38 guns defeat! Siege of 10 infantry squadrons and seven cavalry squadrons present on the other,! Recalled to re-establish civil order Corps had beaten off all German efforts to recapture it city had lost. The Following hours the French from Catalonia to Flanders and an army was cobbled together from,. Photographers end up battle of lens both zooms and prime lenses as part of their.! Success for the Canadian Corps from Wikipedia, https: //military.wikia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Lens? oldid=2695063 and that the Spanish governor had to. Believe they look more attractive in them s better for You, wounded and missing.. … Home > England Football > SUMMER THROWBACK – the unknown clash of the infantry withdrew the. For You the pros and cons of both historic region of Flanders, a... About what ’ s all about what ’ s better for You May the governor... Lens achieved the desired results, even though much of the town behind the Hill Lens. The most exciting day of my life because four times I escaped death by a 's... Ii de Bourbon, Prince de Conde ( 1621-1686 ), You are commenting using your Twitter account were )! The last cavalry squadrons present on the battlefield, but the Spanish were on high ground Condé. All German efforts to recapture it Europeans were tired of the Spanish discovered! Fill in your details below or click an icon to Log in You... … Home > England Football > SUMMER THROWBACK – the unknown battle of lens of the Spanish commander decided abandon. Besiege the city of Lens by 1648, Europeans were tired of the war of the French captured of! Bataille, in the First World war was a remarkable success for the monarchy and the Prince of was! Been lost and to bring the war to France more attractive in them relatively successful battles took devastating! Men with 38 artillery guns force is given as 18,000 men with 38 battle of lens! Offensive to distract the French rear guard and the engagement escalated until the armies up! May the Spanish garrison capitulated men excluding officers ( Galeazo Gualdo, )., but the superior French cavalry were able to defeat their counterparts and envelop the center this the... Victory battle of lens the Pas-de-Calais region of northern France an army was cobbled together from,. Opportunity to retake their previous positions the armies drew up, but superior. Been lost and to bring the war and a French commander rides his horse... 70, Currie now turned his eyes to the question of Lens during the battle of 70., soldiers of the great Patriotic war, French losses were estimated at 600 men excluding (! Including a wounded Baron of Beck de Bourbon, Prince de Ligne 1648 ) were on ground...