Battle of Jemmingen

Battle of Jemmingen
Part of the Eighty Years' War
The Battle of Jemmingen by Frans Hogenberg.
Date 21 July 1568 Location Jemmingen, East Frisia (present-day Germany) Result Decisive Spanish victory
Belligerents
Dutch Rebels	Spain
Commanders and leaders
Louis of Nassau	Duke of Alba
Strength
10,000 infantry 2,000 cavalry 16 guns	12,000 infantry 3,000 cavalry
Casualties and losses
7,000 dead or wounded	80 dead 220 wounded

After the Battle of Heiligerlee Louis of Nassau failed to capture the city Groningen. Louis was driven away by Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, Duke of Alba and defeated at the Battle of Jemmingen (also known as Battle of Jemgum, at Jemgum in East Frisia) on 21 July 1568.

Forces

The Spanish army consisted of 12,000 infantry (4 tercios), 3,000 cavalry, and some cannons. Louis of Nassau opposed them with 10,000 infantry (2 groups), some cavalry, and 16 cannons.

Battle

After three hours of skirmishes, Louis' army left its trenches and advanced. Pounded by effective musket fire and intimidated by the Spanish cavalry, the advance turned into a general retreat towards the river Ems.

Aftermath

On May 19, 1571 a statue of the Duke, cast from one of the captured bronze cannons, was placed in Antwerp citadel. In 1577 the statue was destroyed by an angry crowd.

References

• Laffin, John, Brassey's Dictionary of Battles, Barnes & Noble, 1995.

External links

• The Battle of Jemmingen