Assault on Aardenburg (1672)

The Assault on Aardenburg took place in 1672 during the Franco-Dutch War (also known as the Dutch War). It involved French forces, under the command of Louis XIV, attempting to capture the Dutch town of Aardenburg, located in Zeelandic Flanders. The Dutch garrison, though relatively small, successfully defended the town against the initial French assault.

While the French army ultimately bypassed Aardenburg to focus on strategically more important targets deeper within the Dutch Republic, the successful defense represented a minor, but nonetheless significant, victory for the Dutch. It showcased the resilience of Dutch defenses and bought time for the Dutch to prepare their defenses against the larger French offensive. The French decision to bypass Aardenburg was influenced by factors including the difficult terrain surrounding the town, the determined resistance of the garrison, and the need to maintain momentum for the broader invasion. Following the successful defense, the garrison of Aardenburg remained in place, providing a strategic outpost against any further incursions into the region.

The siege is often viewed as a microcosm of the larger conflict, illustrating the French army's strategic focus on key targets and the unexpected resistance they faced from smaller Dutch towns and garrisons.