Siege of Bonn (1703)

The Siege of Bonn in 1703 was a significant military engagement during the War of the Spanish Succession. It took place from April 24 to May 15, 1703, with Allied forces, primarily composed of Dutch, Prussian, and other German troops under the command of Baron van Goor, laying siege to the city of Bonn, which was then held by a French and Bavarian garrison under the command of the Marquis d'Alegre.

Bonn was a strategically important city as it controlled a key crossing point on the Rhine River. The Allies aimed to capture Bonn to secure their supply lines and gain a foothold in the Rhineland. The city was heavily fortified, but the Allied forces possessed superior artillery.

The siege commenced with a bombardment of the city's defenses. The Allied artillery gradually wore down the fortifications, and after several weeks of intense fighting, including successful assaults on key defensive positions, the garrison's situation became untenable.

On May 15, 1703, the French and Bavarian garrison surrendered to the Allied forces. The capture of Bonn was a significant victory for the Allies, as it allowed them to secure the Rhineland and advance further into enemy territory. It also disrupted French supply lines and contributed to the overall Allied effort in the War of the Spanish Succession. The siege resulted in considerable damage to the city of Bonn.