Siege of Nijmegen (1794)

The Siege of Nijmegen (1794) was a military engagement during the War of the First Coalition, part of the French Revolutionary Wars. It saw French Republican forces under the command of General Jean-Charles Pichegru besiege and capture the Dutch city of Nijmegen, defended by a combined garrison of Dutch, British, and Hessian troops.

Nijmegen, strategically located on the Waal River, was a vital point in the Allied defense line intended to prevent the French from invading the Dutch Republic. The siege began in early November 1794 after earlier skirmishes in the surrounding region. The French employed heavy artillery bombardment to weaken the city's defenses and demoralize the garrison.

The Allied forces, under overall command of the Duke of York, were stretched thin and facing increasing French pressure across the entire front. Supply lines to Nijmegen were disrupted, and morale within the city deteriorated due to constant shelling and growing shortages.

Despite a determined defense, the Allied forces were unable to hold Nijmegen. Facing overwhelming odds and the threat of being cut off, the garrison evacuated the city on the night of November 7, 1794, crossing the Waal River under fire. They destroyed the bridge behind them to slow the French advance.

The capture of Nijmegen was a significant victory for the French. It opened the way for their further advance into the Dutch Republic, ultimately leading to the establishment of the Batavian Republic, a French client state. The siege also contributed to the growing unpopularity of the Stadtholder William V and the existing Dutch regime, paving the way for revolution. The Allied retreat from Nijmegen marked a turning point in the campaign and signaled the imminent collapse of the Dutch Republic.