On This Day In History: Battle Of Dettingen – English Armies Were Victorious Over The French – On June 27, 1743

AncientPages.com - On June 27, 1743, King George of the English and his armies were victorious over the French at Dettingen, Bavaria, Germany.

The Battle of Dettingen is a highly significant victory for the British Army, being the only time in modern history that a British Army has been led into battle by a reigning monarch: King George II.

This event, which happened during the War of the Austrian Succession (1740–1748) that involved most of the powers of Europe -  was celebrated by Handel in his composition "Dettingen Te Deum."

George II descended into battle, which marked the last time a British monarch personally led his troops on the field. Combatants in this battle were: the Pragmatic Army comprising British, Hanoverians, and Austrians against a French Army.

When the engagement commenced, George II dismounted from his horse and put himself at the head of his infantry; he led his troops on foot to the charge.

"The conduct of the King in this conflict," says Lord Mahon, "deserves the highest praise, and it was undoubtedly through him and his son [the Duke of Cumberland], far more than through any of his generals, that the day was won."

The British and Hanoverian infantry vied under such guidance and swept the French forces before them with a carelessness which soon decided the battle and produced a complete rout of the French army. However, the exhausted condition of the allies, especially their want of provisions, rendered it impossible for them to pursue the French, who left the field with the loss of six thousand men.

On his return to England, the King opened the session of Parliament in person. In reply to his speech, an Address of Thanks was moved, "acknowledging the goodness of Divine Providence to this nation in protecting your Majesty's sacred person amid imminent dangers, in defense of the common cause and liberties of Europe."

The Battle of Dettingen was an important historical event. Had the French triumphed in this battle, the Pragmatic Army would have had to surrender or starve, and the King of Great Britain, George II, might have fallen prisoner to Louis XV.

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