The war of the Spanish succession (1701-1714). Rhine campaign of 1703

The article aims at revealing the peculiarities of early 18th-century Western European military art through the example of a single campaign in the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714). The focus of the study is on the battle on the Rhine in 1703 and its reflection in the correspondence of Louis XIV, Emperor Joseph, commanders’ reports, and other documentation showing the events of the military theatre. The author investigates an episode of Western European military history, which has not been reflected in Russian historiography so far. The typical features of the military art of the beginning of the 18th century, namely the mechanism of the so-called “cabinet” troops control, limited operational purposes, positional strategy, and commitment to maneuver tactics are revealed. The increasing role of military logistics is shown: the system of logistics, means of communication, and supply at the expense of the enemy's resources. The peculiarity of the Rhine campaign of 1703 was the resolute action of the French troops against the background of their enemy’s passivity and excessive caution which was typical of the era.