Battle of Fleurus
Fleurus, Hainaut, Belgium
What happened
The French Revolutionary army under Jean-Baptiste Jourdan fought an Austrian and Dutch coalition army under Prince Josias of Coburg. The French had just captured the fortress of Charleroi when Coburg's army attacked to relieve it. Above the battlefield, French officers in a tethered balloon called L'Entreprenant watched the enemy and signalled reports to the ground, and after a long day the French held their lines and the coalition withdrew.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It is described as the first battle to use observation from the air, a turning point in how wars would be fought. France also took permanent control of the Austrian Netherlands (Belgium).
What came next
The Dutch Republic, now exposed, was soon replaced by the pro-French Batavian Republic. The French balloon unit, the world's first air unit, was disbanded in 1799.
Did you know?
The French Aerostatic Corps, founded in 1794, is described as the world's first military air unit.
Timeline
- 1794France founds the Aerostatic Corps, with balloons for scouting.
- 25 June 1794Charleroi surrenders to the French.
- 26 June 1794The French win at Fleurus, helped by balloon observers.
- 1799The Aerostatic Corps is ordered disbanded.