Battles & Campaigns · 1796–1797
Siege of Hüningen
Huningue (Hüningen), Haut-Rhin, France
What happened
Austrian troops under Karl Aloys zu Fürstenberg besieged the French bridgehead at Hüningen, defended by Georges Joseph Dufour and Jean Charles Abbatucci. Hüningen was a French fortress guarding a bridge over the Rhine near Basel. The Austrians surrounded it, drained its moat and bombarded it for weeks. A French sortie failed, and in February Dufour offered to surrender.
Why it matters
The siege held Archduke Charles's army on the Rhine through the winter. Meanwhile French troops sent to Italy helped win the siege of Mantua.
What came next
Charles became known as the 'Saviour of Germany'. The fortress was besieged again in 1813–1814.
Did you know?
The town's market square is still named after General Abbatucci.
Timeline
- 27 Nov 1796Siege begins.
- 1 Dec 1796French sortie fails.
- 9 Jan 1797Kehl is evacuated.
- 5 Feb 1797Austrians take Hüningen.