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Coalition Warfare Under the Duke of Marlborough during The War of the Spanish Succession
by
Frank J. Gehrki III, LTC, USA
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents
ABSTRACT
Coalition warfare is an important area of military study for today. During the War of the Spanish Succession, the Duke of Marlborough successfully led a coalition of over twenty nations and states against the armies of Louis XIV of France. During the war, he waged ten campaigns applying military brilliance to defeat French military pre-eminence on the continent. His victories propelled England to a position of power in Europe. He achieved his many successes despite being crippled by the myriad problems incumbent in coalition warfare. This study examines Marlboroughs prosecution of the War of the Spanish Succession, focusing on the aspects of coalition warfare. It examines how the Duke of Marlborough dealt with the challenges presented by his coalition partners. It concludes with potential lessons for those who might wage coalition warfare today.
INTRODUCTION
In the annals of human conflict are found numerous examples of wars fought by groups of nations bonded together to defeat a common foe. These expedient, often fleeting alliances are called coalitions.
Coalition warfare is best defined as war in which the interests of several allied powers merge into a common goal of defeating a hostile power or alliance. Often, the alliances are expedients, where each ally also has his own set of national objectives. The common bond is the defeat of the adversaries, a prerequisite to achieving individual national goals. Many times, these coalitions are fragile, and the allies might, under different circumstances, be adversaries. At best, coalition warfare is a delicately balanced arrangement where military requirements and political realities often conflict. Whatever the political situation, coalition warfare presents the commander of its forces with unique challenges.
Coalition warfare is an area that is significant in military studies. The United States has won three wars in the 20th century (World War I, World War II, and the Persian Gulf War) by waging successful coalition warfare. Considerable literature exists on military doctrine and military history, but little on coalition warfare. Since coalition warfare is likely in the future, particularly when considering the emerging national military strategy of the United States, it is certainly an appropriate area for further study.
Military history provides a good medium to Study many aspects of the profession of arms and it teems with examples of coalition warfare. Considering these factors, the purpose of this paper is to look at coalition war as it was waged in the past for possible lessons that one can apply today for future alliances. To keep this study in manageable proportions, the War of the Spanish Succession (17011713) was chosen. There are two reasons for selecting this war. First, it provides a quintessential look at coalition warfare as twenty confederate states bonded together into the Second Grand Alliance to defeat the army of Louis XIV of France. It was fought in an era of constantly changing alliances, where allies often had quite different objectives. Further, it was a period rich with political intrigue, both nationally and internationally, all serving to undermine the war effort.
Second, it was an era of one of the great captains of military history, John Churchill, the First Duke of Marlborough. In 1702, he assumed command of the coalition army of the Second Grand Alliance against France. He led his army through 10 successful campaigns and fought four of the great battles of modern history with his coalition forces. Through strategic, operational and tactical brilliance, he broke the power of France as the preeminent nation on the continent, and placed England at the summit of European power. Military professionals have studied the military genius displayed by Marlborough during the War of the Spanish succession. What is not often studied about this great leader are the challenges he faced in leading the coalition army of the Second Grand Alliance.
BACKGROUND
John Churchill was born in 1650, the third child of civil servant, Winston Churchill, and Elizabeth Drake. Little accounting remains of his early years. However his penchant for the martial is clear in what is available. His rector at St. Pauls school noted in 1664 that he learned the elements of the art of war from Vegetius De Re Militari, He made a name for himself early as he moved into the inner circle of Englands royalty under King Charles II. During these early years, he developed a close, personal relationship with Princess Anne, the daughter of King James II and the future queen. He married her best friend and closest confident, Sarah Jennings.
At age 18, he sought service with the admiralty in the war against the Moors at Tangiers. In 1672, he served again with the navy at Sole Bay. In 1674, he received a colonelcy from Louis XIV and commanded an English regiment in the service of the French! He served under the great French general, Turenne, at the battles of Sinzheim and Enzheim, earning distinction at every turn.
In 1685, he continued his distinguished service as head of the Household Cavalry in putting down the Monmouth Rebellion in England. By the time of the Glorious Revolution in 1688, he had attained the rank of brigadier. At the conclusion of the revolution, William III made him the commander in chief of the reconstituted English army and appointed him the Earl of Marlborough. He served with distinction under the Dutch general, Waldeck, in 1689 as part of the League of Augsburg, an earlier coalition against France. Political intrigue and conflicting loyalties led to a blot on his illustrious career in 1694. He was accused of plotting with the deposed James II against King William. Because of these charges, he was removed from command, and imprisoned in the tower of London. The charges were never substantiated, and he eventually returned to the good graces of the king and was restored to his post.
Throughout his early years, Marlborough had ample opportunities to develop the skills necessary to work in a coalition environment. His military experiences on the continent were usually as part of a coalition. When in the service of the French from 16721674, his military contemporaries included Prince Eugene, later to be his staunchest military ally, and Counts Boufflers and Villars, both of whom would be his opposite commanders during the War of the Spanish Succession. Between 1675 and 1678, he served as a representative of the court of England, where he gained repute for his diplomatic work. By 1678, he was acting with King James authority in coordinating with the Dutch and Spanish alliance against France. His duties included diplomatic arrangements as well as the strength of forces and the military details for cooperation.
