Battle of Freiburg

This battle is often confused with the Battle of Freiberg of 1762.

Battle of Freiburg
Part of the Thirty Years' War
Map of the battle location.
Date 3 August, 5 August, 9 August 1644 Location Freiburg, Baden-Württemberg (present-day Germany) Result Inconclusive
Belligerents
France	Holy Roman Empire Bavaria
Commanders and leaders
Duc d'Enghien Vicomte de Turenne	Franz von Mercy
Strength
20,000 men 37 guns 11,000 infantry 9.000 cavalry	16,500 men 20 guns 8,300 infantry 8,200 cavalry
Casualties and losses
7,000-8,000	2,500

The Battle of Freiburg, also called the Three Day Battle, took place on 3, 5 and 9 August 1644 as part of the Thirty Years' War. The Bavarian army under Franz von Mercy captured the city of Freiburg on 28 July after a siege of 5 weeks. The French army under Louis II de Bourbon, Duc d'Enghien and marshal Henri de la Tour d'Auvergne, Vicomte de Turenne, tried to recapture it at three separate days. The battle was interrupted due to heavy rain. Although the French won the first day of the battle at the Bohl hill near Ebringen, they didn't manage to recapture Freiburg on the two following days of the battle at the Schlierberg near Freiburg, so the city remained in Bavarian hands.

Figures in the table derive from the latest references below, as casualty numbers are the subject of dispute.

References

• Guthrie WP, The Later Thirty Years' War: From the Battle of Wittstock to the Treaty of Westphalia, Greenwood, 2003.
• Bonney R, The thirty years war 1618-1648, Osprey, 2002.