When the Belgian Revolution began in August 1830, the Dutch army suffered from extensive desertion by South-Netherlanders (Belgians) who were reluctant to serve any longer and thus fight their fellow countrymen. Before the war, the northern provinces that were mainly Protestant, feared for the Catholic majority that was now present in the United Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Dutch government purposely held the Catholic Belgians back, also in the army: while most officers were Dutch, the bulk of the conscripted recruits came from the south. In total, about two-thirds of the troops stationed in the Southern Netherlands deserted, and the morale of the remaining troops was severely damaged. This, together with the fact that the bulk (and often the best-trained part) of the Dutch military was stationed in its colonies, allowed the Belgian revolutionaries to quickly gain control over what is now Belgium. However, the leaders of the Belgian revolution had grown overconfident because of their early success and had not taken steps to build up a military force of their own.
King William I viewed the failure to suppress the Belgian revolt as a humiliation, and sought an opportunity to retaliate against the rebels. Moreover, even if reunification should prove impossible, he wanted to negotiate peace from a position of strength. Therefore, when William learned that the rebels had asked Leopold of Saxe-Coburg to be their king, he invaded Belgium.
For the Belgians all seemed lost. However, on August 8, they had decided to ask for French support, despite the request not being formally authorised by the government. A French army under Marshal Gérard crossed the border the very next day. The Dutch had taken a risk by invading Belgium without the support of other allies (Russia wanted to assist but experienced trouble with suppressing the Polish revolution and Prussia would not risk sending troops without Russia being able to secure its western borders); now they faced a possible war with the French
The diplomatic reply of Prussia how ever was incorrect interpretated by king William I and his cabinet. There for he ordered his army to find a defensible position and resist the French army.
Both divisions of the Dutch army, united and found defensive positions just out side of Vilvorde North of Brussels on the road to Maline and Antwerp.
The 13 of August Marshal Gérard attacked the Dutch army who hold higher grounds and ha errect ad hoc breastworks and earth works. Due to variuos cirmcumstances not at least the well know fog of war, the battle resulted in a retreat for the French army. This not at least ot the suprise of the Dutch them self.
The defeat of the significant larger French army changed the diplomatic situation complete.
The invitation of the French by the Belgian revlutionairs was already met with susispicion by the Great Powers. But now this French revolutionairy army retreated.
Russia, already willing to help, now officially supported the Dutch, even Russia had to deal with Polish revolutionairs.
Autria protested formaly, of the intervention of Franche in what was considered a internal affair at best, and very suspicous in the ongoiing revolution in Franche and the removal of the Borbon King. Prusia, due to the diplomatic backing by Russia and Austria, offerd now real military support to the Dutch and moved an army in the Prusian Rhine province cloer to the French border.
Great Brittain, litle embarised, due to their quite support of the Belgian revolt tired to mediate.
The Ten Days' Campaign (Dutch: Tiendaagse Veldtocht, French: Campagne des Dix-Jours) was a failed attempt to suppress the Belgian revolution by the Dutch king William I between August 2[1] – August 12, 1831.
King William I viewed the failure to suppress the Belgian revolt as a humiliation, and sought an opportunity to retaliate against the rebels. Moreover, even if reunification should prove impossible, he wanted to negotiate peace from a position of strength. Therefore, when William learned that the rebels had asked Leopold of Saxe-Coburg to be their king, he invaded Belgium.
For the Belgians all seemed lost. However, on August 8, they had decided to ask for French support, despite the request not being formally authorised by the government. A French army under Marshal Gérard crossed the border the very next day. The Dutch had taken a risk by invading Belgium without the support of other allies (Russia wanted to assist but experienced trouble with suppressing the Polish revolution and Prussia would not risk sending troops without Russia being able to secure its western borders); now they faced a possible war with the French
The diplomatic reply of Prussia how ever was incorrect interpretated by king William I and his cabinet. There for he ordered his army to find a defensible position and resist the French army.
Both divisions of the Dutch army, united and found defensive positions just out side of Vilvorde North of Brussels on the road to Maline and Antwerp.
The 13 of August Marshal Gérard attacked the Dutch army who hold higher grounds and ha errect ad hoc breastworks and earth works. Due to variuos cirmcumstances not at least the well know fog of war, the battle resulted in a retreat for the French army. This not at least ot the suprise of the Dutch them self.
The defeat of the significant larger French army changed the diplomatic situation complete.
The invitation of the French by the Belgian revlutionairs was already met with susispicion by the Great Powers. But now this French revolutionairy army retreated.
Russia, already willing to help, now officially supported the Dutch, even Russia had to deal with Polish revolutionairs.
Autria protested formaly, of the intervention of Franche in what was considered a internal affair at best, and very suspicous in the ongoiing revolution in Franche and the removal of the Borbon King. Prusia, due to the diplomatic backing by Russia and Austria, offerd now real military support to the Dutch and moved an army in the Prusian Rhine province cloer to the French border.
Great Brittain, litle embarised, due to their quite support of the Belgian revolt tired to mediate.
The Ten Days' Campaign (Dutch: Tiendaagse Veldtocht, French: Campagne des Dix-Jours) was a failed attempt to suppress the Belgian revolution by the Dutch king William I between August 2[1] – August 12, 1831.
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