Battle of Valmy - 1792

"From this place, and from this day forth, commences a new era in the world's history; and you can all say that you were present at its birth" - Goethe

The battle of Valmy is rightly considered one of the decisive battles of the modern era. .

The allied invasion of France in 1792, by the Brunswick's largely Prussian force, aimed at restoring LouisXVI to power and strangling the emerging republic at birth. At first it appeared that this plan would succeed, with the fortresses of Longwy and Verdun falling to the invading forces at the first summons. The new order appeared doomed.

In a desperate measure to halt the seemingly unstoppable Prussian juggernaut, Dumouriez placed his Armee du Nord at the pass of Les Islettes on the road between Paris and Verdun and called on Kellerman to join him there with the Armee de Centre. The intention was to block any advance from Verdun and threaten the lines of communication of any force that sought to outflank the French position.

As it happened Brunswick did outflank the strategic barrier of the Argonne and was advancing on Dumouriez' and Kellerman's united forces from the east, whilst other allied forces were threatening from the west. The French were between two fires and defeat would result in the annihilation of the only forces capable of protecting Paris. However Brunswick was himself in a similar position because retreat after the loss of a pitched battle would have been virtually impossible.

Therefore it should come as no surprise that the actual battle itself was little more than a cannonade with neither side choosing to press the issue. Despite this, the success of the French forces in standing up to the vaunted Prussian military machine ensured that the new Republic, based on the ideals of Liberty Equality and Fraternity, would survive to ultimately transform the face of Europe.

This scenario focuses on the question of what would have happened if Brunswick had made a serious attempt crush the French.

French troops are still in a mix of the old Royal (White and blue) uniform and the new Blue uniform of the conscripts.

Prussian army is better trained than the french, but will face a stubborn and motivated ennemy.