Battle of Tuttlingen

The Battle of Tuttlingen was fought in Tuttlingen on November 24, 1643.

Those involved in the conflict were the French forces led by Marshal Josias Rantzau and the armies of the Holy Roman Empire led by Franz von Mercy. Technically, Mercy led a military force composed of Imperial, Bavarian, and Lorrainer troops. Ultimately, Rantzau's forces were defeated by Mercy's surprise attack. After having suffered defeat, Rantzau's troops retreated back across the Rhine River into Alsace. Moreover, Mercy held both Rantzau and seven thousand French troops captive.

The Bavarian army under von Werth, together with reinforcements from the Emperor and Charles IV of Lorraine, responded swiftly to the threat to their winter quarters in Swabia. On 24 November, 1643, von Werth surprised and defeated Saxe-Weimar’s old troops, the Bernardines, at Tuttlingen.

Rantzau attempted to recoup his losses, but was defeated. Rottweil was recaptured by the Bavarians on 2 December, 1643 and the French were forced to retreat in confusion to the Rhine. They had lost as much as two-thirds of their army, with the experienced Bernardines being particularly hard hit.