August 12 – December 9, 1708 · Spanish Netherlands Theater
August 12 – December 9, 1708
The siege of Lille — Vauban's masterpiece of fortification and France's second city — was the most technically demanding operation of the war. Eugene conducted the siege while Marlborough covered against French relief attempts. The garrison under Marshal Boufflers conducted a heroic defense of both the town (surrendered October 22) and the citadel (surrendered December 9). Allied casualties in the operation exceeded 15,000.
Commanders