Franco-Dutch struggle in the Netherlands: Apogee of maneuver and positional tactics. The military campaign of 1704

The article examines the military art of the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714). The study focuses on the military actions between the French and Anglo-Dutch-German armies in the Netherlands in 1704. The purpose of the article is to identify the features of the military art of the early 18th century using the example of the military campaign of 1704. The scientific novelty lies in the fact that the article, based on sources that have not yet been reflected in Russian historiography, presents a separate military campaign, during which both the strengths and weaknesses of Western European military affairs were revealed. The article actualizes the problems of the general and the specific in the military affairs of Western Europe and Russia, and focuses on the issue of comparative analysis of the military art of the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714) and the Great Northern War (1700-1721). As a result of the study, the author came to the conclusion that the military actions in the Netherlands in 1704 most clearly demonstrated the passive, expectant style of warfare by European armies. In tactics, the role of maneuvering increased as a form of warfare, coupled with control over territory, increased attention to position, terrain and fortresses. Measured methodical actions, increased attention to logistics and comprehensive support of troops become a stable characteristic of Western European military art.