Siege of Mons (1746)

Following the capture of Brussels by Marshal Maurice de Saxe in February 1746, a council of war was held in the city to determine the next French course of action.^[3] Against the advice of Saxe, King Louis XV endorsed the plan of the Prince of Conti to continue operations by taking the towns of Mons and Charleroi. Saxe had advocated for open battle with the Austrians, rather than siege warfare.^[3]

Mons was defended by twelve battalions, at least half of which were Dutch. Conti, who arrived outside the town on 7 June, directed Joseph Marie de Boufflers and the Count of Estrées to lead the French siege force. The trench in front of Mons was opened during the night of 24 to 25 June. On the 10 July, a double attack, one at the Porte de Berthamont and one at the Porte de Nimy, forced the surrender of the town to Conti.^[4] The citadel (the fort-annex of Saint-Ghislain) was not included in the capitulation of the town. The siege continued until the citadel succumbed to French attacks on 23 July.^[3]