1708 in History

The defeat of Lewenhaupt's supply army at Lesnaya damages Charles XII's Russian campaign.

Seeks support from Ivan Mazepa and Cossack forces.

Commands English and Dutch forces assembled in order of battle at the Allied camp near Bethlem before the Oudenaarde campaign.

Ghent surrenders to the Allies at the end of Marlborough's 1708 campaign.

Charles XII captures Grodno during the opening phase of the Russian campaign.

Charles XII occupies Grodno while Peter I avoids decisive battle.

Occupies Grodno while Peter avoids decisive battle.

Byng supports the capture of Minorca, giving Britain a major Mediterranean base.

Supports the capture of Minorca for the British war effort.

Leake supports the expedition that captures Minorca for the British war effort.

Commands land forces in the capture of Minorca.

Charles XII captures Mogilev during the advance toward the Russian heartland.

Occupies Mogilev during the Russian campaign.

Supports Allied operations taking Sardinia.

Lybecker's army is evacuated by sea after the failed Ingria operation, losing many horses and supplies.

Moves quickly to bring the French army to battle.

Vendome's forces suffer defeat at Oudenaarde after confused command and rapid Allied concentration.

French forces recover Ghent during the renewed campaign before the decisive battle at Oudenaarde.

Charles XII uses Grodno as part of his winter position during the Russian campaign.

Lybecker's campaign ends with evacuation near the Gulf of Finland after failing to threaten Saint Petersburg.

Lybecker leads a Swedish army into Ingria and crosses the Neva from the north.

Charles XII crosses the Vistula at the head of the Swedish army during the Russian campaign.

The victory at Holowczyn opens the route toward the Dnieper during Charles XII's invasion.

Charles XII's campaign is weakened after Russian forces destroy Lewenhaupt's supply column at Lesnaya.

Makes an unsuccessful attempt to land in Scotland, the fleet of Admiral Sir George Byng intercepted his French ships, and in spite of James tearful pleas, the French admiral refused to let him go ashore, choosing to retreat rather than risk a naval battle

Marlborough supports the siege of Lille to weaken the principal French fortress system in Flanders.

Lewenhaupt reaches the main Swedish army with only part of his force and without the full wagon train.

Bruges returns to French allegiance during the 1708 campaign, increasing pressure on Marlborough in Flanders.

Continues the advance through harsh winter conditions.

Uses Allied cavalry to envelop the French right at Oudenaarde, helping force Vendome's army into retreat.

Writes from the camp at Oudenaarde to report the Allied victory won on the previous day.

Harley leaves office after political conflict inside the war ministry.

The second Swedish army carrying supplies and reinforcements is routed at Lesnaya.

Boufflers begins the defence of Lille against Marlborough and Eugene.

The Allied siege operations against Lille begin after the victory at Oudenaarde.

Captures two major fortifications at Tournai

The final stone is laid on St Pauls

The loss of the supply convoy at Lesnaya leaves Charles XII short of provisions before the Ukrainian campaign.

Boufflers surrenders Lille after a prolonged defence against Allied siege operations.

The citadel of Lille surrenders after the prolonged Allied siege.

Turns south after supply problems and scorched earth tactics.

Louis XIV faces severe military pressure after Allied victories and the loss of major northern fortresses.

Endures a severe winter that weakens the Swedish army.

Passes a resolution to defeat & destroy the Spanish treasure fleet at Cartagena

Charles XII defeats Sheremetev's Russian forces at Holowczyn and advances toward the Dnieper.

Defeats Russian forces and opens the road toward the Dnieper.

Loses vital supplies when Lewenhaupt's convoy is defeated.

The loss of Lewenhaupt's convoy at Lesnaya leaves Charles XII without the supplies needed for the Moscow campaign.

Lewenhaupt's supply army is defeated by Russian forces, depriving Charles XII of vital reinforcements.

Peter the Great captures Swedish supplies prior to Charles XIIs defeat at Pultava

The Duke of Burgundy shares command during the French defeat at Oudenaarde.

Leads the Allied advance guard before Oudenaarde.

John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll, fights at the Battle of Oudenaarde.

Marlborough and Eugene defeat the French army at Oudenaarde.

John Dalrymple commands a brigade at Oudenaarde during Marlborough and Eugene's victory over the French.

Plays a major role at the Battle of Oudenarde

Marlborough & Eugene defeat the French under the Duke of Burgundy & Vendome

Marlborough & Eugene defeat the French under the Duke of Burgundy & Vendome

Fights at the Battle of Oudenaarde

Vendome commands French forces during the defeat at Oudenaarde.

Suffers defeat during the Flanders campaign.

Marches into Ukraine hoping to recover supplies and Cossack support.

His supply column is badly damaged before joining Charles XII.

Breaks with Peter I and seeks Swedish support before the Poltava campaign.

Captures Baturyn and destroys Mazepa's main supply base.

Calls the victory at Lesnaya the mother of the Poltava victory.

Protects a supply convoy during the siege of Lille.

Marlborough defeats the French at Oudenaarde and restores Allied strategic initiative in Flanders.