Page "Battle of Blenheim" Paragraph 22

The Elector in Augsburg was informed on 14 July that Tallard was on his way through the Black Forest.

This good news bolstered the Elector's policy of inaction, further encouraging him to wait for the reinforcements.

But this reticence to fight induced Marlborough to undertake a controversial policy of spoliation in Bavaria, burning buildings and crops throughout the rich lands south of the Danube.

This had two aims: firstly to put pressure on the Elector to fight or come to terms before Tallard arrived with reinforcements ; and secondly, to ruin Bavaria as a base from which the French and Bavarian armies could attack Vienna, or pursue the Duke into Franconia if, at some stage, he had to withdraw northwards.

But this destruction, coupled with a protracted siege of Rain ( 9 – 16 July ), caused Prince Eugene to lament "... since the Donauwörth action I cannot admire their performances ", and later to conclude " If he has to go home without having achieved his objective, he will certainly be ruined.

" Nevertheless, strategically the Duke had been able to place his numerically stronger forces between the Franco-Bavarian army and Vienna.