Battle of Kempen

Timeline

1. 1642Around Kempen · RhinelandIn early 1642, Rantzau's French forces launched a winter offensive in the Rhineland direction, while Spanish troops held the line at Kempen; the two sides faced off in the zone where the southern edge of the Low Countries meets the Rhine corridor.
2. 1642Kempen · North Rhine-WestphaliaOn 17 January the French attacked near Kempen, routing the Spanish garrison and capturing large numbers of soldiers and artillery. Spanish forces on the western front suffered a heavy blow, and France further opened room to advance down the Rhine.