Assault on Nijmegen

Assault on Nijmegen
Part of the Cologne War
In the failed assault, Martin Schenck, Commander, drowned in the Rhine River at Nijmegen
Date 10 August 1589 Location Nijmegen Result Spanish victory
Belligerents
Gebhard Truchsess von Waldburg, Prince Elector of Cologne	Ernst of Bavaria, Prince Elector Cologne
Commanders and leaders
Martin Schenck von Nydeggen †	Nijmegen Garrison
Strength
200–250 men	City garrison: 50 men Nijmegen civilians
Casualties and losses
50%	< 20

The Assault on Nijmegen occurred on the night of 10 August 1589, involving troops of the mercenary Martin Schenck von Nydeggen against the small garrison and some citizens at the city of Nijmegen.

Located at the confluence of the Waal and Rhine rivers, Nijmegen was strategically important to the defense of the Dutch provinces and the Electorate of Cologne. Planning to take the city by surprise, Schenck and his troops would then reinforce the city, provision it and prepare it for siege by troops of Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma.

In the attack, Schenck and his soldiers tried to enter the city from barges on the Waal river. Some of the barges floated past the rendezvous point, and landed further down river. In the abortive battle, Schenck and many of his men drowned in the river. It was the second to last action of the Cologne War.