Abstract
This article aims to explore a specific campaign from the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–1714) to identify the defining characteristics of early 18th-century Western European military strategy. This study offers a valuable contribution to the comparative analysis of military affairs, which forms an essential part of the civilizational and cultural context of both Russia and Western Europe during this period. It focuses on the fighting in Savoy in 1704 and its reflection in the military correspondence of Louis XIV, his minister of war Chamillard and the French command in Piedmont and Savoy. The article delves into an episode of Western European history marked by dynastic conflicts and rivalries among reigning houses – an area that remains largely unexplored in Russian historiography. Several hallmark features of Western European military strategy are presented, including the decision-making process associated with “desktop” command and control, the establishment of limited operational objectives, a positional approach to strategy, and a tendency toward passive, methodical actions rather than decisiveness. The study also highlights a commitment to siege warfare and maneuver tactics, alongside the growing significance of engineering support and logistics. Furthermore, this military campaign was distinguished by the active participation of the local populace, the rise of partisan movements, the extensive use of diversion tactics, and the efforts of independent groups operating in isolation from the main forces.