n order to pull pressure away from the various defensive lines in the Low Countries, the Duke planned to take his forces in such a direction as to force the armies of the Sun King to redeploy to their eastern borders to ensure there would be no threat to France or its allies in the German states – particularly Bavaria. His plan was to march eastwards, picking up allied forces from Denmark and allied states from the centre and northern areas of Germany. Once he reached the Rhine, he planned to advance southwards down the river and take the war to France's principal ally Bavaria. Marching south and east, he caught the French off guard, and they,
