File:Nederlandse troepen tijdens de Slag bij Malplaquet (cropped).jpg

English: The Battle of Malplaquet took place on 11 September 1709 during the War of the Spanish Succession and was fought between a French army commanded by the Duke of Villars and a Grand Alliance force under the Duke of Marlborough. In one of the bloodiest battles of the 18th century, the Allies won a narrow victory but suffered heavy casualties, while the French were able to withdraw in good order. Led by the Prince of Orange and Fagel, 22 Dutch and 8 Swiss battalions assaulted the French entrenchments, and suffered over 5,000 casualties in less than 30 minutes, including many senior officers. They persisted with incredible fortitude until Marlborough told the Prince of Orange to stop, by which time they had lost over 8,500 men. Some British commentators claim the Dutch attack was supposed to be a "demonstration" rather than a full scale assault, but this appears unlikely and Marlborough took full responsibility for the failure. Orkney later wrote the Dutch dead lay "as thick as ever you saw a flock of sheep."