Editing Battle of Lens (section)

===Cavalry struggle on the wings===
At 8:30 Bucquoy's Walloon cavalry on the Spanish right, situated five paces behind the crest of a small [[hillock]], were approached by Gramont's cavalry squadrons.{{sfn|Guthrie|2003|pp=192–193}}{{sfn|Thion|2008|p=161}} At 20 paces, the Walloons discharged their carbines, killing or wounding almost everyone in the French first lines.{{sfn|Thion|2008|p=161}} The following ranks of the French cavalry nevertheless charged through the Walloons' formation, throwing it into disorder and rapidly causing a rout.{{sfn|Thion|2008|p=161}} The second echelon of Walloons then charged to help their comrades but a violent French cavalry charge sufficed to rout them. Only Gramont's Guards Squadron took heavy losses in this struggle with the second echelon.{{sfn|Thion|2008|p=161}}

Ligniville's Lorrainers advanced at a [[trot]] to meet the French right-wing cavalry under Condé, who were advancing at a walk. Both sides halted at [[pistol]]-shot, and neither side made a move for a time. Prior to the battle, Condé was impressed by the fire discipline of the German cavalry who never fired first and used their enemy's helplessness while reloading to charge and rout them.{{sfn|Thion|2008|p=164}} He therefore told his cavalry commanders to hold their fire as well to prevent the Germans from gaining an advantage.{{sfn|Thion|2008|p=164}} The Lorrainers eventually opened fire and killed, wounded or threw from their horse everyone in the French first lines. Condé gave the signal for his squadrons to open fire and then led the Gassion squadron on a charge, crushing the Lorrainer squadron opposite him.{{sfn|Thion|2008|p=163}} Six more French squadrons followed their General's lead and beat the rest of the Lorrainer line.{{sfn|Thion|2008|p=163}} The French cavalry reserve under Erlach came up and enveloped the exposed Lorrainer left, shattering them from the flank.{{sfn|Guthrie|2003|p=192}}