The Battle of Dettingen took place on June 27, 1743, in Bavaria, near the village of Dettingen. It was fought between British and Allied forces and the French army during the larger context of the War of the Austrian Succession. George II, who was also the Elector of Hanover, took the unprecedented step of leading his troops himself, a move that stirred both patriotic fervor and political critique. At the time, the British forces were part of a broader coalition fighting against French expansion under Louis XV.

The battle commenced in the early hours as French forces attempted to encircle the British and their allies. With approximately 19,000 men, the British troops stood their ground against a larger French army. George II's presence instilled confidence among his men, and despite the chaos of battle, his personal involvement is noted as a rallying point. The British army executed a successful counterattack, leading to a decisive victory, even as they faced heavy artillery fire. This victory was crucial for the British morale and set the stage for future engagements in the War of the Austrian Succession.

Dettingen is particularly notable for being the last battle in which a reigning British monarch actually led troops into combat. After this, British kings would refrain from military service, preferring instead to assume a more ceremonial and strategic role in military affairs. The victory at Dettingen was celebrated in Britain, earning George II considerable acclaim, yet it also marked the beginning of a shift away from monarchs on the battlefield toward more traditional military leaders and strategists in the royal courts.