1. RECRUITMENT

The Swedish system required each district to supply a draft of men, 15 years and older. The number required was determined by the district's population, and the district received grants of land in return. Every tenth man was selected by boards similar to present day draft boards, and exceptions were granted to specific vital trades such as miners, armorers, and families which already had one son in the army.

Now Sweden had a Population of only 1,500,000 people at this time and it appears that the Swedish National Army never exceeded approximately 40,000 men. During his campaign in Germany Gustavus Adolphus was forced to rely more and more on Mercenaries and allies for bulk, but as long as he lived the Swedish National Army formed the backbone of all his military actions. After his death Axel Oxenstiern managed to gradually extract Sweden from the war until the only Swedish Army that remained in Germany was one made up of Former Swedish mercenary troops who were in French pay.

The Imperialists by contrast were hired mercenaries whose loyalty was primarily to their company or regimental commander. Loyalty to country or army commander was weak, and discipline was almost impossible to enforce. The army commander was usually the commander of the largest body of mercenary troops. The inability of the Imperialist Army commander to discinline mercenary troops and commanders was to provide a severe command and control problem for them throughout the war.

II. ENGINEERING

Legend has it that unon setting foot on German soil Gustavus knelt in prayer, and then seized a spade and began digging field fortifications. Whatever the truth may be, the Swedish had taken the lessons of the Netherlands War well. Gustavus' staff contained a general of fortifications and engineering, and his expeditionary force contained a larne contingent of permanently ornanized and specially trained sappers. Further all his troops carried a spade and knew how to erect field fortifications and pontoon bridges. The Swedish normally made a fortified camp at the end of a march, much as the Romans had done years before.

By contrast the Imperialists paid little attention to engineering, and rather than keep a force of specialists constantly on hand, preferred to hire them when they thought they needed them.

More Swedish National Army of Gustavus Adolphus

Introduction
Recruitment and Engineering
Medical, Pay, Administration, and Supply
Organization and Tactics