After their defeat in the Battle of Helsingborg in 1710, the Danish Army
evacuated Skane. Frederik IV then decided to turn his attention to the
Swedish possessions in Northern Germany. The fortress of Wismar was
the first and nearest goal, and a Danish army of 19,000 men was
assembleclin Holstein in the beginning of July 1711 in orderto open the
new campaign.
In the meantime Frederik IV's alliance partners, especially August 11 of
Poland, convinced him to first concentrate all efforts on the capture of
the verystrongand important fortress of Stralsund. Asa result, the Danish
army continued its march through Mecklenburg towards Pommerania
leaving only a weak observation and blockading corps of 2 infantry battalions (Viborg and Hansen) and 28 squadrons of cavalry 0. fynskje rytterrgnmt., 1. and 3. sjaellandske rytterrgmt., Brockdorff's and Fursmann's kyrassererrgmt., and Bulow's dragonrgmt.
[3] under the leadership of
jorgen Rantzau. Rantzau burned to revenge the defeat at Helsingborg
and it would not be long before an opportunity offered itself.
The Swedish garrison of Wismar totalled about 5,000 men, and consisted
of 1 dragoon regiment (Bassewitz's dragoons) and 4 infantry regiments
(Furstenberg's [4], Posse's
[5], Lewenhaupt's [6], and a commanded regiment
with drafts from the Pornmeranian regiments) under the command of
General Schoultz. The Swedish general had with the help of spies a good
knowledge of the conditions in the Dansih camp. He found out that the
Danish strength was reduced to 3,000 men because of sickness and
desesrtion -- less than the garrison of Wismar -- and Rantzau had sent
1,000 men to Lubeck and Rostock to obtain forage.
He decided to attack and destroy the Danish camp and force them to retire. Schoultz
assembled a force of 6 battalions, 6 squadrons and 12 cannon (2,500
men) on the night of 4 December for that purpose.
Unluckily for the Swedes, Rantzau received word that something was
going to occur. He ordered his cavalry to saddle up and his whole force
stood to arms during the middle of the night. At 5:00 in the morning the
Swedes attacked and threw themselves with fury on the Danish right
flank, Bulow's dragoons wavered int he face of nuernrical superiority, but
received the support of the 3. sjaellandske rytterregiment, Brockdorff's
kyrassererand Fursmann's nationalejyske kyrasserer. Thereafterthe fight
ebbed and flowed a couple of hours. Meanwhile, the Swedish dragoons
entered the Dansih camp where they began to plunderand burn.
Shortly after the Swedish infantry followed and in the excitement fired to their
right and left. Rounds were flying around the ears of Schoultz and his
dragoons. Many of the camp huts were already in flames and the confusion increased more as the Swedish artillery continuously fired into the camp. Some Swedish infantry were wounded. Their cries of pain caused "a considerable confusion", and the battalions began to dissolve.
Schoultz realized that the attack had come to a standstill and he decided to retire.
In the meantime it had begun to get light. Rantzau got an overview of
the conditions and made his dispositions. In full gallop he led the 1.
fynske rutterregiment under juel past the enemy and attacked them in
the rear. Atthesametime heordered Brocksclorff's kyrssererand Lovenhjelm's 1. sjaellandske rytterregiemnt to attack the enemy's front and flank.
Bassewitz's dragoons were the first to break. Theyfled and left the infantry and artillery to save themselves. A few of the Swedish battalions
formed square and placed cannon in the intervals in order to resist the
Danish cavalry during the retreat, but their fate was sealed. The Jyske
nationale kurasserregiment under Fursmann broke the squares in a
furious assault. All who did not throw down their arms were cut down. Of
all the Swedish infantry only 29 escaped. Schoultz only saved himself
with difficulty and barely made it back to the fortress.
The Swedish loss amounted to 478 dead and 1,904 prisoners of whom
500 were wounded. All the Swedish artillery, 12 cannon, fell into Danish
hands. The Danes lost 279 killed and wounded, including Brigade
General Bulow, whose wound was so serious that he died a few weeks later.
Rantzau had onceagain shown what a brilliant cavalry leader he was, and
the Danish cavalry had shown great courage and tenaciousness during
the day. Unfortunately, Rantzau could not use his victory to take Wisman. He lacked artillery; and even when he finally received a few pieces from the army at Sralsund, he had to cease firing for lack of ammunition.
It would be four more years before this important fortress was captured.
This happened on 24 April 1716 when a Danish-Prussian corps captured
the city after a long bombardment and fierce fighting.
SOURCES
Johansen, Oberstlojtnant Jens. Den Store Nordiske Krig.
ENDNOTES
Two Cavalry Actions Great Northern War 1710 and 1711
Vaupell, 0. Den dansk-norsk Haers Historie, Vol. I
[1] Vastgota tremanningsregements till hast. Colonel - G.F. Lewenhaupt.
[2] Smalands och Skanska tremanningsregementet till hast. Colonel - Coran Gyllenstierna.
[3] Also known as Ungarke (Hungarian) dragonregiment. it had been pan of the Danish Auxiliary Corps in the service of the Austrians until 1709.
[4] Cuvernorsregements i Wismar (varvade).
[5] Kungl. Maj: ts Sven s ka Lifregements till tots (varvade).
[6] Infanteriregemente i Wismar (varvade). Colonel - C.J. Lewenhaupt.
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