A little known battle, it is one of the battles the Swedes inscribed on their post war monument to the Thirty Years' War. Considered to be on of the great triumphs of Swedish arms although the Hessians and German Allies were two-thirds of the army. Victory insured the line of communications to the main armies fighting in Slesia to the east and south of the Main in the west. Tactically important because the famed Swedish Brigade was probably used for the last time on this field. Because of this firm base against the remains of Pappenheim's cohorts, Berhard could capture Regensberg and Wallenstein's treachery against Thurn at Steinau CDO was without strategic significance.
Dodo Kniphausen commanded the Swedes. Dodo was a successful entrepreneur able to raise good troops and make money. However, in battle, he was less competent and the battlefield command was in the hands of George of Luneburg. William of Hesse was leading his Army and was a reliable officer. Dodo was probably not with the main armies partly because he had made a name for himself successfully defending towns against superior enemy forces both in Northern Germany and Poland. Possibly he also was not selected for higher command because he was bigoted against Scots.
Merode commanded the Imperial forces with Gronsfeld in Westphalia. The old stomping grounds of the late Pappenheim, most of the men were old followers of him. Merode's mission was to harass the enemy and cut off the Swedes from the Baltic if possible. Merode, who is one of the men that word Marauder is attributed to, had accomplished the harasment mission and was retiring to safety when forced to fight. However, the odds looked good to him for an Imperial victory and it proved to be a hard fought action.
TERRAIN
Weser River can be crossed only at the bridge.
The woods are heavy and only passable to musketeers and dragoons.
The town can hold 500 men (12 figures). Must dice D6 to leave once entered.
| ORDER OF BATTLE FOR THE PROTESTANTS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| # | Type/Name | Morale/Ratio | Nationality |
| Dragoons | |||
| 8 | Kaggens | Veteran | Sweden |
| 8 | St. Anders | Regular | German/Sweden |
| 8 | Jangers | Veteran(Rifles?) | Hesse Cassel |
| Cuirassier | |||
| 8 | Uslar | Regular | Hesse Cassel |
| 8 | Williams | Veteran | Hesse Cassel |
| 8 | Kniphausen | Veteran | German/Sweden |
| 8 | Mitschfall | Militia | German/Sweden |
| 8 | George of BL | Veteran | Brunswick/Luneberg |
| 8 | Ernest King | Regular | Brunswick/Luneberg |
| Medium Cavalry | |||
| 8 | Mercer | Militia | Hesse Cassel |
| 8 | Seekirch | Militia | Hesse Cassel |
| 8 | Eric Anderson | Veteran | Sweden |
| 8 | Yessler | Militia | Brunswick/Luneberg |
| Foot | |||
| 60 | Swedish Brigade Kniphausen & Mitschfall | Veteran(24p & 24m + 12cs) | German/Swedish |
| 60 | Brunswick Brigade | Militia(24p & 24m +12 cs) | Brunswick/Luneberg |
| 60 | Yssler & George | Regular | (Hanover) |
| 36 | Gevso | Militia(12p & 18m) | Hesse Cassel |
| 36 | Thilo Uslar | Regular(12p & 18m) | Hesse Cassel |
| 24 | 'Green' | Veteran(12p & 12m) | Hesse Cassel |
One Swedish medium gun and two light guns. "p" = pikemen; "m" = musketeers. Breakpoint = 9. Generals: Kniphausen, George and William. NOTES: Grimmelhausen might have served in St. Anders' Regiment and Ernest King is the old Scot himself. At least in this battle, he did not get a chance to "hang back."
| ORDER OF BATTLE - IMPERIALISTS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| # | Type/Name | Morale | Ratio |
| Dragoons | |||
| 8 | Bonninghausen | Veteran | - |
| 8 | Sparr | Regular | - |
| Arquebusiers | |||
| 8 | Westphalia | Militia | - |
| 8 | Jung Collorado | Regular | |
| 8 | St. Martin | Militia | - | - |
| 8 | Gronsfeld | Veteran | - |
| Cuirassier | |||
| 8 | Hasenberg | Militia | - |
| 8 | Boninghausen | Regular | - |
| 8 | Wesphalia | Militia | - |
| 8 | Merode | Veteran | - |
| 8 | Gonzaga | Veteran | - |
| 8 | Aldobrandini | Regular | - |
| 8 | Bredow | Militia | - |
| Foot | |||
| 36 | P. Mansfield | Regular | 12p & 18m |
| 36 | 3. Aldringen | Veteran | 12p & 18m |
| 36 | Merode | Veteran | 12p & 18m |
| 36 | Mantuffel | Militia | 12p & 18m |
| 36 | Rittberg Ost Freisland | Militia | 12p & 18m |
| 36 | Westphalia | Militia | 12p & 18m |
| 36 | S. Albert (Werner Tilly) | Elite | 12p & 18M |
One heavy gun and two light guns.
Breakpoint = 8.
Generals: Merode and Gronsfeld.
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© Copyright 2002 Hal Thinglum
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