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|partof=the ] |partof=the ]
|date=], ] |date=], ]
|place=Honigfeld, Prussia (now known as ], ]) |place=Trzciana now known as ], ]
|result=continued |result=Polish victory
|combatant1=]

|combatant1=Imperial troops in aid of ] and ], sent by emperor ]
|combatant2=] |combatant2=]
|commander1=Imperial Troop Commander ] and ], Field Crown Hetman of Poland |commander1=], Field Crown Hetman of Poland
|commander2=], King of Sweden |commander2=], King of Sweden
|strength1=1,300 hussars<br>1,200 light cavalry<br>2,000 reiters |strength1=1,300 hussars<br>1,200 light cavalry<br>2,000 reiters
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}} }}


The '''Schlacht or Treffen bei Honigfeld''' see location on Prussia map below, (Polish: Trzciana) in June ]) was one of many skirmishes during the ] and a part of it was the ]. In these battles ]'s Polish forces led by ] ] and imperial troops under ] and ], sent by emperor Ferdinand to aid Sigismund III, met with troops commanded by Swedish King ], who supported the Protestant Lutherans of Germany and northern Europe. The '''Battle of Trzciana''' (], ]) was the final ] of ]. In this battle Polish forces led by ] ] defeated twice larger Swedish army commanded by King ].


== History == == History ==
⚫ === Eve of the Battle ===
Swedish and Polish-Lithuanian king Sigismund III sought to hold on to the crown of Sweden, but was rejected be the Swedish people, and Sigismund's uncle Karl became king of Sweden instead. Sigismund wanted to regain the Swedish crown and he also wanted to gain the crown of Russia. Russia sent help to Karl of Sweden. The ] under the ]s attempted to regain European countries for Catholicism and keep them from turning Lutheran and thereby Sweden gaining full supremacy over the ]. Sigismund III of Poland-Lithuania sought to rest the Baltic Sea with its lucrative trade routes for himself and he repeatedly requested Swedish king Gustav Adolph to denonce his title of Swedish king as a prerequesit for a truce and peace negotiations. The Swedes saw through these delaying tactics by Sigismund III and so the battles and skirmished went on for years.


⚫ Polish king ] has received military support of 5000 infantry and ] from ] ]. Reinforcements, led by general Jan Georg Arnheim arrived at late spring 1629, and set their camp near ]. Gustav Adolf decided to attack this force, and led his army of 4,000 cavalry and 5,000 infantry from ] against them.
⚫ === Eve of the Meeting at the Honigfeld ===

⚫ Polish king ] has received military support of 5000 infantry and ] from ] ]. Reinforcements, led by General von Arnim and by Ernst Georg Sparr, arrived in Prussia in late spring 1629, and they set up camp near Graudenz (]). Gustav Adolf decided to attack this force, and led his army of 4,000 cavalry and 5,000 infantry from Marienburg (]) against them.


=== Battle === === Battle ===


The forces led by Koniecpolski (Polish hetman) and by von Arnim and Sparr (imperial) made contact with the Swedish rearguard waiting at the village of Honigfeld(e) on Stuhmsdorfer Haide (now Trzciana). The joint force of Polish and Austrian soldiers led by Koniecpolski (Polish hetman) and von Arnim (Austrian general) made contact with the Swedish rearguard waiting at the village of Trzciana (Honigfelde).


Upon learning of the proximity of the Polish-Imperial force, Gustav II Adolf ordered the troops of the Count from the Rhine (Rhein Graf) to continue the march as it is learned that the Polish and Imperial forces are in the vicinity. The Rhein count however does not follow his order and instead maintains a position at Honigfeld(e). Meanwhile Koniecpolski ordered his cossacks to advance through the woods NW of Sadowe and the Hussars to make another flanking manoeuvre behinds the hills SE of of Honigfeld(e). Von Arnims slower reiters reaches the battlefield last and forms into battle order to attack the Swedes from the front. Upon learning of the proximity of the Polish-Imperial force, Gustav II Adolf orders the Rhein count to continue the march as it is learned that the Polish Imperial force is in the vicinity. The Rhein count however does not follow his order and instead maintains a position at Trzciana. Meanwhile has Koniecpolski ordered his cossacks to advance through the woods NW of Sadowe and the Hussars to make another flanking manoeuvre behinds the hills SE of of Trzciana. von Arnims slower reiters reaches the battlefield last and forms into battle order to attack the Swedes from the front.


The Swedish leather cannons began to fire on the approaching cossacks as they came out of the woods and the Rheincount orders his arquebuisers to attack them. Both the cossacks and arquebuisers were mobile cavalry with a good firepower but the Germans arquebuisers gained the upper hand and began pushing the outnumbered cossacks back towards the forest. At this moment the Polish Hussars arrived from their flanking manoeuvre, a few banners are sent to deal with the Swedish artillery and 60-80 musketeers supporting them but the majority of them advance to charge the engaged arquebuisers. The Swedish leather cannons begin to fire on the approaching cossacks as they come out of the woods and the Rheincount orders his arquebuisers to attack them. Both the cossacks and arquebuisers are mobile cavalry with a good firepower but the Germans arquebuisers gain the upper hand and begins pushing the outnumbered cossacks back towards the forest. At this moment the Polish Husaria arrives from their flanking manoeuvre, a few banners are sent to deal with the Swedish artillery and 60-80 musketeers supporting them but the majority of them advance to charge the engaged arquebuisers.


The arquebuisers understandably and quickly collapses as the hussars charged their flank and rear and fled in great disorder towards the north where the rest of the army was. Gustav II Adolf tried to buy them time to regroup by charging with the Battallie (Zakarias Paulis squadron and Reinhold Anreps Finnish squadron) but most of the Battallie is demoralised by the flight of the rearguard and joins the flight. Gustav II Adolf is put to great risk as he and the remaining cavalry are faced with the pursuing cossacks. Gustav II Adolf is almost captured by a but escapes by throwing off his harness over his head and is able to flee together with the rest of the cavalry. The arquebuisers understandably and quickly collapses as the hussars charge their flank and rear and flee in great disorder towards the north where the rest of the army is. Gustav II Adolf tries to buy them time to regroup by charging with the Battallie (Zakarias Paulis squadron and Reinhold Anreps Finnish squadron) but most of the Battallie is demoralised by the flight of the rearguard and joins the flight. Gustav II Adolf is put to great risk as he and the remaining cavalry are faced with the pursuing cossacks. Gustav II Adolf is almost captured by a but escapes by throwing off his harness over his head and is able to flee together with the rest of the cavalry.


The situation is critical as they reach the village Straszewo but field marshal Wrangel momentarily stabilises the situation by charging the pursuing Poles with his entire force. This gives Gustav II Adolf the time to reassemble some of the fleeing squadrons and rejoin battle. Then von Arnim's cuirassiers and Konieckpolski's hussars once again charged the battle and the Swedes are once again thrown back, but this time in better order. The Swedes then begin a withdrawal to Pulkowitz where the Gardescuirassiers and Streiffs squadron have taken up a defensive position while the infantry and artillery have continued to Neudorf where they took up defensive position at a river crossing. The situation is critical as they reach the village Straszewo but field marshal Wrangel momentarily stabilises the situation by charging the pursuing Poles with his entire force. This gives Gustav II Adolf the time to reassemble some of the fleeing squadrons and rejoin battle. Then von Arnim's cuirassiers and Konieckpolski's hussars once again charges the battle and the Swedes are once again thrown back, but this time in better order. The Swedes then begin a withdrawal to Pulkowitz where the Gardescuirassiers and Streiffs squadron has taken up a defensive position while the infantry and artillery have continued to Neudorf where they take up a defensive position at a river crossing.


The Swedes are during their retreat subjected to a fierce pursuit but as they near Pulkowitz, they were relieved by a counter attack by Streiffs squadron. The battle now reaches a deadlock between the Swedes and the Poles until von Arnim once again catches up with his cuirassiers and turns the battle against the Swedes. The Swedes again withdraw, this time to Neudorf where the infantry and artillery have taken their position and without too much trouble are able to hold off the tired Polish-Imperial cavalry until darkness falls. The next day are the Swedes able to unmolested withdraw to Marienburg. The Swedes are during their retreat subjected to a fierce pursuit but as they near Pulkowitz are they relieved by a counter attack by Streiffs squadron. The battle now reaches a deadlock between the Swedes and the Poles until von Arnim once again catches up with his cuirassiers and turns the battle against the Swedes. The Swedes now once against withdraws, this time to Neudorf where the infantry and artillery have taken their position and are without too much trouble are able to hold off the tired Polish-Imperial cavalry until darkness falls. The next day are the Swedes able to unmolested withdraw to Marienburg.


=== After the Battle === === After the Battle ===


During the battle, Swedish cavalry suffered serious cavalry, losing about 600 dead of which 200 captured were captured by the Poles, including many high ranking officers. Swedish infantry, however, remained mostly intact, so the balance of forces in the war didn't change. During the battle, Swedish cavalry suffered serious cavalry, losing about 600 dead of which 200 captured were captured by the Poles, including many high ranking officers. Swedish infantry, however, remained mostly intact, so the balance of forces in the war didn't change.

Several more month of encampment and skirmishes follow, until diplomats from other countries arrive at Warsaw and a truce is called.

==External link ==
* south of Marienburg and Stu(h)m


{{DEFAULTSORT:Trzciana 1629}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Trzciana 1629}}
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Revision as of 14:07, 24 August 2008

Battle of Trzciana
Part of the Polish-Swedish War (1626–1629)
DateJune 25, 1629
LocationTrzciana now known as Trzciano, Poland
Result Polish victory
Belligerents
Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth Sweden
Commanders and leaders
Stanisław Koniecpolski, Field Crown Hetman of Poland Gustav II Adolf, King of Sweden
Strength
1,300 hussars
1,200 light cavalry
2,000 reiters		 4,000 cavalry
5,000 infantry
Casualties and losses
300 dead 600 dead
200 captured

The Battle of Trzciana (June 25, 1629) was the final battle of Polish-Swedish War (1626–1629). In this battle Polish forces led by field crown hetman Stanisław Koniecpolski defeated twice larger Swedish army commanded by King Gustav II Adolf.

History

Eve of the Battle

Polish king Sigismund III Vasa has received military support of 5000 infantry and reiters from emperor Ferdinand II. Reinforcements, led by general Jan Georg Arnheim arrived at late spring 1629, and set their camp near Grudziądz. Gustav Adolf decided to attack this force, and led his army of 4,000 cavalry and 5,000 infantry from Malbork against them.

Battle

The joint force of Polish and Austrian soldiers led by Koniecpolski (Polish hetman) and von Arnim (Austrian general) made contact with the Swedish rearguard waiting at the village of Trzciana (Honigfelde).

Upon learning of the proximity of the Polish-Imperial force, Gustav II Adolf orders the Rhein count to continue the march as it is learned that the Polish Imperial force is in the vicinity. The Rhein count however does not follow his order and instead maintains a position at Trzciana. Meanwhile has Koniecpolski ordered his cossacks to advance through the woods NW of Sadowe and the Hussars to make another flanking manoeuvre behinds the hills SE of of Trzciana. von Arnims slower reiters reaches the battlefield last and forms into battle order to attack the Swedes from the front.

The Swedish leather cannons begin to fire on the approaching cossacks as they come out of the woods and the Rheincount orders his arquebuisers to attack them. Both the cossacks and arquebuisers are mobile cavalry with a good firepower but the Germans arquebuisers gain the upper hand and begins pushing the outnumbered cossacks back towards the forest. At this moment the Polish Husaria arrives from their flanking manoeuvre, a few banners are sent to deal with the Swedish artillery and 60-80 musketeers supporting them but the majority of them advance to charge the engaged arquebuisers.

The arquebuisers understandably and quickly collapses as the hussars charge their flank and rear and flee in great disorder towards the north where the rest of the army is. Gustav II Adolf tries to buy them time to regroup by charging with the Battallie (Zakarias Paulis squadron and Reinhold Anreps Finnish squadron) but most of the Battallie is demoralised by the flight of the rearguard and joins the flight. Gustav II Adolf is put to great risk as he and the remaining cavalry are faced with the pursuing cossacks. Gustav II Adolf is almost captured by a but escapes by throwing off his harness over his head and is able to flee together with the rest of the cavalry.

The situation is critical as they reach the village Straszewo but field marshal Wrangel momentarily stabilises the situation by charging the pursuing Poles with his entire force. This gives Gustav II Adolf the time to reassemble some of the fleeing squadrons and rejoin battle. Then von Arnim's cuirassiers and Konieckpolski's hussars once again charges the battle and the Swedes are once again thrown back, but this time in better order. The Swedes then begin a withdrawal to Pulkowitz where the Gardescuirassiers and Streiffs squadron has taken up a defensive position while the infantry and artillery have continued to Neudorf where they take up a defensive position at a river crossing.

The Swedes are during their retreat subjected to a fierce pursuit but as they near Pulkowitz are they relieved by a counter attack by Streiffs squadron. The battle now reaches a deadlock between the Swedes and the Poles until von Arnim once again catches up with his cuirassiers and turns the battle against the Swedes. The Swedes now once against withdraws, this time to Neudorf where the infantry and artillery have taken their position and are without too much trouble are able to hold off the tired Polish-Imperial cavalry until darkness falls. The next day are the Swedes able to unmolested withdraw to Marienburg.

After the Battle

During the battle, Swedish cavalry suffered serious cavalry, losing about 600 dead of which 200 captured were captured by the Poles, including many high ranking officers. Swedish infantry, however, remained mostly intact, so the balance of forces in the war didn't change.

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