Swedish Offensive Into Prussia (1659)

The Swedish offensive into Prussia occurred from February to March 1659 during the Dano-Swedish War (1658–1660). It started when a Swedish force of 4,000 or 4,300 men under the command of Paul Würtz and Adolph John I entered Ducal Prussia, capturing several cities. The offensive was initially successful, but the gains were retaken after its end and did not lead to any lasting gains for the Swedes.

Background

In late January or in the beginning of February in 1659, Paul Würtz marched into Ducal Prussia with 2,000–2,173 cavalry. Once there, he united his forces with Duke Adolph John's 1,500 cavalry, 700–800 infantry, two 3-pound cannons, and one 60-pound mortar from Marienburg. Other sources claim he had 2,300 men. Despite the limited artillery and infantry preventing major sieges, the Swedish troops were experienced and second to none in Prussia.

Offensive

Once assembled at Czarne, the Swedes went on the offensive goal with the likely goal of forcing Frederick William into a separate peace treaty, or withdraw his troops from Jutland. Opposing the some 4,000–4,300 Swedes were 18,000 Allied troops. 5,750 Poles, 1,000 Imperial troops, 3,500 troops from Danzig, and 5,000 Brandenburgian troops. Additionally, there was an unknown number of levied troops.

Despite the disparity in numbers, the allies were both dispersed and for the most part in winter quarters. Due to this, the Swedes had initial success when they took Konitz in February. Additionally, they captured Kulm and Schwetz. They then proceeded into Ducal Prussia, capturing Saalfeld, Marienwerder, Mohrungen and Liebstadt after a series of skirmishes. They attempted to move towards Braunsberg, being stopped by the weak ice on the river Passarge. Adolph John returned to Marienburg to prevent an attack from Danzig against his rear.

The Swedes recaptured Dirschau in March, which was defended by Colonel Beaulieu with 300 men. Dirschau fell in three days, preventing reinforcements from arriving from Danzig. Consequently, communication from Danzig into inner Poland was cut. In a surprise attack, Stargard also fell after Major General Barthold von Bülow assaulted the city with 2,600 men without any losses, also looting Danziger Werder where he defeated a Brandenburgian force. He also attacked a force from the Danzig Army, killing 60 men.

Aftermath

Allied counteroffensive

Despite their success, the Swedish offensive was unable to continue. In March, Krzysztof Grodzicki reassembled some Polish units. This force, along with 400 Imperial dragoons, went on the counteroffensive. Major General Ernst von Görzke did as well with 1,800 cavalry and 1,000 dragoons. They slowly began taking back Swedish gains, and Adolph John and Würtz ordered every garrison from smaller fortifications to withdraw. On one hand, the Swedes had failed to pull Frederick William out of the war, but on the other hand they had tied up major resources from the Commonwealth and Brandenburg.

Additionally, the Poles, Brandenburgians, and Imperials were unable to agree on strategy, and negotiations collapsed in March. Frederick William feared the return of the Swedes, but also did not trust John Casimir. In Ducal Prussia, the defenses consisted of an army under Prince Bogusław Radziwiłł consisting of 2,224 cavalry, 3,475 infantry and 1,540 dragoons. Radziwiłł and other commanders were cautious over Robert Douglas' presence in Samogitia and thus hesitant to fight in support for the coalition in Royal Prussia.

In May, Görzke tried to blockade Marienburg with 2,700 men, but was futile due to Sweden being able to reinforce and supply the city from the sea. Moreover, limited offensives remained from the Swedish side, one against Oliwa by Adolph John with 4,000 men and another led by Würtz against Putzig.

Despite the initial Swedish success, their new conquests did not last for long, and the campaign did not result in any lasting gain despite the considerable sacrifices made by the weakening of the troops during the marches.

See also

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References

Works cited

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* {{Cite book , last=Isacson , first=Claes-Göran , title=Karl X Gustavs krig: Fälttågen i Polen, Tyskland, Baltikum, Danmark och Sverige 1655-1660 , publisher=Historiska Media , year=2015 , isbn=9789175450117 , language=sv , trans-title=Wars of Charles X Gustav: The campaigns in Poland, Germany, the Baltics, Denmark and Sweden 1655-1660
Battles involving the Swedish Empire
Battles involving the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth
Battles involving Brandenburg
Conflicts in 1659
Battles of the Deluge (history)
Invasions by Sweden
Military campaigns involving Sweden