Battle of Kumlinge facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Kumlinge
Part of the Finnish War (Napoleonic Wars)
Memorial stone over the battle
Date 9 or 10 May 1808 Location Kumlinge, Åland in Finland Result Swedish victory
Belligerents
Sweden	Russian Empire
Commanders and leaders
Henrik Gummerus	Colonel Vuitsch
Strength
450 peasants	450 infantry
Casualties and losses
3 killed 3 wounded	1 killed 449 captured

The Battle of Kumlinge was a key event during the Finnish War, which was a conflict between Sweden and the Russian Empire. This battle happened on May 9 or 10, 1808, in Kumlinge, a place in Åland, Finland. It was the main event of the "Åland riots," where local people fought against Russian forces. In this battle, about 450 armed local people, led by Henrik Gummerus, defeated and captured a similar number of Russian soldiers. This Russian force was led by Colonel Vuitsch.

The Finnish War Explained

The Finnish War was a big conflict that took place between 1808 and 1809. It was fought between Sweden and Russia. This war was also part of the larger Napoleonic Wars happening across Europe. The main goal for Russia was to take control of Finland, which was then a part of Sweden.

Why Åland Was Important

Åland is a group of islands located between Sweden and Finland. Because of its location, it was very important for controlling the Baltic Sea. During the Finnish War, Russian forces quickly moved into Finland. They also occupied Åland in March 1808.

The Åland Riots Begin

When the Russian soldiers arrived, the people of Åland were not happy. They did not want to be under Russian rule. This led to a series of uprisings, or "riots," across the islands.

How the Uprising Started

The first spark of the uprising happened on March 19, 1808. It began in a meeting house called a Sockenstuga. From there, the desire to fight back spread quickly across all of Åland. The local people, mostly farmers and fishermen, decided to take action. They armed themselves with whatever they could find.

The Battle of Kumlinge

The uprising reached its peak in Kumlinge. This is where the main battle took place. The local people gathered their forces to confront the Russian soldiers.

The Forces Involved

• Local Fighters: About 450 armed peasants joined the fight. They were led by Henrik Gummerus. He was a brave leader who inspired the local people.
• Russian Soldiers: The Russian force also had about 450 infantry soldiers. They were led by Colonel Vuitsch.

The Fight at the Rectory

The battle happened near the Kumlinge rectory, which was the headquarters for the Russian forces. The armed peasants bravely attacked the Russian position. The fight was intense, but the local people fought with great determination.

Outcome of the Battle

The battle ended with a clear victory for the local people.

• Local Fighters' Losses: Only 3 peasants were killed, and 3 were wounded.
• Russian Losses: The Russians had 1 soldier killed and 8 wounded. Most importantly, 449 Russian soldiers were captured.

After the Battle

After Colonel Vuitsch and his soldiers surrendered, the Russian occupation of Åland quickly ended.

Liberation of Åland

Only about 50 Russian soldiers remained on another island called Brändö. After a short fight, these remaining soldiers were also captured. With this, all of Åland was freed from Russian control. The Battle of Kumlinge was a significant moment. It showed the courage of the local people in defending their home.