Battle of Køge facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Køge
Part of the Gunboat War and Napoleonic Wars
Date 29 August 1807 Location Køge, Denmark–Norway 55°27′22″N 12°10′47″E / 55.45611°N 12.17972°E / 55.45611; 12.17972 Result British victory
Belligerents
United Kingdom	Denmark–Norway
Commanders and leaders
Arthur Wellesley	Joachim Castenschiold
Strength
6,000 infantry 1,376 cavalry 12 guns	7,000 militia 600 cavalry 13 guns
Casualties and losses
151 killed, wounded or captured	356 killed or wounded 1,700 captured

The Battle of Køge was a fight that happened on August 29, 1807. It was between British soldiers and Danish fighters near Køge, Denmark. The British won this battle.

People also call it 'Træskoslaget' or 'the Clogs Battle'. This is because many Danish fighters ran away. They threw off their heavy wooden clogs to escape faster.

Why the Battle Happened

Fear of the Danish Fleet

The British government was worried. They thought the powerful Danish navy might join forces with France. At this time, Britain and France were enemies in the Napoleonic Wars.

Britain told Denmark to send its navy to Britain. If Denmark refused, Britain would declare war. Denmark said no to this demand.

British Attack on Copenhagen

So, British troops landed in Denmark on August 16. They arrived near Vedbæk. Their goal was to surround and attack Copenhagen, the capital city. This was part of the Battle of Copenhagen.

Danish Fighters Prepare

The Danish government wanted to stop the British. They ordered a general named Joachim Castenschiold to gather a special group of fighters. This group was called a frikorps, which means a "free corps." Their job was to break the British attack on Copenhagen.

Castenschiold's forces gathered near Roskilde and Lejre. Another general, Peter Lotharius Oxholm, went south. He brought more local defense forces to join Castenschiold.

Meeting at Køge

Castenschiold arrived in Køge on August 26. Two days later, General Oxholm and his troops joined him. Together, they had about 7,000 local fighters, 600 cavalry (soldiers on horseback), and 13 cannons.

Meanwhile, the British leaders in Copenhagen learned about the Danish fighters. On August 27, General Arthur Wellesley was told to find and defeat them. Wellesley later became famous as the Duke of Wellington.

The Battle of Køge

British Forces

General Wellesley led about 6,000 British and German soldiers. His infantry (foot soldiers) included:

• The 1st Battalion of the 43rd Foot
• The 2nd Battalion of the 52nd Foot
• The 1st Battalion of the 92nd Foot
• Five companies from the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the 95th Foot
• The 6th Line Battalion of the King's German Legion

He also had 1,620 cavalry soldiers. These were from the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd King's German Legion Hussar Regiments. For artillery, Wellesley had eight 6-pound cannons and two 5.5-inch howitzers. These were operated by the Royal Horse Artillery and the King's German Legion.

Danish Forces

General Castenschiold's force had 7,000 infantry soldiers. They were organized into 11 battalions. He also had 150 cavalry soldiers in two squadrons. About 120 artillerists operated nine cannons.

The infantry included battalions from North and South Zealand Landværn (local defense). The cavalry included horsemen from the Zealand Cavalry Regiment and Landværn Cavalry.

After the Battle

Losses on Both Sides

From August 16 to August 31, the British and German forces had 29 soldiers killed. Another 122 were wounded, and 21 were missing.

The Danish forces had more losses. Two Danish officers were killed and four were wounded. About 150 regular soldiers were killed, and 200 were wounded.

Prisoners and Captured Items

The biggest loss for the Danes was in prisoners. The British captured over 1,700 Danish soldiers. This included General Oxholm, nine majors, 19 captains, and 28 lieutenants.

The British also took all nine Danish cannons. They captured one flag and 68 wagons. The Battle of Køge was a clear victory for the British.