Battle of Trangen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Trangen |
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| Part of the Dano-Swedish War of 1808-1809 | |||||||
 Surrounded Swedish forces, by Andreas Bloch |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Sweden |
 Denmark–Norway |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Carl Pontus Gahn (POW) |
Bernhard Ditlef von Staffeldt |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 531 | 1,050 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 25 killed 57 wounded 433 captured |
15 killed 52 wounded 2 captured |
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The Battle of Trangen was a fight between Swedish and Norwegian soldiers. It happened on April 25, 1808, in a place called Trangen, near Flisa in Norway. This battle was part of a bigger conflict, the Dano-Swedish War of 1808-1809.
Swedish troops, led by Colonel Carl Pontus Gahn, invaded Norway. But Norwegian soldiers, led by Bernhard Ditlef von Staffeldt, surrounded them. The Swedish forces had to give up. Colonel Gahn and about 450 of his soldiers were captured.
Contents
Why the Battle Happened
After some earlier fights, the Swedish army wanted to capture Kongsvinger Fortress. This fortress was very important for controlling the area. General Gustaf Mauritz Armfelt planned a special attack. He wanted Colonel Gahn's "Flying Corps" to help.
The Swedish Plan
Gahn's plan was to cross the border into Norway. He would march to Åsnes. From there, he would go south along the Glomma river. His goal was to reach Kongsvinger. This would be a surprise attack from the north.
Swedish Soldiers Advance
On the night of April 24, Gahn's soldiers crossed the Norway-Sweden border. They were from the 2nd battalion of the Dalarna Regiment. They marched west, along the south side of the Flisa River. They marched at night to surprise the Norwegian guards.
At dawn, they were near the Flisa River. They met the first Norwegian guards. The Norwegians fired warning shots. They quickly reported that the Swedes were coming.
Norwegian Defenders Get Ready
Colonel Bernhard Ditlef von Staffeldt led the Norwegian defenders. They had been setting up defenses since early April. Staffeldt's group included different types of soldiers. There were grenadiers, ski troops, and light infantry.
Staffeldt was not sure what the Swedes would do. It seemed strange that the Swedes marched into Trangen. Trangen was a narrow pass between tall cliffs. He worried it might be a trap. Still, he sent 270 men to Trangen. This position had roadblocks made of trees. It was a good place to stop the Swedes.
The Battle of Trangen Begins
Later that day, Colonel Gahn's lead soldiers reached the Trangen pass. Captain Elias Nægler's Norwegian companies were waiting there. The Swedes attacked right away. The attack was very strong. Captain Nægler had to ask for more soldiers.
For about an hour, the fighting was intense. It looked like the Swedes might break through. Meanwhile, Colonel Staffeldt moved his main force. He went east to block a crossing north of the river. When he arrived, he saw the Swedes moving west. They were on the south side of the river.
Staffeldt sent patrols to check for more Swedish troops. Major Stabell and Ræder urged him to attack the Swedes from behind. They said the battle would be lost if he waited. Staffeldt finally agreed after learning no more Swedish troops were coming.
Norwegians Attack from Behind
About 500 Norwegian soldiers attacked. Major Ræder led them. They included ski troops, sharpshooters, and grenadiers. They crossed the frozen river. They attacked the Swedish soldiers at Gammelseter.
The Norwegians quickly pushed back the Swedish rear guard. Colonel Gahn realized a large force was attacking him from behind. He was in danger of being surrounded. So, he stopped attacking the Trangen pass. He turned his whole battalion around to face the new attackers. He told his soldiers to fall back and regroup.
Fierce Fighting and Heroism
The two armies met on a hill. The Swedish forces pushed the Norwegians back. But Major Ræder and his officers managed to rally their troops twice. During this part of the battle, Captain Nicolay Peter Drejer showed great bravery. He climbed onto a pine stump. From there, he commanded his troops. He also shot at the Swedes. Two grenadiers helped him reload his weapons quickly. His brave actions boosted the morale of the Norwegian soldiers.
However, Captain Drejer was an easy target on the stump. He was shot seven times and fell, badly wounded. Gahn's troops tried repeatedly to push the Norwegians back. They succeeded in pushing them, but they could not break through. This meant they could not retreat the way they came.
Swedes Are Surrounded
From Trangen, Captain Nægler heard the heavy fighting. He quickly marched his grenadiers towards the sound. They attacked Gahn's rear guard. This made the situation much worse for the Swedes. Gahn now had to fight on two sides. Deep snow on both sides of the road made it hard for Gahn's soldiers to move.
When Norwegian ski troops attacked the Swedish sides, the Swedes were almost completely surrounded. Colonel Gahn tried to ask for talks, but no one heard him. The surrounded Swedish troops ran out of most of their ammunition. They had to surrender. Almost all of them were captured. A few soldiers escaped through the woods.
After the battle, Staffeldt sent troops to Midtskog in Sweden. There, the remaining Swedish soldiers were captured.
After the Battle
Captured officers, including Colonel Carl Pontus Gahn, went to a field hospital. Many wounded Swedish and Norwegian soldiers also filled the hospital. Other Swedish prisoners were marched to Åsnes church. Later, they were sent to Drammen and Lier.
Captain Nicolay Peter Drejer was badly hurt. He was taken to Sønsterud Farm. He died there four days later from his injuries.
Colonel Gahn's attack was the last big Swedish move in that area. The Swedes pulled back to Sweden in late May. The Battle of Trangen was not the most important battle of the war. But it did make the front lines more stable. Gahn's surrender removed the threat to Kongsvinger from the north. The Norwegian victory also allowed Colonel von Staffeldt to focus his forces elsewhere.
What We Remember Today
The Battle of Trangen has become a source of inspiring stories. It is a national symbol in Norway. Later, especially in the late 1800s, people focused on Captain Nicolay Peter Drejer's bravery. He was given much credit for the victory. The stump he stood on is still called Drejerstubben (Drejer's Stump). Its remains can still be seen today.
There is a memorial at the battle site. Another memorial for the fallen soldiers is at Åsnes Church.
In 2008, a re-enactment of the battle was held. This was for the 200th anniversary. King Harald V attended the event. He also visited Sønsterud Farm. The room where Captain Drejer died had been restored for the anniversary.
Images for kids
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Memorial of the fighting at Trangen at the battlefield
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Memorial for fallen soldiers at Åsnes Church
