Battle of Werben facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Werben
Part of Thirty Years' War
Illustration of the Battle of Werben (detail)
Date 7 August 1631 (N.S.) Location Werben (Elbe), Margraviate of Brandenburg (present-day Saxony-Anhalt) Result Swedish victory
Belligerents
Sweden	Holy Roman Empire Catholic League
Commanders and leaders
Gustavus Adolphus Wolf von Baudissin	Count of Tilly
Strength
15,100	16,200
Casualties and losses
200	1,000

The Battle of Werben was an important fight during the Thirty Years' War. It happened on August 7, 1631. This battle was fought between the Swedish Empire and the Holy Roman Empire.

The Swedish army had about 15,100 soldiers. They were led by their king, Gustavus Adolphus. The Imperial army had about 16,200 soldiers. Their leader was Field-Marshal Count Tilly.

Count Tilly's troops attacked the Swedish defenses near Werben (Elbe). But the Swedes had strong positions and powerful cannons. Their cavalry, led by Wolf Heinrich von Baudissin, also fought bravely. The Imperial forces were forced to retreat. The Swedes won the battle.

About 1,000 Imperial soldiers were lost. The Swedes lost around 200 soldiers. King Gustavus Adolphus later said the Imperial losses were much higher. He did this to gain more support from German states.

What Was the Thirty Years' War?

The Thirty Years' War was a long and terrible conflict. It lasted from 1618 to 1648. Most of the fighting happened in Central Europe. Many different countries and groups were involved.

The war began as a religious conflict. It was mainly between Protestants and Catholics. But it quickly grew into a fight for power in Europe. Many European countries joined in.

Millions of people died during this war. It was one of the most destructive wars in European history. The Battle of Werben was one small but important part of it.

Who Fought in This Battle?

The main leaders at Werben were two famous generals. One was King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden. The other was Count Tilly, a general for the Holy Roman Empire.

Gustavus Adolphus: The "Lion of the North"

Gustavus Adolphus was the King of Sweden. He was a brilliant military leader. People called him the "Lion of the North." He was a Protestant and wanted to protect Protestants in Germany.

He brought new ideas to warfare. His army was well-trained and disciplined. They used cannons and muskets very effectively. He was known for leading from the front.

Count Tilly: The Imperial General

Count Tilly was a very experienced general. He led the armies of the Holy Roman Empire and the Catholic League. He had won many battles before Werben.

Tilly was a strong Catholic. He fought to support the Holy Roman Emperor. He was known for his strict discipline. His soldiers were very loyal to him.

Why Was Werben Important?

Werben was a small town near the Elbe River. It was a good place for an army to set up camp. The Swedes had built strong defenses there.

Gustavus Adolphus wanted to control this area. It would help him move his army and supplies. It was also a good spot to protect his allies.

Count Tilly wanted to stop the Swedish advance. He hoped to defeat Gustavus Adolphus. This would weaken the Swedish position in Germany.

The Battle Begins

Count Tilly decided to attack the Swedish camp. He thought he could surprise them. His army marched towards Werben on August 7, 1631.

Swedish Defenses

The Swedes were ready for the attack. They had built strong walls of earth. These were called entrenchments. They also had many cannons placed in good spots.

When Tilly's troops attacked, they faced heavy fire. The Swedish cannons fired continuously. This made it very hard for the Imperial soldiers to advance.

Cavalry Action

The Swedish cavalry also played a big role. They were led by Wolf von Baudissin. The cavalry charged the Imperial forces. This helped to break their attack.

The Imperial soldiers tried several times to break through. But the Swedish defenses held strong. They could not get past the cannons and the brave Swedish soldiers.

The Outcome

After hours of fighting, Count Tilly's army had to give up. They had lost many soldiers. They could not defeat the Swedes at Werben.

The Swedish victory was important. It showed that Gustavus Adolphus's army was very strong. It also helped him gain more support in Germany.

This battle was a setback for Count Tilly. It was one of his first major defeats. It helped to change the direction of the war.