Battle of Wittstock (1636)

Timeline

1. 1636Near Wittstock · BrandenburgThe Imperial-Saxon army of about 20,000 under General Johann von Götz occupied high ground near Wittstock and fortified defensive positions. The Swedish army of about 16,000 under Field Marshal Johan Banér approached from the north. Banér ordered his forces deployed in three columns, attempting to outflank the Imperial positions.
2. 1636Wittstock battlefield · BrandenburgOnce battle was joined, the Swedish infantry attacking frontally fell into hard fighting. Banér ordered his cavalry on the right wing on a bold flanking maneuver, successfully turning the Imperial flank and threatening their rear. The Saxon cavalry broke first, and then the Imperial infantry lines collapsed under pressure from both sides.
3. 1636Wittstock · BrandenburgThe Imperial-Saxon army was routed along its entire line, suffering about 6,000 casualties, with large quantities of artillery and baggage captured. Swedish losses were about 4,000, but the strategic gains were enormous: the Imperial offensive in northern Germany was completely checked, Sweden maintained the initiative in the Thirty Years' War, and gained important bargaining chips for subsequent negotiations.