Siege of Wolin
{{Short description|Austrian siege of Wolin in 1659}}
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict = Siege of Wolin/Wollin
| place = Wolin (Wollin in Swedish sources), island of Wolin
| width =
| partof = the Second Northern War
| image = Siege of Wolin.jpg
| image_size = 300
| caption = Copper engraving from 1670 depicting the siege
| date = 20–27 August 1659
| territory = Wolin and the rest of the island occupied by Austrian forces
| result = Austrian victory
| combatants_header =
| combatant1 = {{flag|Swedish Empire}}
| combatant2 = {{flag|Habsburg Monarchy|name=Austria}}
| commander1 = {{flagdeco|Swedish Empire}} Elias Wolfgang Braun{{KIA}}
| commander2 = {{flagdeco|Habsburg Monarchy}} Johann von Starhemberg
| units1 = {{flagdeco|Swedish Empire}} Wolin garrison
| units2 = Unknown
| strength1 = 1,000 men
| strength2 = 1,400 men
| casualties1 = 900–1,200 killed and/or captured
| casualties2 = Unknown
| campaignbox = {{Campaignbox Second Northern War}}
| coordinates = {{coord|53|50|35|N|14|36|45|E|type:event_region:PL|display=title,inline}}
}}
The siege of Wolin, Wollin in Swedish sources: ({{Langx|sv|belägringen av Wollin}}) occurred from 21–27 August 1659 during the Second Northern War, as part of the Allied offensive into Swedish Pomerania. On 20 August, the Austrians landed on Wolin island, capturing two sconces at the mouth of the Dievenow, moving towards the city of Wolin soon after. They initially assaulted the city on 21 August, but were repelled. After receiving reinforcements, they launched a new, successful attack against the city.
Background
In August 1659, during the Second Northern War, an Austrian force of 1,400 men under the command of Johann Richard von Starhemberg crossed the Oder river, capturing Kammin on the 11. On 20 August, they reached the village of Fritzow and began sailing over to the island of Wolin (Wollin in Swedish sources) in fishing boats.{{Sfn|Bonnesen|1924|p=572}}{{Sfn|Englund|2000|pp=711–712}}
Siege
Once they arrived, the Austrians stormed two sconces at the mouth of the Dievenow at dawn, being quickly occupied.{{Sfn|Englund|2000|p=712}}{{Sfn|Bonnesen|1924|pp=572–573}} Soon after, the Austrians continued south, to attack the city of Wolin. According to reports, parts of Wolin were on fire, thus allowing an opportunity to attack. The fire was caused by the commander of Wolin, Elias Wolfgang Braun, having set fire to the village of Hagen which soon spread to Wolin.{{Sfn|Bonnesen|1924|pp=572–573}}
After arriving at the northwest of the city, the Austrians began preparing for an attack. When the fire was at its worst on 21 August, they launched an assault on the walls on the northwest, which they believed would be undefended. However, the Swedish defenses remained, and the garrison of around 1,000 men repelled the first assault without difficulty. However, the Swedish commander was killed in the attack. After receiving reinforcements from the mainland, the Austrians launched a new assault on 27 August which was met with success. After five hours of fighting, they managed to break the Swedish resistance.{{Sfn|Bonnesen|1924|pp=573–574}}{{Sfn|Englund|2000|p=712}}
Aftermath
On 28 August, the Swedish commander's body was discovered, being hard to identify from it having been trampled by horses. Initially, the Swedes were believed to have suffered 1,000–1,200 killed, but the number most likely did not surpass 400.{{Sfn|Englund|2000|p=712}}{{Sfn|Bonnesen|1924|p=574}} According to Austrian reports, some 500 were captured.{{Sfn|Bonnesen|1924|p=574}} However, other sources claim that 1,200 Swedes were killed or captured.{{Sfn|Isacson|2015|p=95}} After the city's capture, around 10 cannons were taken as booty along with four infantry banners, five cavalry standards, and several guns.{{Sfn|Bonnesen|1924|p=574}}
See also
- {{Annotated link|Siege of Stettin (1659)}}
- {{Annotated link|Swedish Offensive into Prussia (1659)}}
References
{{reflist}}
Works cited
- {{Cite book |last=Isacson |first=Claes-Göran |title=Karl X Gustavs krig: Fälttågen i Polen, Tyskland, Baltikum, Danmark och Sverige 1655-1660 |publisher=Historiska Media |year=2015 |isbn=9789175450117 |language=sv |trans-title=Wars of Charles X Gustav: The campaigns in Poland, Germany, the Baltics, Denmark and Sweden 1655-1660}}
- {{Cite book |last=Englund |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Englund |title=Den oövervinnerlige: om den svenska stormaktstiden och en man i dess mitt |publisher=Atlantis |year=2000 |isbn=9789174869996 |language=sv |trans-title=The invincible: about the era of Swedish great power and a man in its midst}}
- {{Cite book |last=Bonnesen |first=Sten |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DxooAQAAMAAJ |title=Karl X Gustav |publisher=Gleerups |year=1924 |language=sv |trans-title=Charles X Gustav}}
Category:Sieges involving the Swedish Empire