Battle of Gniew: Difference between revisions

Battle of Gniew
	Part of the Polish–Swedish War (1626–1629)
Date	September 22 – October 1, 1626
Standort	Gniew (Mewe), Poland53°50′00″N 18°50′00″E / 53.833333°N 18.833333°E
Result	Disputed, see Result
Belligerents
Swedish Empire	Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth
Commanders and leaders
Gustavus II Adolphus	Sigismund III Vasa
Strength
22 September:; 1,700 cavalry; 8,150 infantry – 74 guns 29 September:; 12,100 men (10,000 infantry, 2,100 cavalry)	22 September:; 6,780 cavalry; 4,430 infantry – 20 guns 29 September:; 14,500 men (mainly cavalry)
Casualties and losses
Polish claim: 22 September - 360-500 dead; 29 September losses were about equal to those of the Poles 1 October - 30 dead	22 September 13-50 dead ; 29 September 18-43 dead Swedish claim: 1 October - 500 dead

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The Battle of Gniew^[7] or the Battle of Mewe^[8] was fought during the Polish–Swedish War (1626–1629), between Sweden and the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth from 22 September with initial skirmishes, to the main battle of 1 October 1626. Both the Swedish and Polish army were commanded by their kings – Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden and Sigismund III Vasa. The battle ended in indecisively. However, Polish and Swedish armies had different objectives. Sigismund Vasa wanted to protect Gdańsk from besieging. Gustav had to protect Gniew, which was important for the prestige of his army.

Prelude

After the seizure of Livonia on July 6, 1626, Swedish troops landed in the strength of about 13,000 men and 80 guns,^[5] in Piława at the port of Duke of Prussia George Wilhelm who was at the vassal of the Polish king but also a brother in law of the king of Sweden. Piława did not offer any resistance which together with the subsequent activity of Prussian soldiers and the attitude of George William, formed the basis of treason accusations leveled at them by the Poles.^[5] The Swedes set off a rapid march from Piława in the southwest direction, against the Vistula, taking several small towns along the way, as well as the second largest city of Royal Prussia, Elbląg. Newly landing troops also took Puck, as well as several other towns and the crossing of the Vistula — Tczew, Gniew and Głowa Gdańska. The remaining and most serious obstacle was Gdańsk. Gdańsk was a big urban center which at that time had more than 64,000 inhabitants (about four times that of Stockholm, the capital of Sweden).^[5] Initially the Swedes tried to negotiate with the city but these were soon broken off due to the unyielding attitude of Gdańsk's inhabitants. Feeling threatened, the citizens of Gdańsk begged the Polish king for help. It then became crucial for the main Polish army to make its way to Royal Prussia. The mobilization in Poland, given existing conditions, ran smoothly; despite being low on funds, Sigismund managed to raise an army in a little more than two months. The Polish king and his army (6780 cavalry, 4430 infantry, 20 guns) then rushed to help the city.^[5]

Battle

Gustavus Adolphus, who had 8,150 infantry, 1,700 cavalry and 74 guns, tried to create a base of operations in order to attack Gdansk. For this purpose the Swedes began construction of a bridge over the Vistula leading to Wielkie Żuławy. Receiving the news of the siege of Gniew by Sigismund III, Gustav moved to rescue the town which was defended by 200 men, and on his way took Walichnowy, on September 11. Sigismund III Vasa, besieging the city, moved his forces to the north, near Ciepłe, and then took positions on a steep bank. Gniew was of great strategic value for the Swedes, who needed the town to cover the flank of Tczew, where great portions of men were being assembled.^[3]

22 September

Gustavus Adolphus took the initiative on September 22. With a force consisting of 2,000 infantry and 1,200 cavalry, he started his march from Walichnów in the direction of Gniew under the cover of flood embankments along the bank of the Vistula. In order to scout out Polish entrenchments he led 900 men (30% of his force), and soon the two sides met. The fighting surged back and forth;^[3] winged hussars attacked the German reiters under the command of Heinrich von Thurn who fled into the woods, but were later repulsed by the Swedish infantry,^[9] and due to the fact that the area was traversed by ditches which made it difficult for the hussars to charge. The Poles then sent infantry and three squadrons of light cavalry to the left wing of the Swedes and forced them out of the flood embankments of which they captured. At the same time two regiments of light cavalry struck the Swedes' flank and scattered them.^[10] However, Gustavus rounded up the remainder of his forces and managed to repel the attacking Poles, whom in their rout rode over their own infantry lines.^[3]

A cease fire took place the next day while both sides buried their dead, although during the skirmish both sides suffered only light casualties. Between 13 and 50 Poles died.^[5]^[1]^[2] Swedish losses were higher. Poles counted 360-500 Swedish killed on the battlefield.^[1]^[2]

29 September

The fighting on the next day took place on two separate areas, one near the village of Gronowo where the Swedish troops had positioned themselves behind fortifications. Poles tried to provoke the Swedes into leaving their advantageous positions. However, as there were only 200 of them, the Swedish commander, general Muschamp refused.^[3] After initial engagements Polish infantry attacked the Swedish positions but were held back by the musketeers. After two hours of fighting the Poles received further infantry reinforcements and the Swedes began to retreat, which encouraged the Poles to send in a cavalry charge, composed of two squadrons of hussars and 400 reiters. The Swedes counterattacked with fresh cavalry units but were beaten back, so was the Polish charge which collapsed after suffering significant casualties by the Swedish infantry and cannon fire, as well as by the difficult terrain they had to get through. The Polish artillery which sequentially had bombarded against the village had been rather ineffective; mainly due to the inaccurate fire which had gone mainly over the Swedish positions. In the meantime, the Poles launched another assault on general Von Thurns regiment who had camped on the previous fighting ground of 22 September, but the Poles were beaten back.^[3]

During this day, Gustavus had learned that Swedish infantry could beat back the renowned Polish cavalry, if fought during rather protected circumstances.^[3] The Poles had suffered no great loss, around 18–43^[1]^[6] were dead. Swedish losses were about equal to those of the Poles.^[3]^[1]

1 October

On October 1, the last and main event of the battle took place. Previous day passed quietly; both sides only strengthened their defensive positions. Swedes built a fort and entrenchments near the dam, so they could shoot Polish cavalry who tried to go down to the plain under the hills. In this way Gustavus Adolphus could cover his troops, which were planned to enter into the Vistula corridor. On the night of September 30 to October 1, one of the Swedish soldiers in the garrison of Gniew managed to sneak out of the town and inform Gustavus Adolphus about the terrible situation where the besieged crew started to suffer water because it has been cut off. Gustavus Adolphus decided to make an attempt to break through to the city. The Swedish plan was simple; Gustavus intended to distract the Poles from the main direction of impact and break through to Gniew. Main attack was to go down by the corridor along Vistula and binding fight were to take place on the fields between the Gronowo and the Polish hills.

Plan was simple but its implementation went much worse. With about 4,000 men, the Swedes launched the attack On 1 October.^[3] Barely in the field under Gronowo, the Swedes began to emerge but were attacked by a Polish reiter squadron. A sixfold reiter charge disincentived the Swedes to stay in the field and they retreated back to the entrenchments. The diverted attention of the Poles from the Vistula corridor had failed. But Gustavus Adolphus did not abandon his plans to break through to Gniew. In another attack along the Vistula corridor, the Swedes once again were beaten back during a long violent struggle against some newly built Polish entrenchments, guarding across the corridor and blocking the way to Gniew. However, it was not the end of the battle.^{[citation needed]}

Gustavus Adolphus then executed a massive assault and ordered his infantry to approach on the Polish positions on the hills. The Swedes marched through the bushes, in addition, hid behind branches, and later with a fierce assault, entered the hill and killed the Polish soldiers positioned there. They were, however, immediately fired at by another Polish regiment a distance away, whereof they began digging entrenchments to initiate a Polish counter assault. — The point of entry was chosen very well, bushes and branches provided an hidden entrance to the hill where the Poles had not dug any entrenchments. After some struggle, the remaining Polish infantry and riders on the hill were beaten back and started to rout. The Poles then carried out a counter assault consisted of hussars, which managed to drive the first line of the Swedes from the hill, but was later repulsed by the second one.^[9] The Polish cavalry retreated in disorder and the Swedes re-entered and continued their digging of entrenchments. Polish infantry renewed an attack on the Swedes which lasted for about two hours, hence the Poles had to retreat due to the lack of gunpowder. On the night of October 1, the Poles set fire to the farm Ciepłe. Taking advantage of the darkness, the Poles later left their entrenchments of the corridor, and the siege was then finally lifted. Gustavus then reinforced the castle garrison and boats were sent in with stocks. Neither side moved against each other and the battle ended.^{[citation needed]}

The Swedish losses that day were counted to 30 men killed. The Polish casualties were higher, with about 500 dead and three standards lost.^[4] Sigismund then marched against Gdańsk to protect it from returning to the Swedes and the opportunity to obtain the gunpowder.^[5]^[3]

Aftermath

Although the Swedish army had lifted the Polish siege of Gniew and Sigismund had withdrawn from the field, he still achieved progress and the upper hand to block the city of Gdańsk from Swedish troops before their arrival. Therefore, the withdrawal has to be considered somewhat tactical in purpose for the strategical overview.^[5]^[11] The battle of Mewe marked the first time Swedish infantry had successfully stood their ground against Polish hussars, even though being behind entrenchments it was an achievement for Gustavus Swedish infantry whose accurate and devastating fire had proved to be the decisive factor of the battle.^[12] He fell ill in October, thus the great assault on Gdańsk Gustavus had desired couldn't be executed, and the pursuit of Sigismund couldn't take place.^[3]

Result

The result of the battle is disputed, some historians claim that it was inconclusive,^[13] while the vast majority claim it as a Swedish victory.^[8]^[9]^[14]^[15]^[16]^[17]^[18]

Notes

Citations

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h Diariusz Woyny Pruskiey 1626
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Radziwiłł 1848, p. 22.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k Isacson, Claes-Göran, ed. (2006). Vägen till Stormakt (in Swedish). Stockholm: Norstedts. ISBN 91-1-301502-8.
^ ^a ^b ^c Sundberg, Ulf: Svenska krig 1521-1814, Hjalmarson & Högberg Bokförlag, Stockholm 2002, ISBN 91-89660-10-2
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h Sikora, Radosław (2011). Niezwykłe bitwy i szarże husarii (in Polish). Warszawa: ERICA. ISBN 978-83-62329-27-4.
^ ^a ^b Żurkowski 1860, p. 111.
^ Bajer, Peter Paul (March 2, 2012). Scots in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, 16th to 18th Centuries: The Formation and Disappearance of an Ethnic Group. BRILL. p. 466. ISBN 978-90-04-21247-3.
^ ^a ^b Frost, Robert I. (2000). The Northern Wars: War, State, and Society in Northeastern Europe, 1558-1721. Longman. p. 331. ISBN 978-0-582-06430-0.
^ ^a ^b ^c Peterson, Gary Dean (March 26, 2007). Warrior Kings of Sweden: The Rise of an Empire in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries. McFarland. p. 143. ISBN 978-0-7864-2873-1.
^ Żurkowski 1860, p. 109.
^ Sikora, Radosław (October 7, 2009). "Bitwa pod Gniewem 1626 i Vivat Vasa" (PDF) (in Polish). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 6, 2013. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
^ The Age of Wars of Religion, 1000-1650, Cathal J. Nolan, p. 374
^ Sikora, Radosław (2021). Niezwykłe bitwy i szarże husarii [Unusual battles and charges of hussars] (in Polish). Znak Horyzont. ISBN 978-83-240-7982-7.
^ Roberts, Michael (1958). Gustavus Adolphus: 1626-1632. Longmans, Green.
^ Scott, Franklin Daniel (1988). Sweden, the Nation's History. SIU Press. ISBN 978-0-8093-1489-8.
^ Roberts, Michael (July 10, 2014). Gustavas Adolphus. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-317-89576-3.
^ Essen, Michael (2020). The Lion from the North: The Swedish Army During the Thirty Years' War. Helion & Company. p. 42. ISBN 978-1-80451-106-0. As a result, the Commonwealth siege of Mewe was lifted, and Sigismund retreated. The defeat at Mewe was not his only problem.
^ Brumwell, Stephen (2009). The Art of War: Great commanders of the modern world: Gustavus Adolphus 1594–1632. Quercus. p. 29. ISBN 978-1-847-24260-0.

Bibliography

Radziwiłł, Albrycht Stanisław (1848). Edward Kotłubaj (ed.). "Rys panowania Zygmunta III". Athenaeum (in Polish). V.
Żurkowski, Stanisław (1860). Żywot Tomasza Zamojskiego kanclerza wielkiego koronnego. opr. Aleksander Batowski (in Polish). Lwów.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
"Diariusz Woyny Pruskiey w Roku 1626 przeciw Gustawowi Xiązeciu Szwedzkiemu Sudermanskie", AGAD,dz. 48 nr 300, 53.^{[clarification needed]}

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|Battle of the 1626 Polish-Swedish war}}
+{{Use American English|date = January 2019}}
+{{Use mdy dates|date = January 2019}}
 {{infobox military conflict
-|conflict    =Battle of Gniew
+| conflict          = Battle of Gniew
-|partof      =the [[Polish-Swedish wars]]
+| partof            = the [[Polish–Swedish War (1626–1629)]]
-|image       =
+| image             =
-|caption     =
+| caption           =
-|date        =September 22 – October 1, 1626
+| date              = September 22 – October 1, 1626
-|place       =[[Gniew]] (Mewe), [[Poland]]
+| place             = [[Gniew]] (Mewe), [[Poland]]
+| coordinates       = {{coord|53.833333|18.833333|format=dms|display=title,inline|type:event}}
-|coordinates =
+| result            = Disputed, see [[Battle of Gniew#Result|Result]]
-|map_type    =
+| status            =
-|map_relief  =
+| combatants_header =
-|latitude    =
+| combatant1        = {{flagicon|Swedish Empire}} [[Swedish Empire]]
-|longitude   =
+| combatant2        = {{flagicon|Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth}} [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]]
-|map_size    =
+| commander1        = {{flagicon|Swedish Empire}} [[Gustavus II Adolphus]]
-|map_marksize =
+| commander2        = {{flagicon|Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth}} [[Sigismund III Vasa]]
-|map_caption =
+| strength1         = '''22 September:'''<br />1,700 cavalry<br />8,150 infantry – 74 guns
-|map_label   =
+'''29 September:'''<br />12,100 men (10,000 infantry, 2,100 cavalry)
-|territory   =
+| strength2         = '''22 September:'''<br />6,780 cavalry<br />4,430 infantry – 20 guns
-|result      =Formal Swedish victory.<ref name="Frost"/><ref name="Warrior Kings">[https://books.google.com/books?id=CPJWfVPgFawC&pg=PA143&lpg=PA143&dq=Battle+of+Mewe&source=bl&ots=hvUliRyuET&sig=bm-V3H56FsRTocSEK0CcbNCKhG8&hl=sv&sa=X&ei=tYeBUJOMBsKA4gS9roHYCg&ved=0CDsQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=Battle%20of%20Mewe&f=false Warrior Kings of Sweden, Gary Dean Peterson, p. 143]</ref><ref name="Jaques660">[https://books.google.com/books?id=Dh6jydKXikoC&pg=PA660&lpg=PA660&dq=Mewe+1626&source=bl&ots=nIDhvPwYJ5&sig=8d6B_xB8rjXmTk4qMysIZEwTxZM&hl=sv&sa=X&ei=5iF0UNO2Eseo0QX_3YGYCQ&ved=0CDYQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=Mewe%201626&f=false Dictionary of Battles and Sieges, Tony Jaques, p, 660]</ref><ref name="Andrew">[https://books.google.com/books?id=-CjlU83TBwQC&pg=PT32&lpg=PT32&dq=Mewe+1626&source=bl&ots=MYmnNlEHBT&sig=lTgRZUuZQt9VDa-UFKmyMX4WkeE&hl=sv&sa=X&ei=5iF0UNO2Eseo0QX_3YGYCQ&ved=0CDwQ6AEwAw Great Commanders of the Early Modern World: 1567-1865, Andrew Roberts (ed)]</ref> Both armies achieved their goals.
+'''29 September:'''<br />14,500 men (mainly cavalry)
-|status      =
+| casualties1       = '''Polish claim''': 22 September - 360-500 dead<ref name="diariusz">{{Harvnb|Diariusz Woyny Pruskiey 1626}}</ref>{{sfn|Radziwiłł|1848|p=22}}<br />
-|combatants_header =
+September losses were about equal to those of the Poles<ref name="Vägen till Stormakt"/><ref name="diariusz">{{Harvnb|Diariusz Woyny Pruskiey 1626}}</ref>
-|combatant1  =[[Image:Naval Ensign of Sweden.svg|23px]] [[Swedish Empire]]
-|combatant2  =[[File:Herb Rzeczypospolitej Obojga Narodow.svg|15px]] [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]]
-|commander1  =[[Gustavus II Adolphus]]
-|commander2  =[[Sigismund III Vasa]]
-|strength1   ='''22 september:'''<br>1,700 cavalry<br>8,150 infantry – 74 guns
-'''29 september:'''<br>12,100 men (10,000 infantry, 2,100 cavalry)
-|strength2   ='''22 september:'''<br>6,780 cavalry<br>4,430 infantry – 20 guns
-'''29 september:'''<br>14,500 men (mainly cavalry)
-|casualties1 = '''Polish claim''': 22 September - 360-500 dead<ref name="diariusz">{{Harvnb|Diariusz Woyny Pruskiey 1626}}</ref><ref name="Radziwiłł, Rys panowania Zygmunta III 22">{{Harvnb|Radziwiłł, Rys panowania Zygmunta III |1848|p=22}}</ref><br>
-September losses were about equal to those of the Poles<ref name="Vägen till Stormakt"/><ref name="diariusz"/><ref name="diariusz">{{Harvnb|Diariusz Woyny Pruskiey 1626}}</ref>
 October - 30 dead<ref name="Sundberg">Sundberg, Ulf: Svenska krig 1521-1814, Hjalmarson & Högberg Bokförlag, Stockholm 2002, {{ISBN|91-89660-10-2}}</ref>
-|casualties2 = 22 September 13-50 dead<ref name="Niezwykłe bitwy i szarże husarii"/><ref name="diariusz">{{Harvnb|Diariusz Woyny Pruskiey 1626}}</ref><ref name="Radziwiłł, Rys panowania Zygmunta III 22">{{Harvnb|Radziwiłł, Rys panowania Zygmunta III |1848|p=22}}</ref>
+| casualties2       = 22 September 13-50 dead<ref name="Niezwykłe bitwy i szarże husarii"/><ref name="diariusz">{{Harvnb|Diariusz Woyny Pruskiey 1626}}</ref>{{sfn|Radziwiłł|1848|p=22}} <br />
-September 18-43 dead<ref name="diariusz"/><ref name="Żurkowski, Żywot Tomasza Zamojskiego kanclerza wielkiego koronnego 111">{{Harvnb|Żurkowski, "Żywot Tomasza Zamojskiego kanclerza wielkiego koronnego |1860|p=111}}.</ref>
+September 18-43 dead<ref name="diariusz"/>{{sfn|Żurkowski|1860|p=111}}
 '''Swedish claim''': 1 October - 500 dead<ref name="Sundberg"/>
-|notes       =
+| notes             =
-|campaignbox ={{Campaignbox Polish–Swedish War (1626–1629)}}
+| campaignbox       = {{Campaignbox Polish–Swedish War (1626–1629)}}
 }}
-The '''Battle of Gniew'''<ref name="Scots in PLC">[https://books.google.com/books?id=kzJf9HTGK2kC&pg=PA466&lpg=PA466&dq=%22Battle+of+Gniew%22&source=bl&ots=IwTTcYGs6R&sig=ZI18rtBw0xsTm5X07jD76nnBh9Q&hl=sv&sa=X&ei=X6-BUN67GPLR4QSnnIGYBw&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22Battle%20of%20Gniew%22&f=false Scots in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, Peter Paul Bajer, p.466]</ref> or the '''Battle of Mewe'''<ref name="Frost">[https://books.google.com/books?id=CPVoAAAAMAAJ&q=%22Battle+of+Mewe%22+Robert+I+frost&dq=%22Battle+of+Mewe%22+Robert+I+frost&source=bl&ots=ebJUBvLLnq&sig=TbpYXfUShlgxp0S1feFKh9qNRUY&hl=sv&sa=X&ei=8q2BUNGrOYeO4gTz7IHYCQ&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAA The northern wars: war, state, and society in northeastern Europe, 1558-1721, Robert I. Frost, Longman, 2000, p.331]</ref> was fought during the [[Polish–Swedish War (1626–1629)]], between [[Sweden]] and the [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]] from 22 September with initial skirmishes, to the main battle of 1 October 1626. Both the Swedish and Polish army were commanded by their kings – [[Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden]] and [[Sigismund III Vasa]]. The battle ended with a victory for Sweden. However, Polish and Swedish armies had different objectives. Sigismund Vasa wanted to protect Gdańsk from besieging. Gustav had to protect Gniew, which was important for the prestige for his army.
+The '''Battle of Gniew'''<ref name="Scots in PLC">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kzJf9HTGK2kC&pg=PA466 |page=466 |title=Scots in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, 16th to 18th Centuries: The Formation and Disappearance of an Ethnic Group|last=Bajer|first=Peter Paul|date=2012-03-02|publisher=BRILL|isbn=978-90-04-21247-3|language=en}}</ref> or the '''Battle of Mewe'''<ref name="Frost">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CPVoAAAAMAAJ&q=%22Battle+of+Mewe%22 |page=331 |title=The Northern Wars: War, State, and Society in Northeastern Europe, 1558-1721|last=Frost|first=Robert I.|date=2000|publisher=Longman|isbn=978-0-582-06430-0|language=en}}</ref> was fought during the [[Polish–Swedish War (1626–1629)]], between [[Sweden]] and the [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]] from 22 September with initial skirmishes, to the main battle of 1 October 1626. Both the Swedish and Polish army were commanded by their kings – [[Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden]] and [[Sigismund III Vasa]]. The battle ended in indecisively. However, Polish and Swedish armies had different objectives. Sigismund Vasa wanted to protect [[Gdańsk]] from besieging. Gustav had to protect Gniew, which was important for the prestige of his army.
 ==Prelude==
-After the seizure of Livonia in July 6, 1626 Swedish troops landed in the strength of about 13,000 men and 80 guns,<ref name="Niezwykłe bitwy i szarże husarii">{{cite book |title=Niezwykłe bitwy i szarże husarii|last=Sikora |first=Radosław |year=2011 |publisher=ERICA |location=Warszawa |language=Polish |isbn=978-83-62329-27-4 |oclc=}}</ref> in [[Baltiysk|Piława]] at the port of Duke of Prussia [[George William, Elector of Brandenburg|George Wilhelm]] who was at the vassal of the Polish king but also a brother in law of the king of Sweden. Piława did not offer any resistance which together with the subsequent activity of Prussian soldiers and the attitude of George William, formed the basis of treason accusations leveled at them by the Poles.<ref name="Niezwykłe bitwy i szarże husarii"/> The Swedes set off a rapid march from Piława in the southwest direction, against the Vistula, taking several small towns along the way, as well as the second largest city of [[Royal Prussia]], [[Elbląg]]. Newly landing troops also took [[Puck, Poland|Puck]], as well as several other towns and the crossing of the Vistula — [[Tczew]], [[Gniew]] and [[Głowa Gdańska]]. The remaining and most serious obstacle was [[Gdańsk]]. Gdańsk was a big urban center which at that time had more than 64,000 inhabitants (about four times that of [[Stockholm]], the capital of Sweden).<ref name="Niezwykłe bitwy i szarże husarii"/> Initially the Swedes tried to negotiate with the city but these were soon broken off due to the unyielding attitude of Gdańsk's inhabitants. Feeling threatened, the citizens of Gdańsk begged the Polish king for help. It then became crucial for the main Polish army to make its way to Royal Prussia. The mobilization in Poland, given existing conditions, ran smoothly; despite being low on funds, Sigismund managed to raise an army in a little more than two months. The Polish king and his army (6780 cavalry, 4430 infantry, 20 guns) then rushed to help the city.<ref name="Niezwykłe bitwy i szarże husarii"/>
+After the seizure of Livonia on July 6, 1626, Swedish troops landed in the strength of about 13,000 men and 80 guns,<ref name="Niezwykłe bitwy i szarże husarii">{{cite book |title=Niezwykłe bitwy i szarże husarii|last=Sikora |first=Radosław |year=2011 |publisher=ERICA |location=Warszawa |language=pl |isbn=978-83-62329-27-4 }}</ref> in [[Baltiysk|Piława]] at the port of Duke of Prussia [[George William, Elector of Brandenburg|George Wilhelm]] who was at the vassal of the Polish king but also a brother in law of the king of Sweden. Piława did not offer any resistance which together with the subsequent activity of Prussian soldiers and the attitude of George William, formed the basis of treason accusations leveled at them by the Poles.<ref name="Niezwykłe bitwy i szarże husarii"/> The Swedes set off a rapid march from Piława in the southwest direction, against the Vistula, taking several small towns along the way, as well as the second largest city of [[Royal Prussia]], [[Elbląg]]. Newly landing troops also took [[Puck, Poland|Puck]], as well as several other towns and the crossing of the Vistula — [[Tczew]], [[Gniew]] and [[Głowa Gdańska]]. The remaining and most serious obstacle was [[Gdańsk]]. Gdańsk was a big urban center which at that time had more than 64,000 inhabitants (about four times that of [[Stockholm]], the capital of Sweden).<ref name="Niezwykłe bitwy i szarże husarii"/> Initially the Swedes tried to negotiate with the city but these were soon broken off due to the unyielding attitude of Gdańsk's inhabitants. Feeling threatened, the citizens of Gdańsk begged the Polish king for help. It then became crucial for the main Polish army to make its way to Royal Prussia. The mobilization in Poland, given existing conditions, ran smoothly; despite being low on funds, Sigismund managed to raise an army in a little more than two months. The Polish king and his army (6780 cavalry, 4430 infantry, 20 guns) then rushed to help the city.<ref name="Niezwykłe bitwy i szarże husarii"/>
 ==Battle==
-Gustavus Adolphus, who had 8,150 infantry, 1,700 cavalry and 74 guns, tried to create a base of operations in order to attack Gdansk. For this purpose the Swedes began construction of a bridge over the Vistula leading to [[Wielkie Żuławy]]. Receiving the news of the siege of Gniew by Sigismund III, Gustav moved to rescue the town which was defended by 200 men, and on his way took [[Walichnowy]], on September 11. Sigismund III Vasa, besieging the city, moved his forces to the north, near [[Ciepłe, Pomeranian Voivodeship|Ciepłe]], and then took positions on a steep bank. Gniew was of great strategic value for the Swedes, who needed the town to cover the flank of Tczew, where great portions of men were being assembled.<ref name="Vägen till Stormakt">{{cite book |title=Vägen till Stormakt |last=Isacson |first=Claes-Göran (ed) |year=2006 |publisher=Norstedts |location=Stockholm |language=Swedish |isbn=91-1-301502-8 |oclc=}}</ref>
+Gustavus Adolphus, who had 8,150 infantry, 1,700 cavalry and 74 guns, tried to create a base of operations in order to attack Gdansk. For this purpose the Swedes began construction of a bridge over the Vistula leading to [[Wielkie Żuławy]]. Receiving the news of the siege of Gniew by Sigismund III, Gustav moved to rescue the town which was defended by 200 men, and on his way took [[Walichnowy]], on September 11. Sigismund III Vasa, besieging the city, moved his forces to the north, near [[Ciepłe, Pomeranian Voivodeship|Ciepłe]], and then took positions on a steep bank. Gniew was of great strategic value for the Swedes, who needed the town to cover the flank of Tczew, where great portions of men were being assembled.<ref name="Vägen till Stormakt">{{cite book |title=Vägen till Stormakt |editor-last=Isacson |editor-first=Claes-Göran |year=2006 |publisher=Norstedts |location=Stockholm |language=sv |isbn=91-1-301502-8 }}</ref>
 ===22 September===
-Gustavus Adolphus took the initiative on September 22. With a force consisting of 2,000 infantry and 1,200 cavalry, he started his march from Walichnów in the direction of Gniew under the cover of flood embankments along the bank of the Vistula. In order to scout out Polish entrenchments he led 900 men (30% of his force), and soon the two sides met. The fighting surged back and forth;<ref name="Vägen till Stormakt"/> winged hussars attacked the German reiters under the command of [[Heinrich von Thurn]] who fled into the woods, but were later repulsed by the Swedish infantry,<ref name="Warrior Kings"/> and due to the fact that the area was traversed by ditches which made it difficult for the hussars to charge. The Poles then sent infantry and three squadrons of light cavalry to the left wing of the Swedes and forced them out of the flood embankments of which they captured. At the same time two regiments of light cavalry struck the Swedes' flank and scattered them.<ref name="Żurkowski, Żywot Tomasza Zamojskiego kanclerza wielkiego koronnego 109">{{Harvnb|Żurkowski, "Żywot Tomasza Zamojskiego kanclerza wielkiego koronnego |1860|p=109}}.</ref> However, Gustavus rounded up the remainder of his forces and managed to repel the attacking Poles, whom in their rout rode over their own infantry lines.<ref name="Vägen till Stormakt"/>
+Gustavus Adolphus took the initiative on September 22. With a force consisting of 2,000 infantry and 1,200 cavalry, he started his march from [[Walichnowy|Walichnów]] in the direction of Gniew under the cover of flood embankments along the bank of the Vistula. In order to scout out Polish entrenchments he led 900 men (30% of his force), and soon the two sides met. The fighting surged back and forth;<ref name="Vägen till Stormakt"/> winged hussars attacked the German reiters under the command of [[Heinrich von Thurn]] who fled into the woods, but were later repulsed by the Swedish infantry,<ref name="Warrior Kings">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CPJWfVPgFawC&pg=PA143 |page=143|title=Warrior Kings of Sweden: The Rise of an Empire in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries|last=Peterson|first=Gary Dean|date=2007-03-26|publisher=McFarland|isbn=978-0-7864-2873-1|language=en}}</ref> and due to the fact that the area was traversed by ditches which made it difficult for the hussars to charge. The Poles then sent infantry and three squadrons of light cavalry to the left wing of the Swedes and forced them out of the flood embankments of which they captured. At the same time two regiments of light cavalry struck the Swedes' flank and scattered them.{{sfn|Żurkowski|1860|p=109}} However, Gustavus rounded up the remainder of his forces and managed to repel the attacking Poles, whom in their rout rode over their own infantry lines.<ref name="Vägen till Stormakt"/>
-A cease fire took place the next day while both sides buried their dead, although during the skirmish both sides suffered only light casualties. Between 13 and 50 Poles died.<ref name="Niezwykłe bitwy i szarże husarii"/><ref name="diariusz">{{Harvnb|Diariusz Woyny Pruskiey 1626}}</ref><ref name="Radziwiłł, Rys panowania Zygmunta III 22">{{Harvnb|Radziwiłł, Rys panowania Zygmunta III |1848|p=22}}</ref> Swedish losses were higher. Poles counted 360-500 Swedish killed on the battlefield.<ref name="diariusz">{{Harvnb|Diariusz Woyny Pruskiey 1626}}</ref><ref name="Radziwiłł, Rys panowania Zygmunta III 22">{{Harvnb|Radziwiłł, Rys panowania Zygmunta III |1848|p=22}}</ref>
+A cease fire took place the next day while both sides buried their dead, although during the skirmish both sides suffered only light casualties. Between 13 and 50 Poles died.<ref name="Niezwykłe bitwy i szarże husarii"/><ref name="diariusz">{{Harvnb|Diariusz Woyny Pruskiey 1626}}</ref>{{sfn|Radziwiłł|1848|p=22}} Swedish losses were higher. Poles counted 360-500 Swedish killed on the battlefield.<ref name="diariusz">{{Harvnb|Diariusz Woyny Pruskiey 1626}}</ref>{{sfn|Radziwiłł|1848|p=22}}
 ===29 September===
 The fighting on the next day took place on two separate areas, one near the village of [[Gronowo, Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship|Gronowo]] where the Swedish troops had positioned themselves behind fortifications. Poles tried to provoke the Swedes into leaving their advantageous positions. However, as there were only 200 of them, the Swedish commander, general Muschamp refused.<ref name="Vägen till Stormakt"/> After initial engagements Polish infantry attacked the Swedish positions but were held back by the musketeers. After two hours of fighting the Poles received further infantry reinforcements and the Swedes began to retreat, which encouraged the Poles to send in a cavalry charge, composed of two squadrons of hussars and 400 reiters. The Swedes counterattacked with fresh cavalry units but were beaten back, so was the Polish charge which collapsed after suffering significant casualties by the Swedish infantry and cannon fire, as well as by the difficult terrain they had to get through. The Polish artillery which sequentially had bombarded against the village had been rather ineffective; mainly due to the inaccurate fire which had gone mainly over the Swedish positions. In the meantime, the Poles launched another assault on general Von Thurns regiment who had camped on the previous fighting ground of 22 September, but the Poles were beaten back.<ref name="Vägen till Stormakt"/>
-During this day, Gustavus had learned that Swedish infantry could beat back the renowned Polish cavalry, if fought during rather protected circumstances.<ref name="Vägen till Stormakt"/> The Poles had suffered no great loss, around 18–43<ref name="diariusz"/><ref name="Żurkowski, Żywot Tomasza Zamojskiego kanclerza wielkiego koronnego 111">{{Harvnb|Żurkowski, "Żywot Tomasza Zamojskiego kanclerza wielkiego koronnego |1860|p=111}}.</ref> were dead. Swedish losses were about equal to those of the Poles.<ref name="Vägen till Stormakt"/><ref name="diariusz"/>
+During this day, Gustavus had learned that Swedish infantry could beat back the renowned Polish cavalry, if fought during rather protected circumstances.<ref name="Vägen till Stormakt"/> The Poles had suffered no great loss, around 18–43<ref name="diariusz"/>{{sfn|Żurkowski|1860|p=111}} were dead. Swedish losses were about equal to those of the Poles.<ref name="Vägen till Stormakt"/><ref name="diariusz"/>
 ===1 October===
 On October 1, the last and main event of the battle took place. Previous day passed quietly; both sides only strengthened their defensive positions. Swedes built a fort and entrenchments near the dam, so they could shoot Polish cavalry who tried to go down to the plain under the hills. In this way Gustavus Adolphus could cover his troops, which were planned to enter into the Vistula corridor. On the night of September 30 to October 1, one of the Swedish soldiers in the garrison of Gniew managed to sneak out of the town and inform Gustavus Adolphus about the terrible situation where the besieged crew started to suffer water because it has been cut off. Gustavus Adolphus decided to make an attempt to break through to the city. The Swedish plan was simple; Gustavus intended to distract the Poles from the main direction of impact and break through to Gniew. Main attack was to go down by the corridor along Vistula and binding fight were to take place on the fields between the Gronowo and the Polish hills.
 Plan was simple but its implementation went much worse. With about 4,000 men, the Swedes launched the attack On 1 October.<ref name="Vägen till Stormakt"/> Barely in the field under Gronowo, the Swedes began to emerge but were attacked by a Polish reiter squadron. A sixfold reiter charge disincentived the Swedes to stay in the field and they retreated back to the entrenchments. The diverted attention of the Poles from the Vistula corridor had failed. But Gustavus Adolphus did not abandon his plans to break through to Gniew. In another attack along the Vistula corridor, the Swedes once again were beaten back during a long violent struggle against some newly built Polish entrenchments, guarding across the corridor and blocking the way to Gniew. However, it was not the end of the battle.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}}
@@ Line 64: / Line 59: @@
 ==Aftermath==
-Although the Swedish army had lifted the Polish siege of Gniew and Sigismund had withdrawn from the field, he still achieved progress and the upper hand to block the city of Gdańsk from Swedish troops before their arrival. Therefore, the withdrawal has to be considered somewhat tactical in purpose for the strategical overview.<ref name="Niezwykłe bitwy i szarże husarii"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radoslawsikora.republika.pl/GniewVivatVasa.pdf |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2012-10-10 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406155044/http://www.radoslawsikora.republika.pl/GniewVivatVasa.pdf |archivedate=2013-04-06 |df= }}</ref> The battle of Mewe marked the first time Swedish infantry had successfully stood their ground against [[Polish hussars]], even though being behind entrenchments it was an achievement for Gustavus Swedish infantry whose accurate and devastating fire had proved to be the decisive factor of the battle.<ref name="Age of Wars">[https://books.google.com/books?id=1h9zzSH-NmwC&pg=PA374&lpg=PA374&dq=Mewe+1626&source=bl&ots=SJ4dmRaHsd&sig=KYcpOWKi0doZyCLMvR4dDoJiDNo&hl=sv&sa=X&ei=F6yBUIjOFu_64QSyvYH4CQ&ved=0CFIQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=Mewe%201626&f=false The Age of Wars of Religion, 1000-1650, Cathal J. Nolan, p. 374]</ref> Thus, he fell ill in October the great assault on Gdańsk Gustavus had desired couldn't be executed, and the pursuit of Sigismund couldn't take place.<ref name="Vägen till Stormakt"/>
+Although the Swedish army had lifted the Polish siege of Gniew and Sigismund had withdrawn from the field, he still achieved progress and the upper hand to block the city of Gdańsk from Swedish troops before their arrival. Therefore, the withdrawal has to be considered somewhat tactical in purpose for the strategical overview.<ref name="Niezwykłe bitwy i szarże husarii"/><ref>{{cite web |first=Radosław |last=Sikora |url=http://www.radoslawsikora.republika.pl/GniewVivatVasa.pdf |title=Bitwa pod Gniewem 1626 i Vivat Vasa |access-date=2012-10-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406155044/http://www.radoslawsikora.republika.pl/GniewVivatVasa.pdf |archive-date=2013-04-06 |language=pl |date= 7 October 2009}}</ref> The battle of Mewe marked the first time Swedish infantry had successfully stood their ground against [[Polish hussars]], even though being behind entrenchments it was an achievement for Gustavus Swedish infantry whose accurate and devastating fire had proved to be the decisive factor of the battle.<ref name="Age of Wars">[https://books.google.com/books?id=1h9zzSH-NmwC&pg=PA374  The Age of Wars of Religion, 1000-1650, Cathal J. Nolan, p. 374]</ref> He fell ill in October, thus the great assault on Gdańsk Gustavus had desired couldn't be executed, and the pursuit of Sigismund couldn't take place.<ref name="Vägen till Stormakt"/>
+== Result ==
+The result of the battle is disputed, some historians claim that it was inconclusive,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sikora |first=Radosław |title=Niezwykłe bitwy i szarże husarii |publisher=[[Znak Horyzont]] |year=2021 |isbn=978-83-240-7982-7 |language=Polish |trans-title=Unusual battles and charges of hussars}}</ref> while the vast majority claim it as a Swedish victory.<ref name="Frost"/><ref name="Warrior Kings"/><ref>{{Cite book |last=Roberts |first=Michael |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JzsaAAAAIAAJ&q=Mewe+1626+swedish+victory |title=Gustavus Adolphus: 1626-1632 |date=1958 |publisher=Longmans, Green |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Scott |first=Franklin Daniel |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qv8zxie3A18C&dq=Mewe+1626+swedish+victory&pg=PA171 |title=Sweden, the Nation's History |date=1988 |publisher=SIU Press |isbn=978-0-8093-1489-8 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Roberts |first=Michael |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nIsABAAAQBAJ&dq=Mewe+1626+polish+victory&pg=PA55 |title=Gustavas Adolphus |date=2014-07-10 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-89576-3 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Essen |first=Michael |title=The Lion from the North: The Swedish Army During the Thirty Years' War |publisher=Helion & Company |year=2020 |isbn=978-1-80451-106-0 |page=42  |language=English |quote= "As a result, the Commonwealth siege of Mewe was lifted, and Sigismund retreated. The defeat at Mewe was not his only problem."}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Brumwell |first=Stephen |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xjavNwAACAAJ |title=The Art of War: Great commanders of the modern world: Gustavus Adolphus 1594–1632 |year=2009 |publisher=Quercus |isbn=978-1-847-24260-0 |page=29 |language=en}}</ref>
 ==Notes==
+===Citations===
 {{Reflist}}
-==Sources==
+===Bibliography===
+* {{cite journal |first=Albrycht Stanisław |last=Radziwiłł |title=Rys panowania Zygmunta III |url=https://crispa.uw.edu.pl/object/files/293709/display/PDF |editor=Edward Kotłubaj |journal=Athenaeum |year=1848 |volume= V |language=pl}}
-* Radosław Sikora, "Niezwykłe bitwy i szarże husarii", Wydanie pierwsze, Instytut Wydawniczy ERICA, Warszawa 2011
+* {{cite book |first=Stanisław |last=Żurkowski |title=Żywot Tomasza Zamojskiego kanclerza wielkiego koronnego. opr. Aleksander Batowski |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HI9aAAAAcAAJ |location=Lwów |year=1860 |language=pl }}
+* {{anchor|CITEREFDiariusz Woyny Pruskiey 1626}}"Diariusz Woyny Pruskiey w Roku 1626 przeciw Gustawowi Xiązeciu Szwedzkiemu Sudermanskie", AGAD,dz. 48 nr 300, 53.{{clarify|date=June 2020}}<!---- looks to be a document in Archiwum Glowne Akt Dawnych, possibly cited via http://www.radoslawsikora.republika.pl/GniewVivatVasa.pdf ---->
+==Further reading==
 * Paweł Piasecki, "Kronika Pawła Piaseckiego biskupa przemyślskiego". Kraków 1870.
-* Stanisław Żurkowski, "Żywot Tomasza Zamojskiego kanclerza wielkiego koronnego. opr. Aleksander Batowski". Lwów 1860.
-* "Diariusz Woyny Pruskiey w Roku 1626 przeciw Gustawowi Xiązeciu Szwedzkiemu Sudermanskie",AGAD,dz. 48 nr 300, 53.
 * Johan Loccenius, "Johannis Loccenii Historiae Svecanae, A primo Rege Sveciane usque ad Carolum XI. Regem Sveciae, deducate, Libri Novem... Accedunt Antiquitatum Sveo-Gothicarum, cum hodiernis institutis comparatarum, Libri Tres locupletiores, eodem Auctore". Frankfurt, Leipzig, 1676.
-* Albrycht Stanisław Radziwiłł, "Rys panowania Zygmunta III". Opr. Edward Kotłubaj. "Athenaeum" Wilno 1848. t. V, oddz. II.
 * Hoppe Israel, "Israel Hoppe's burggrafen zu Elbing Geschichte des Ersten Schwedisch - Polnischen Krieges in Preussen nebst Angangi". Opr. M. Toeppen. Leipzig 1887.
 *Zygmunt Stefan Koniecpolski, "Diariusz Wojny w Prusach". Biblioteka Kórnicka Polskiej Akademii Nauk (BK PAN) rps 201.
-*{{pl icon}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20130406155044/http://www.radoslawsikora.republika.pl/GniewVivatVasa.pdf '''Radosław Sikora bitwa pod Gniewem 1626''']
-{{coord|53.833333|18.833333|format=dms|display=title|type:event}}
 [[Category:Battles involving Poland|Gniew 1626]]