Battle of Chemnitz

In the Battle of Chemnitz defeated on 4 Apriljul. / April 14 1639greg. during the Thirty Years War, the troops of Sweden under Field Marshal Johan Banér the combined imperial and Saxon troops under Lieutenant-General Matthias Gallas. Johan Banér, who previously had to break the siege of Freiberg in the spring of 1639, could this continue as a result of battle.

Course

Just two days before the battle, the army had been able to unite Johan Banér from Lennart Torstensson with. In response, the army moved a day later Chemnitz. The imperial and Saxon troops, who found out about it until the following day, then left her quarters in Hohenstein- Ernstthal and withdrew. Still at the imperial retreat rearguard Gallas was surprised and beaten by the Swedish army. By gaining time but the imperial troops under Gallas could be set up in order of battle.

Positioned in two wings, the left front of Chemnitz, right behind the eponymous river, the army met with the Swedish cavalry. First, the Swedes attacked only the left wing after the Imperial the first attack could still stand, the left wing broke apart during the attack of the cavalry.

Encouraged by the success, let Banér cross the Chemnitz to attack the right wing on the same day. The right wing Gallas then took to flight, thus the battle with a crushing defeat for the Imperial and the Electorate of Saxony was lost. Also, could the Swedes, who had their artillery and infantry was not installed, capture the artillery and the baggage train of their opponents. After the victory of the way to Bohemia was opened for Johan Banér, first he besieged, however, a second time (and unsuccessfully) the mountain town.