The Battle of Kjølberg Bridge (Swedish: Slaget vid Kjølbergs bro) was fought 14 August 1814, during the Swedish–Norwegian war of 1814. The Swedish army had problems repairing the bridge due to constant fire from the Norwegian side of the river. It was then a small Swedish force of 75 men, consisting of jägers from the Bohuslän and Life Grenadier Regiments, passed over the river at a hidden point. Once over they waited for reinforcements but none came; but instead the order of attacking the vastly larger Norwegian force. The Colonel response to the attack order have been famous "It is unreasonable to attack with only 75 men when you face a whole regiment." "But such an order isn't given to me twice. March!" During cheers the Swedes rushed up the hill toward the mansion that was occupied with 600 men. The attack was surprising and decisive. As more Swedish troops crossed, the Norwegians quickly left the stand. This was the last battle fought during the Swedish–Norwegian War. The Convention of Moss, providing a cease fire agreement, was signed that same day.[3][1]
| Battle of Kjølberg Bridge | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Swedish–Norwegian War of 1814 | |||||||
 Plaque of the Battle of Kjølberg bridge August 14, 1814 | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Norway |
 Sweden | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Unknown |
Gustav Fredrik Mörner | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 600[1] | 75 engaged (supported by 4 battalions)[2] | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
|
30 killed 30 captured[2] |
3 killed 14 wounded[2] | ||||||
The last shots were fired north of the bridge with the Norwegians in retreat.[4][5]
Notes edit
- ^ a b krigsarkivet 2016.
- ^ a b c popularhistoria 2016.
- ^ sccj 2015.
- ^ runeberg 2019.
- ^ svd 2016.
References edit
- krigsarkivet (2016). "Så gick det i slaget vid Kjölbergsbro". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
- popularhistoria (2016). "Sveriges sista krig – fälttåget mot Norge". Archived from the original on 8 August 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
- runeberg (2019). "Mörner". Archived from the original on 13 December 2019. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
- sccj (2015). "200 years of peace (Swedish Chamber of Commerce and Industry)". Archived from the original on 22 January 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
- svd (2016). "Så gick det i slaget vid Kjölbergsbro".
See also edit
Further reading edit
- Nordlund, Karl (2007). The Swedish-Norwegian Union Crisis: A History with Documents. BiblioBazaar. ISBN 978-0554086934.
- Angell, Henrik (1914). Syv-Aars-Krigen for 17. Mai 1807–1814 [The Seven Years' War for May 17, 1807-1814] (in Norwegian). Kristiania: H. Aschehoug & Co.
- Steen, Sverre (1989). 1814 (in Norwegian). J. W. Cappelens Forlag A/S. ISBN 82-02-11935-9.