Battle of Chemnitz

The Battle of Chemnitz (14 April 1639) took place near the town of Chemnitz, in what is now eastern Germany, during the Thirty Years' War. Swedish forces under Johan Banér inflicted a crushing defeat on Rodolfo Giovanni Marazzino who commanded the Saxons and an Imperial detachment.

Battle of Chemnitz
Part of the Thirty Years' War
Date 14 April 1639 Location Chemnitz (present-day Germany) 50°50′N 12°55′E Result Swedish victory
Belligerents
Sweden	Holy Roman Empire Saxony
Commanders and leaders
Johan Banér Lennart Torstensson	Rodolfo Giovanni Marazzino
Strength
6 cavalry regiments	5,000 men
Casualties and losses
500 killed or wounded	2,000 men 500 killed or wounded 1,500 captured
Location within Saxony Battle of Chemnitz (Germany)

Battle

The battle was a confused engagement in broken country north of Chemnitz. After a forced march to the area, the Swedish forces were able to rout a large portion of the opposing forces, capturing their baggage train, and taking 1,500 prisoners.

Aftermath

Following the battle, the Swedes occupied Pirna and advanced into Bohemia.

References

• Wedgwood, C.V. (1938), The Thirty Years War, Pimlico, ISBN 0-7126-5332-5
• Wilson, Peter Hamish (2009), The Thirty Years War: Europe's Tragedy (illustrated, reprint ed.), Harvard University Press, pp. 614, ISBN 9780674036345