Battle of Kalisz

Battle of Kalisz
Part of the Great Northern War
Date October 29, 1706 Location Kalisz, Poland Result Allied Coalition Victory
Belligerents
Sweden	Saxony Russia Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth
Commanders and leaders
Arvid Axel Mardefelt	Augustus II the Strong Aleksandr Danilovich Menshikov
Strength
4,300 (of which there was only one national Swedish regiment) 10 000 Poles loyal to the Swedes (ran off in the initial phase of the battle)	32,000
Casualties and losses
700 killed 1,800 captured	764 killed and wounded

The Battle of Kalisz took place on October 29, 1706 in Kalisz, Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth during the Great Northern War. It was a three hour fight which could have been prevented if Augustus II of Poland had been better informed of certain matters concerning the Swedes and Russians. At the time, an alliance existed between the Poles, Saxons, and Russians. The battle was fought by Russian cavalry, led by commander Aleksandr Menshikov; against a smaller Swedish force headed by colonel Mardefelt. The Russians played a role of significance here because they needed to support their Saxon allies under Augustus.

Prelude

Charles XII of Sweden's victory in the Battle of Fraustadt had forced August the Strong of the Electorate of Saxony to drop out of the Great Northern War and abdicate his claims to the Polish crown in the Treaty of Altranstädt.

When he learned of the recently arranged treaty while on his travels with Menshikov, Augustus chose to keep the news from him. His decision was based on the Russians' support through generosity in expenses. They were prepared to fight for him and Augustus could not risk angering his ally with the recently learned information. His last attempt to mend the situation was also unsuccessful. He sent word to the waiting Swedish force begging them to retreat upon meeting, but Mardefelt, having been unaware of the treaty, interpreted the plea as a trick of battle. As a result of poor communication, and to Augustus' dismay, the Battle of Kalisz did occur.

Battle

The battle began well for the Swedes, however the allies were able to turn it around, bringing strong musket power upon their enemy. From this point the Swedes were left in one group rather than organized regiments. This vulnerability allowed the allies to be victorious. It reflected well upon Menshikov as a commander, and although it would not have been favorable to lose, was slightly embarrassing for Augustus. He later apologized to Charles and Tsar Peter the Great for the difficult situation.

Aftermath

The Swedish defeat was rendered moot when Charles XII exposed Augustus' ratification of the Altranstädt treaty, whereupon the latter gave in to obey by its terms and withdrew to Saxony by November.

Also, although he had planned to originally renounce the Treaty of Altranstädt, Augustus went along with its terms. Finally 1,800 Swedish prisoners were returned.

Sources

Bibliography

• Frost, Robert I (2000). The Northern Wars. War, State and Society in Northeastern Europe 1558-1721. Longman. ISBN 978-0-582-06429-4. 
• Jan Wimmer: The Battle of Kalisz
• Robert K. Massie: Peter the Great
• "Der Ausführlichen Lebens-Beschreibung. Carls des XII. Königs in Schweden", Sechter Theil, Frankfurt unt Leipzig 1707 p. 186-188

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