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Capture of Daugavgrīva

Coordinates: 57°03′17″N 24°05′34″E / 57.05472°N 24.09278°E / 57.05472; 24.09278
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Capture of Daugavgrīva
Part of the Polish–Swedish War (1600–1611)

Fortifications in Daugavgrīva in 1601
Date27 July–5 August 1608
Location57°03′17″N 24°05′34″E / 57.05472°N 24.09278°E / 57.05472; 24.09278
Result Swedish victory
Territorial
changes
Swedes capture Daugavgrīva
Belligerents
Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Sweden Sweden
Commanders and leaders
Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Franciszek Białłozor  Surrendered Sweden Joachim Frederick von Mansfeld
Strength
130 infantry
40 guns
8,000 infantry
Casualties and losses
Entire garrison surrendered None

The Capture of Daugavgriva by Swedish forces in July 1608 occurred during the Polish–Swedish War (1600–1611).

Daugavgrīva castle[1] (Polish: Dynemund, Swedish: Dünamünde) was the first objective of the Swedish forces during the campaign of 1608, due to its location near Riga (Daugavgrīva is Riga suburb today), and the fact that it could be used to block that city from the sea. When the Swedes, numbering 8000 troops and led by Joachim Frederick von Mansfeld, approached the fortress at Daugavgrīva, the Polish commander of the 130 strong garrison (with 40 cannons), Franciszek Białłozor, lacking in supplies and little hope of relief, decided to surrender.[2] Swedes captured Daugavgriva on 5 August 1608.[3]

The Poles recaptured the fortress a year later at the Battle of Daugavgriva (1609).

Tower of Daugavgriva on a hill behind the moat, architectural relic of the Fort of Daugavgrīva today (2006 photo)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Daugavgrīva castle (Riga) Wikimapia
  2. ^ Wisner, Henryk (1987). Kircholm 1605. MON. p. 121. ISBN 8311073872.
  3. ^ Arturs Henin̦š (2007). "Rīgas hronika: 12.-21. gadsimts". Rigas Balvas Biedrība. p. 199. Retrieved August 5, 2012.