Battle of Vaasa

Last updated
Battle of Vaasa
Part of the Finnish War
Date25–26 June 1808
Location 63°6′0.000″N21°37′0.001″E / 63.10000000°N 21.61666694°E / 63.10000000; 21.61666694
Result Russian victory
Belligerents
Naval Ensign of Sweden.svg Kingdom of Sweden Flag of Russia.svg Russian Empire
Commanders and leaders
Naval Ensign of Sweden.svg Johan Bergenstråhle Flag of Russia.svg Nikolay Demidov
Strength
1,100 infantry
200–300 peasants
4 guns [1]
1,488 infantry
200 cossacks
4 guns [2]
Casualties and losses
272 [3] –567 [2]
1 gun [2]
150 [2] –172 [3]
Finland adm location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location within Finland
Europe relief laea location map.jpg
Red pog.svg
Battle of Vaasa (Europe)

The Battle of Vaasa was fought between the Kingdom of Sweden and the Russian Empire during the Finnish War (1808-1809).

Contents

While the Swedish army was celebrating its victory at Nykarleby, another Swedish force, led by Johan Bergenstråhle, landed at Vaasa. Adlercreutz had forgot about this landing and didn't send any troops to help Bergenstråhle. The Swedes, numbering 1,300–1,400 men, landed just outside Vaasa, but the Russians, strengthened by the arrival of the Russian main army turned out to be too strong. After some harsh street battles, the Russians lost 37 killed, 82–113 wounded (five officers) and, according to certain sources, 53 captured; in total 150 [2] –172 men. [3] By their own accounts, the Swedes had lost 76 men killed or severely wounded, two lightly wounded, and 194 captured (including the commander). [4] According to Russian sources, up to 300 Swedes were killed and wounded, and 250 privates and 17 officers captured; in total 567 men. [2] The remaining forces retreated northwards, to the Swedish main army at Nykarleby, and created the Sixth [Swedish] brigade.

Russian forces

In total: 1,688 men and 4 guns [2]

Swedish forces

In total: 1,300–1,400 men and 4 guns [5]

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References

  1. Hornborg 1955, p. 114.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Leer 1885, p. 21.
  3. 1 2 3 Hornborg 1955, p. 115.
  4. Generalstaben 1910, pp. 228–229.
  5. Hornborg 1955, pp. 111–112.

Sources