Battle of Nördlingen
The Battle of Nördlingen took place on September 6, 1634, during the Thirty Years' War and marked a significant turning point in the conflict. In this battle, Swedish-German forces faced a formidable coalition of Imperial-Spanish troops, despite the strategic plans laid out by their commanders. General Gustav Horn attempted to launch a coordinated attack, but the Imperial-Spanish army, led by Ferdinand II and Cardinal Prince Ferdinand, effectively utilized their advantageous position to repel the assault. The battle ended disastrously for the Swedish-German forces, with over 6,000 infantry killed and only 11,000 surviving to regroup at Frankfurt. In contrast, the Habsburg forces incurred relatively light casualties, totaling about 1,200 out of 36,000 engaged. The defeat not only dismantled the army established by Gustavus II Adolphus but also prompted France to enter the war, leading to further devastation across the Holy Roman Empire. Overall, the Battle of Nördlingen had profound implications for the course of the Thirty Years' War, reshaping alliances and contributing to widespread conflict in Europe.
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Battle of Nördlingen
Type of action: Ground battle in the Thirty Years’ War
Date: September 6, 1634
Location: Nördlingen, near Donauwörth on the Danube River (south central Germany)
Combatants: 25,000 Swedes and Germans (Protestant) vs. 35,000 Imperialists and Spanish (Catholic)
Principal commanders: Swedish-German, Swedish general Gustav Horn (1592–1649), Bernard, duke of Saxe-Weimar (1604–1639); Habsburg/Imperial, King Ferdinand of Hungary (1608–1657); Spanish/Imperial, Cardinal Prince Ferdinand of Spain
Result: Swedish-German armies were almost annihilated by the Imperial-Spanish armies, leaving the Habsburgs as virtual masters of the Holy Roman Empire
At the Battle at Nördlingen on September 6, 1634, Swedish-German forces were completely overwhelmed by combined Imperial-Spanish forces. Although they were outnumbered, the tactical plan was for General Gustav Horn to attack the Imperial right while Bernard, duke of Saxe-Weimar, pinned the Imperial left and prevented the shifting of forces. Despite the bravery of the Swedish troops, the Imperial-Spanish army, led by Ferdinand II, king of Hungary and Holy Roman emperor, and Cardinal Prince Ferdinand of Spain, used a strong natural position to repulse the poorly conceived attack. When Horn attempted to withdraw from his untenable position, Habsburg forces maintained contact at the Swedish rear. Simultaneously, Habsburg attacks on Bernard’s position routed the Swedish-German right. Those troops then wheeled into Horn’s flank and virtually annihilated the Swedes, killing more than 6,000 Swedish infantry. Of the entire Swedish-German army, only 11,000 later rejoined their units at Frankfurt. Habsburg losses were light, with but 1,200 casualties of 36,000 engaged.
Significance
The Swedish defeat destroyed the army created by Gustavus II Adolphus and brought France into the Thirty Years’ War. The war that followed left many areas of the Holy Roman Empire devastated and depopulated.
Resources
Friedrichs, Christopher R. Urban Society in an Age of War: Nördlingen, 1580–1720. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1979.
Parker, Geoffrey. European Soldiers, 1550–1650. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1977.
Wedgwood, C. V. The Thirty Years War. London: Folio Society, 1999.