Battle of Holowczyn

Battle of Holowczyn, 1708

Date	3 July 1708 (O.S.) 4 July 1708 (Swedish calendar) 14 July 1708 (N.S.)
Location	Hołowczyn, Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth (present day Halowchyn, 170 km northeast of Minsk in Belarus)
Result	Swedish victory

Belligerents

Swedish Empire

Tsardom of Russia

Commanders and leaders

Charles XII of Sweden

Boris Sheremetyev
Aleksandr Menshikov
Anikita Repnin

Strength

12,500

28,000, of which not more than 8,000-9,000 took part in the fighting

Casualties and losses

265 killed
1,028 wounded

2,000 killed according to A. Gordon
or 1,655 killed, wounded or missing

The Battle of Holowczyn or Holofzin or Golovchin was fought between the Russian forces, and the Swedish army, led by Charles XII of Sweden, only 26 years of age at the time. Despite difficult natural obstacles and superior enemy artillery, the Swedes were able to achieve surprise and defeat the numerically superior Russian forces, who were separated from each other, had no overall command and could not coordinate their actions, so that only 8,000-9,000 of them could take part in the fighting. Reportedly, it was Charles' favourite victory.

After dealing with Saxony-Poland, Charles was ready to take on his remaining enemy in the Great Northern War: Russia. The best route into the Russian heartland was along the continental divide from Grodno to Minsk and Smolensk. From there, Moscow could be reached without having to cross any major rivers. Charles chose instead a straighter – but more difficult – route, over the Berezina and Drut rivers. The army was moved from its winter camp near Radoszkowice in June 1708; the movement was plagued by poor road conditions and weather.

The unexpected choice of route made the Russians unsure of the Swedish intentions. In addition, with Peter I of Russia away the Field Marshal Boris Sheremetyev had to contend with the rivalry of Aleksander Menshikov. After a council of war, it was decided to draw the Russian defence line by the Dnieper River. In June and July the army was moved piecemeal towards Vabich, a marshy tributary of the Drut river. The Russian forces at Holowczyn had an order to defend their position as long as possible and then retreat, avoiding a general battle.

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