Battle of Lwów (1675)

Battle of Lwów
Part of the Polish–Ottoman War (1672–76)
Battle over the Turkish banner by Józef Brandt
Date August 24, 1675 Location Lwów, Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth Result Polish victory
Belligerents
Ottoman Empire	Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
Commanders and leaders
Ibrahim Shyshman	John III Sobieski
Strength
20,000	~6,000 (2,000 cavalry, 4,000 infantry)
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Unknown

Battle of Lwów or Battle of Lesienice refers to a battle between the armies of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and Ottoman Empire that took place near the city of Lwów (nowadays Lviv, western Ukraine) on August 24, 1675.

In the early summer of 1675 the Turkish forces of Ibrahim Shyshman (Abraham the Fat) crossed the Polish border into Podolia and started its rapid march towards Lwów along the banks of the Dnister. The army numbered some 20,000 men and was composed of Turkish infantry and cavalry with significant Tatar detachments. The Polish king John III Sobieski decided to concentrate his troops in and around Lwów and face the assaulting Muslim armies after more reinforcements arrived. The Turkish commander was notified of the concentration and moved his army to Lwow.

The Polish king gathered 6.000 men. Approximately 1.700 of them were Hussars while the rest were composed of infantry, dragoons and light cavalry. In the early morning of August 24 the Polish reconnaissance units encountered the Turkish columns quickly approaching the city of Lwów from the direction of the village of Gliniany (today's Hlyniany). The main road from the area of Gliniany passed through a plain surrounded by swamps on both sides. Shortly before reaching the city itself the road passed through hilly terrain.

Sobieski decided to split his forces. A unit of 180 infantrymen, 200 light cavalry and several cannons was placed in the easternmost of the ravines leading to the road to Lwów. Most of the heavy cavalry were placed on the road itself, directly behind the valleys and the plain. The left flank of his forces was guarded by 200 Hussars stationed in the village of Zboiska, while the rest of the light cavalry and infantry guarded all other approaches towards the city in case the Turks outflanked the defenders and attacked the city from other directions. The remaining taborites and civilians were ordered to group on the hills surrounding the plains. They were given spare lances of the Hussars in order to give the impression that the number of Polish troops was much higher.

...
Wikipedia