Battle of Rødenes

Part of the Dano-Swedish War of 1808-1809

Date	20 April – 7 May 1808
Location	Rødenes, Norway
Result	Dano-Norwegian strategic victory

Belligerents

Sweden

Denmark-Norway

Commanders and leaders

Bror Cederström

Christian August

Andreas Samuel Krebs

The Battle of Rødenes was a series of skirmishes that took place in late April and early May 1808 from Lund in Hemnes to Ørje as a result of the Swedish invasion of Norway during the Dano-Swedish War of 1808-1809.

On 15 April 1808, a day after the Swedish 2nd Brigade had crossed the border into Norway, the Swedish 3rd Brigade crossed the Swedish-Norwegian border from Töcksmark and occupied the eastern side of Rødenessjøen and Øymarksjøen. From there, the Swedes had established outposts to the south and up to Hemnes. The Swedish commander, Colonel Bror Cederström, also ordered the creation of barricades, especially at Ørje, where he had his headquarters.

At the time of the Swedish 3rd Brigade's invasion, Prince Christian August's primary concern was the Swedish breakthrough after the battle of Lier and the Swedish advancements towards Kongsvinger. However, he was concerned that the Swedish 3rd brigade could move northward and cut off large numbers of Norwegian troops. On 20 April, he sent two companies under Captain Heyerdahl and Captain Zarbell against Hemnes to stop a possible Swedish advance.

When the rumor that the Swedes were advancing reached the Norwegian companies, Captain Heyerdahl decided to pull his company back to Fetsund, while Captain Zarbell stationed his troops west of the farm Lund, east of Hemnes Church. From there he eventually moved towards the farm, where his troops clashed with a Swedish Jäger Corps. After the brief skirmish, the Swedes withdrew almost half a mile back to Opsal and Krok in Rødenes, where the most northern Swedish positions were located.

When Colonel Cederström was told about the retreat, he ordered the company commander to advance again and confront the Norwegian company, which had stationed itself at Lund. This order was carried out and the Swedish forces tried repeatedly to drive Zabell's company out of Lund, but in vain. When they had lost a quarter of their troops, the Swedes chose to withdraw back to Opsal.

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Wikipedia