Battle of Stralsund (1678)

Battle of Stralsund
Part of Scanian War
Date 10/11 October 1678 Location Stralsund, Swedish Pomerania (now in Germany) Result Brandenburg-Prussia victory Capture of Stralsund from Sweden
Belligerents
Brandenburg-Prussia	Swedish Empire
Commanders and leaders
Frederick William I, Elector of Brandenburg	Otto Wilhelm von Königsmarck

Brandenburg-Prussia victory

The Siege of Stralsund was a battle between the Electorate of Brandenburg and the Swedish Empire on 10 and 11 October 1678, during the Scanian War. After two days of bombardment, the severely devastated Swedish fortress of Stralsund surrendered to the Brandenburgers. The remainder of Swedish Pomerania was taken by the end of the year, yet most of the province including Stralsund was returned to Sweden by the terms of the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye and the Peace of Lund, both concluded in 1679.

The Scanian War reached Swedish Pomerania when after the Battle of Fehrbellin (1675) the retreating Swedish forces were pursued by a Brandenburgian army under "Great Elector" Frederick William I's command. Stralsund was one of only two major fortresses Sweden maintained in Pomerania, the other one being Stettin. After the Brandenburgian army had captured Stettin and Wolgast, Stralsund was seriously threatened. In addition, Danish forces had landed on Rügen in 1677, aided by a loyal Rugian noble.

Thus, all buildings outside the fortifications were levelled in 1677 to strip an imminent Brandenburgian attack of cover. Stralsund then held a population of 8,500, including armed burghers, and close to 5,000 Swedish, German and Finnish foot and horse.

Frederick William I positioned his artillery south of the town and started bombardment on 10 October 1678. His aim was to force Swedish commander Otto Wilhelm von Königsmarck into surrender by abundantly firing incendiary bombs on the burghers' mansions. The small, newly created Brandenburgian navy also took part in the siege.

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