alternatehistory.com

The Swedish Offensive

The Hats Party in Sweden was becoming aware that the money given them by the French for entering the war, was not going to last too far. While the successes they had thus far in securing Stettin and the Western portion of Prussian Pomerania had helped their cause, the expense of maintain the garrison and blockades with the Navy was mounting in what was obvious by now was going to be a long war after news of that yet again, the Russians would not meet up with Swedish land forces during the year. They needed a victory to bolster their image and quiet their detractors so order a Swedish offensive into Brandenburg in the hopes of an easy victory.

In the campaign thus far, Sweden had taken Usedom, Wollin, Anklam, Ueckern, Eggesin, Pasewalk, Politz and Stettin. Even Mecklenburg had recently decided to go beyond hiring out their army and took the Prussian enclave within its borders, risking drawing the ire of Fredrick, though they were still cautious of conflict with Hanover on their western border.

Since Count von Rosen was still perfectly content to sit in Stettin, the Hats party sent General Gustaf David Hamilton to lead troops in Pomerania, and organize an offensive against Berlin. Hamilton left Rosen in charge of defending Stettin, since he at least seemed to be doing that well, while he took a combined for of 12,000 Swedish and Mecklenburg forces southwest to enter Brandernburg from the north, aiming for Stranburg, Prenzlau and ultimately Berlin. Though Hamilton did not expect to hold Berlin, it was though that, given the numerous enemies he was facing Fredrick might be willing to make peace and give up Pomerania in exchange for the city.

Battle of Strasburg

On September 23rd, Swedish forces approached and besieged the Prussian garrison in Strasburg after fighting a brief skirmish outside the town. The much smaller Prussian garrison surrendered after just three days.

Battle Results:
Swedish-Mecklenburg Forces: 150 dead and wounded
Prussian Forces: 200 dead and wounded, 500 captured.

Clear Swedish Victory

Battle of Prenzlau

After leaving a small garrison in Strasburg the Swedish forces would continue on to Prenzlau in order to repeat the victory. Fredrick had no intention of letting the Swedes walk up to Berlin and as soon as he heard reports of Swedish reinforcements arriving by ship and gathering to march south, he had sent General Carl Heinrich von Wedel with a force of 6000 to attempt to stop the advance.

Von Wedel, after learning of the Swedish army’s progression, took advantage of the Swedes utter lack of light troops, striking them with hit and run cavalry skirmishes for three days before committing to a battle near Prenzlau. The Swedes had though the forces they were being attack with were much smaller, and continued to surround and besiege the town of Prenzlau even after being whittled down to 11,000.

On September 29th, after the Swedish forces spread out around the town and camped for the night, Wedel took his 5800 strong Prussian army and attacked the southern side of the besieging forces with speed, maneuvering and discipline. The Prussian forces did heavy damage to the Swedish forces, causing them to abandon the siege, and withdraw northwards again.

Battle Results:
Swedish-Mecklenburg Forces: 3,000 dead and wounded.
Prussian Forces: 550 dead and wounded.

Definitive Prussian Victory

After the battle Hamilton retreated back to Pomerania, and demanded the creation of light troops before pursuing further offensives. The Swedes at least managed to hold on to Strasburg for the time being for their trouble.