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Revision as of 10:22, 8 November 2008 editJaraalbe (talk | contribs)105,816 editsm reclassify← Previous edit Revision as of 20:27, 16 January 2009 edit undo70.133.78.156 (talk) edits, Battle of Konitz in Prussia , commander Bernard von Zinnenberg of Moravia (HRE)Next edit →
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{{unreferenced|date=June 2008}} {{unreferenced|date=June 2008}}
{{Infobox Military Conflict {{Infobox Military Conflict
|conflict=Battle of Chojnice |conflict=Battle of Konitz (Chojnice)
|image= |image=
|caption= |caption=
|partof=the ] |partof=the ]
|date=], ] |date=], ]
|place=Near ], ] |place=Near Conitz, Konitz, Prussia , now ], ]
|result=Teutonic Victory |result=Teutonic Victory
|combatant1=] ] |combatant1=] ]
|combatant2=] ]<br>] |combatant2=] ]<br>]
|commander1=] ] |commander1=] Bernard von Zinnenberg
|commander2=] ]<br>] ]<br>] ]† |commander2=] ]<br>] ]<br>] ]†
|strength1=9,000 cavalry <br> 6,000 infantry |strength1=9,000 cavalry <br> 6,000 infantry
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{{Campaignbox Thirteen Years' War}} {{Campaignbox Thirteen Years' War}}


The '''Battle of Chojnice''' ('''Battle of Konitz''') occurred on ] ] by the town of ] between ] and the ] during the ], it was won by the latter. The Teutonic army had around 9000 cavalry and 6000 infantry under ]. The Polish army had 16000 cavalry, a few thousand servants (who can and usually were used in battles), a few hundred infantry plus 500 mercenaries and burgers from ] and 2000 mercenaries hired by Prussian Confederacy, all under the command of King ], advised by ] ] and ]. The '''Battle of Konitz''' in Polish: Chojnice, occurred on ] ] near the town of Conitz, Konitz in Prussia, now ], Poland between the ] and the ] during the inter-Prussian battles of the ]. It was won by the Order. The Teutonic army had around 9000 cavalry and 6000 infantry under ] of ], a part of the ]. Bernard von Zinnenberg is in Polish language known as Szumborski. The Polish army had 16000 cavalry, a few thousand servants (who can and usually were used in battles), a few hundred infantry plus 500 mercenaries and burgers from Danzig (now ]) and 2000 mercenaries hired by Prussian Confederacy, under the command of King ], advised by ] ] and ].


The Polish commanders were counting that the battle would be traditionally won by the Polish heavy cavalry, not caring much about either artillery or infantry. They hadn't thought that opponent could change their traditional strategy, or that the Teutonic soldiers besieged in ] could be anything more than spectators. Bernard Szumborski however had planned a totally different kind of battle. The Polish commanders were assuming that the battle, as often the case, would be won by the Polish heavy cavalry, not caring much about either artillery or infantry. They did not think that opponents would change their traditional strategy, or that the Teutonic soldiers besieged in Konitz (]) could be anything more than spectators. Bernard von Zinnenberg however had planned a totally different kind of battle.


At the beginning everything went as expected, following the pattern of many other battles between the Poles and Teutons. The Polish cavalry charged with much success, breaking the Teutonic lines, killing Prince Rudolf of Żagań and even capturing Bernard Szumborski. The Teutonic cavalry tried to break through Polish lines and escape to Chojnice; however infantry grouped at the Teutonic ] broke with tradition and offer a very good defense against the mounted troops. Then a sudden sally from Chojnice at the back of the Polish army caused panic. Bernard Szumborski managed to release himself and organised pursuit; hundreds of Poles, including Piotr from Szczekociny, were killed during the rout or drowned in nearby marsh. The Polish King fought on with great personal courage and his knights had to force him to leave the battlefield. At the beginning everything went as expected, following the pattern of many other battles between the Poles and Teutons. The Polish cavalry charged with much success, breaking the Teutonic lines, killing Prince ] (Żagań) and even capturing Bernard von Zinnenberg (Szumborski). The Teutonic cavalry tried to break through Polish lines and escape to Konitz; however infantry grouped at the Teutonic ] broke with tradition and offered a very good defense against the mounted troops. Then a sudden sally from Konitz at the back of the Polish army caused panic. Bernard von Zinnenberg managed to free himself and organised pursuit; hundreds of Poles, including Piotr from Szczekociny, were killed during the rout or drowned in nearby marsh. The Polish King is said to have fought on with great personal courage and his knights had to force him to leave the battlefield.


The Polish defeat was complete. 3000 bodies were left at battlefield, 300 knights were captured by Teutons, including three main commanders: Mikolaj Szarlejski, Łukasz Górka, and Wojciech Kostka from Postupice. The Teutonic Knights lost only around 100 men. Bernard Szumborski was however formally a Polish prisoner, since he gave a knight's word. The Polish defeat was complete. 3000 bodies were left at the battlefield, 300 knights were captured by the Teutonic Order, including three main commanders: Mikolaj Szarlejski, Łukasz Górka, and Wojciech Kostka from Postupice. The Teutonic Knights lost only around 100 men. Bernard von Zinnenberg was however formally a Polish prisoner, since he gave a knight's word.


The battle proved that discipline and improved tactics, combined with a talented commander could win against a larger, but more traditional army. The Poles paid the price for ignoring terrain, infantry and artillery. The battle proved that discipline and improved tactics, combined with a talented commander could win against a larger, but more traditional army. The Poles paid the price for ignoring terrain, infantry and artillery.


] ]
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Revision as of 20:27, 16 January 2009

This article is about the 1454 battle. For the 1656 battle, see Battle of Chojnice (1656). For the 1939 battle, see Battle of Chojnice (1939).
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Battle of Konitz (Chojnice)
Part of the Thirteen Years' War
DateSeptember 18, 1454
LocationNear Conitz, Konitz, Prussia , now Chojnice, Poland
Result Teutonic Victory
Belligerents
Teutonic Order File:PB Piast2 CoA.png Kingdom of Poland
Prussian Confederation
Commanders and leaders
Bernard von Zinnenberg File:PB Piast2 CoA.png King Casimir IV Jagiellon
File:PB Piast2 CoA.png Jan Taszka Koniecpolski
File:PB Piast2 CoA.png Piotr of Szczekociny†
Strength
9,000 cavalry
6,000 infantry		 16,000 cavalry,
over 3,000 infantry
Casualties and losses
~100 killed Over 3,000 killed
300 captured
Thirteen Years' War

The Battle of Konitz in Polish: Chojnice, occurred on September 18 1454 near the town of Conitz, Konitz in Prussia, now Chojnice, Poland between the Kingdom of Poland and the Teutonic Order during the inter-Prussian battles of the Thirteen Years' War. It was won by the Order. The Teutonic army had around 9000 cavalry and 6000 infantry under Bernard von Zinnenberg of Moravia, a part of the Holy Roman Empire. Bernard von Zinnenberg is in Polish language known as Szumborski. The Polish army had 16000 cavalry, a few thousand servants (who can and usually were used in battles), a few hundred infantry plus 500 mercenaries and burgers from Danzig (now Gdańsk) and 2000 mercenaries hired by Prussian Confederacy, under the command of King Casimir IV, advised by chancellor Jan Koniecpolski and Piotr from Szczekociny.

The Polish commanders were assuming that the battle, as often the case, would be won by the Polish heavy cavalry, not caring much about either artillery or infantry. They did not think that opponents would change their traditional strategy, or that the Teutonic soldiers besieged in Konitz (Chojnice) could be anything more than spectators. Bernard von Zinnenberg however had planned a totally different kind of battle.

At the beginning everything went as expected, following the pattern of many other battles between the Poles and Teutons. The Polish cavalry charged with much success, breaking the Teutonic lines, killing Prince Rudolf of Sagan (Żagań) and even capturing Bernard von Zinnenberg (Szumborski). The Teutonic cavalry tried to break through Polish lines and escape to Konitz; however infantry grouped at the Teutonic Wagenburg broke with tradition and offered a very good defense against the mounted troops. Then a sudden sally from Konitz at the back of the Polish army caused panic. Bernard von Zinnenberg managed to free himself and organised pursuit; hundreds of Poles, including Piotr from Szczekociny, were killed during the rout or drowned in nearby marsh. The Polish King is said to have fought on with great personal courage and his knights had to force him to leave the battlefield.

The Polish defeat was complete. 3000 bodies were left at the battlefield, 300 knights were captured by the Teutonic Order, including three main commanders: Mikolaj Szarlejski, Łukasz Górka, and Wojciech Kostka from Postupice. The Teutonic Knights lost only around 100 men. Bernard von Zinnenberg was however formally a Polish prisoner, since he gave a knight's word.

The battle proved that discipline and improved tactics, combined with a talented commander could win against a larger, but more traditional army. The Poles paid the price for ignoring terrain, infantry and artillery.

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