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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).

Battle of Chojnice
Part of the Thirteen Years' War
Date September 18, 1454 Location Near Chojnice, Poland Result Teutonic Victory
Belligerents
Teutonic Order	File:PB Piast2 CoA.png Kingdom of Poland Prussian Confederation
Commanders and leaders
Bernard von Zinnenberg (Polish: Szumborski	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

The Battle of Konitz (Battle of Chojnice) occurred on September 18 1454 by the town of Chojnice between Poland and the Teutonic Knights during the Thirteen Years' War, it was won by the latter. The Teutonic army had around 9000 cavalry and 6000 infantry men from Silesia and Bohemia under Bernard von Zinnenberg (by Poles called Bernard 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 Gdańsk and 2000 mercenaries hired by Prussian Confederacy, all under the command of King Casimir IV, advised by chancellor Jan Koniecpolski and Piotr from Szczekociny.

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 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 and even capturing Bernard von Zinnenberg. The Teutonic cavalry tried to break through Polish lines and escape to Conitz (Chojnice); 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 Conitz at the back of the Polish army caused panic. Bernard v. 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 barely escaped death himself.

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

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.

• 1454
• Battles of the Thirteen Years' War