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| Polish defeat was complete. 3000 cold bodies were left at battlefield, 300 |
Polish defeat was complete. 3000 cold bodies were left at battlefield, 300 knights were captured by Teutons, including three main commanders: Mikolaj Szarlejski, Lukasz Gorka, Wojciech Kostka from Postupice. Teutons lost only around 100 people. Bernard Szumborski was formally Polish prisoner, since he gave knight's word. | ||
Revision as of 14:47, 21 January 2002
History -- Military history -- List of battles -- History of Poland -- History of Prussia
Battle of Chojnice (Battle of Conitz) occurred September 18 1454 between Poland and Teutonic Knights during Thirteen Years War, won by the latter. Teutonic army had around 9000 cavalry and 6000 infantry under Bernard Szumborski. Polish army had 16000 cavalry, few thousands of servants (who can and usually were used in battles), few hundreds of infantry plus 500 mercenaries and burgers from Danzig and 2000 mercenaries hired by Prussian Confederacy, under commandment of king Casimir IV, advised by chancellor Jan Koniecpolski and Piotr from Szczekociny.
Polish commanders were counting that battle will be traditionally win by Polish heavy cavalry, not caring much about artillery or infantry. They hadn't thought that opponent could change traditional strategy, or that Teutonic soldiers sieged in Chojnice could be anything more than passive spectacors of battle. Bernard Szumborski however planned totally different kind of battle.
At the beginning everything goes traditionally as in many other battles between Poles and Teutons. Polish cavalry charged with much success, breaking Teutonic lines, killing prince Rudolf of Zagan and even capturing Bernard Szumborski. Teutonic cavalry tried to break through Polish lines and escape to Chojnice; however infantry grouped at Teutonic wegenburg break traditions with very good defense. Sudden attack from Chojnice at back of Polish army caused panic. Bernard Szumborski managed to release himself and organised chase; hundreds of Poles, including Piotr from Szczekociny, were killed during escape or drowned in moors nearby. King fought with great personal courage and his knights had to force him to leave the battlefield.
Polish defeat was complete. 3000 cold bodies were left at battlefield, 300 knights were captured by Teutons, including three main commanders: Mikolaj Szarlejski, Lukasz Gorka, Wojciech Kostka from Postupice. Teutons lost only around 100 people. Bernard Szumborski was formally Polish prisoner, since he gave knight's word.
Battle proved that discipline and modern tactics, combined with talented commander, can won against larger, but traditional army. Poles paid price for ignoring terrain, infantry and artillery.