Battle of Fehrbellin

The Battle of Fehrbellin was fought on June 18, 1675 between Sweden and Brandenburg. The Swedes, under Count Waldemar von Wrangel (stepbrother of Carl Gustaf Wrangel), had invaded and occupied parts of Brandenburg from their possessions in Pomerania, but were repelled by the forces of Frederick William, the Great Elector, under Feldmarschall Georg von Derfflinger near the town of Fehrbellin.

Prelude

Prior to the battle the Swedes and Brandenburg had been allies in various wars against Poland. However, when Frederick joined an allied expedition against Louis XIV, the French persuaded Sweden, which had been increasingly isolated on the continent, to attack Brandenburg while their army was away.

When Frederick heard of the attack and occupation of a large part of his principality, he drew his army out of the coalition and marched it 250 kilometres in only two weeks. This feat was considered one of the great marches in military history. He did it by abandoning his supply wagons and having his army buy supplies from the locals, but forbidding pillaging.

Once he returned to Brandenburg, Frederick William immediately realized that the Swedes were dispersed and ordered Derrflinger to take the central town of Rathenow in order to split the Swedes roughly down the middle. Frederick bribed a local official loyal to him to hold a large and elaborate banquet for the Swedish officers of the fortress in order to get them drunk before the assault began. Derfflinger then personally...
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