Battle of Fehrbellin
Near Fehrbellin, Brandenburg, Germany
What happened
Frederick William of Brandenburg, later called 'the Great Elector', and Field Marshal Georg von Derfflinger fought a Swedish army under Count Waldemar Wrangel. Sweden invaded Brandenburg while its ruler was away fighting in Alsace. Frederick William marched his army back at great speed and surprised the Swedes, who retreated toward Fehrbellin. Trapped by marshes and a broken bridge, the Swedish army was beaten, though part of it escaped across the repaired bridge before dark.
Why it matters
Why it matters: Sweden had long been seen as nearly unbeatable, so the defeat had a big effect. Frederick William became known as the Great Elector, and his army became the core of the future Prussian army.
What came next
Brandenburg invaded Swedish Pomerania, but the peace of 1679 largely restored the pre-war borders. A victory tower was later built on Hakenberg hill, opened in 1879.
Did you know?
Frederick William's march of about 250 km in two weeks is counted among the great marches in military history.
Timeline
- 28 June 1675Brandenburg wins at Fehrbellin.
- 1679The Peace of Saint-Germain-en-Laye largely restores the pre-war situation.
- 2 September 1879The victory tower on Hakenberg hill is opened.