Battles & Campaigns · 1808
Battle of Lemo
Lemo, Kaarina, near Turku, Finland
What happened
A Swedish landing force under Eberhard von Vegesack fought Russian troops under Karl Gustav von Baggovut. Supported by the Swedish navy, Swedish troops landed at Lemo hoping to free Åbo (Turku) from the Russians. They got within sight of the city, but Russian counter-attacks and reinforcements drove them back, and they retreated to their ships.
Why it matters
It ended a Swedish attempt to retake Turku, Finland's old capital.
What came next
Vegesack withdrew his forces to the Åland Islands. In 2008 a monument called 'Dying Soldier' was put up near the battlefield.
Did you know?
The general's son spotted an open Russian flank and attacked it, briefly forcing the Russians back.
Timeline
- 19 Jun 1808Swedes land at Lemo.
- 20 Jun 1808Russian counter-attack; Swedes withdraw.
- 2008'Dying Soldier' monument unveiled.