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BATTLE // August 17, 1808

Battle of Alavus

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Source · Wikipedia

Significance

The Battle of Alavus on 17 August 1808 saw the Finnish army under General Carl Johan Adlercreutz defeat a smaller Russian force of roughly 2,400 men, inflicting between 200 and 314 casualties and driving the Russians southward. The engagement concluded a series of Swedish successes during the summer of 1808 and marked the turning point of the Finnish War. After this battle, Swedish fortunes in the conflict reversed, making Alavus both the high-water mark of Swedish operational momentum and the threshold beyond which Russia reasserted control over the campaign.

Forces & casualties

Troop strength

  • Sweden3,850
    medium
  • Russian Empire2,400
    medium

Sweden fielded a 1.6 : 1 numerical advantage

Casualties

  • Российская империя200–314
    medium

Commanders (1)

Sweden

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6 sibling battles · 1 factions

Last verified June 2026
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