Battle of Schleswig

Significance

The Battle of Schleswig, fought near the Danevirke on Easter morning in 1848, was the second engagement of the First Schleswig War. The conflict arose from the disputed status of the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein, pitting Danish forces under Frederik Læssøe against Prussian forces commanded by Friedrich von Wrangel. With Danish strength at 18,000 and Prussian forces numbering between 12,000 and 18,000, the engagement represented a significant early test of arms in a war that would draw in both German and Scandinavian powers and shape the political fate of the duchies for years to come. As only the second battle of the war, it occurred at a moment when the conflict's outcome remained entirely open.

Forces & casualties

Commanders (2)