BATTLE // May 15, 1809
Battle of Skellefteå
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Source · Wikipedia
Significance
At Skellefteå, a Russian force of 6,000 under Pavel Andreyevich Shuvalov engaged 700 Swedes under Johan Henrik Furumark in a contest decided less by force of arms than by limited Swedish objectives. The Swedish detachment was not holding ground for its own sake but conducting a deliberate delaying action to cover the withdrawal of their provisions. In that narrow sense the action succeeded: most provisions were saved. The engagement nonetheless ended in the capture of the Swedish force, eliminating Furumark's command and leaving the Russians in control of the field. Within the broader Finnish War, the action reflects the pattern of Swedish rearguard resistance along the northern Swedish coast as Russian forces pressed the campaign onto Swedish soil in 1809.
Tactics
The Swedes under Furumark fought a delaying action to hold the Russians long enough for their provisions to be escorted to safety. The Russians under Shuvalov, enjoying an overwhelming numerical advantage of roughly eight to one, executed a flanking movement that cut off the Swedish line of retreat. The delay achieved its logistical purpose — most provisions were saved — but the Swedish force was encircled and captured as a result of the Russian envelopment.
Forces & casualties
Troop strength
- Russian Empire6,000medium
Commanders (2)
Russian Empire
Sweden
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6 sibling battles · 1 factions