A minor engagement of the Dano-Swedish War in which Norwegian forces captured most of a Swedish detachment, though Swedish retaliation four days later reversed the outcome.
Key Facts
- Date
- 10 June 1808
- War
- Dano-Swedish War of 1808–09
- Swedish retaliation date
- 14 June 1808
- Swedish commander
- von Knorring (acting)
- Norwegian offensive ordered by
- Christian August
- Norwegian attack leader
- Arild Huitfeldt
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Following a Swedish retreat out of Norway, a small Swedish detachment remained at Prestebakke and Berby. Christian August judged this a vulnerability and ordered a Norwegian offensive to expel the remaining Swedish forces from Norwegian territory.
On 10 June 1808, Norwegian forces under Arild Huitfeldt launched a surprise attack on the Swedish detachment at Prestebakke. The Swedish acting commander, von Knorring, was caught completely off guard, and the majority of his forces were captured. Georg Adlersparre held overall Swedish command but was absent from the engagement.
Despite the Norwegian tactical success, the battle produced no lasting strategic effect. Swedish forces retaliated on 14 June 1808, retaking Prestebakke and Berby and reversing all territorial gains made by the Norwegian attack just four days earlier.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
von Knorring (acting), Georg Adlersparre (overall, absent).
Side B
1 belligerent
Arild Huitfeldt, Christian August (ordered offensive).