A Swedish rearguard action at the Rhine crossing near Strasbourg following the decisive Imperial-Spanish victory at Nördlingen in September 1634.
Key Facts
- Date
- 26–27 September 1634
- War
- Thirty Years' War
- Battle duration
- Three hours
- Preceding defeat
- Battle of Nördlingen, 6 September 1634
- River crossed
- Rhine via Strasbourg bridge
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
After suffering a decisive defeat at the Battle of Nördlingen on 6 September 1634 at the hands of an Imperial-Spanish force, the Swedish army under Otto Louis was forced into retreat. The commander sought to withdraw his forces across the Rhine using the bridge at Strasbourg, creating a vulnerable rearguard situation.
Catholic League forces under Charles IV of Lorraine and Johann von Werth pursued the retreating Swedes, engaging their rearguard at Willstätt before attacking Swedish entrenchments near the bridge at Kehl. A three-hour battle ensued, culminating in close fighting on the bridge itself as the Swedish troops attempted to cross the Rhine.
The Swedish forces successfully completed their retreat into the Free Imperial City of Strasbourg, avoiding destruction or capture despite the pressure exerted by the Catholic League army. The engagement demonstrated the difficulty of conducting an opposed river crossing under pursuit after a major defeat.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Otto Louis.
Side B
1 belligerent
Charles IV of Lorraine, Johann von Werth.