Battle of Warka

Part of the Second Northern War and The Deluge

Battle of Warka 1656 by Franciszek Smuglewicz (1745-1807)

Date	April 7, 1656
Location	Warka
Result	Decisive Polish victory

Belligerents

Swedish Empire

Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth

Commanders and leaders

Frederick VI, Margrave of Baden-Durlach

Stefan Czarniecki

Strength

2,500

Around 7,500

Casualties and losses

1,500 dead or wounded
260 captured

100 dead
100 wounded

The Battle of Warka on April 7, 1656 between forces of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth commanded by Stefan Czarniecki on one side, and on the other Swedish forces commanded by Frederick VI, Margrave of Baden-Durlach. Battle was fought for about two hours, ending in Polish victory. It was first Polish success in the open field since Swedish invasion of Poland in early summer 1655 (see Swedish invasion of Poland). The Polish forces won the battle.

After the Battle of Jaroslaw, which took place on March 15, 1656, Swedish forces under king Charles X Gustav found themselves in a difficult situation. They needed reinforcements, so on March 16, the king ordered his brother, Adolph John, to send the army of Frederick VI, Margrave of Baden-Durlach, which was stationed in Warsaw.

In the second half of March 1656, the margrave left Warsaw, with 2,500 reiters and dragoons. His mission was to relieve main Swedish army, together with the king himself, which was trapped and surrounded by Poles and Lithuanians in the confluence of the Vistula and San rivers. The margrave and his soldiers had to cross the dense Kozienice Wilderness, where Swedish units were constantly attacked by Polish guerillas. After a few days, Frederick VI received a message from Charles Gustav, ordering him to return to Warsaw. The Swedish king realized that main Polish forces, which had trapped him in the area of Gorzyce, headed northwards, to face Frederick. Polish hetmans Jerzy Lubomirski and Stefan Czarniecki were no longer in the area, which gave Charles Gustav a chance to escape the trap.

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Wikipedia