Breitenfeld, Battle of

In the Thirty Years' War, victory of a joint Swedish-Saxon force under King Gustavus Adolphus over Imperial forces under Count Tilly 17 September 1631 at Breitenfeld, about 10 km/6 mi from Leipzig. While Gustavus was negotiating alliances with Brandenburg and Saxony, Tilly sacked Magdeburg, which he had promised to relieve. The Swedes were joined by the Saxons and Tilly driven back.

The battle began with an artillery duel, followed by an Imperial cavalry charge which was intended to turn the Swedish right flank. The Swedes advanced to meet the charge and were able to drive off the attack. On the other flank the Saxons were driven off in disorder, exposing the Swedish left flank, which was immediately attacked by Tilly's infantry. A desperate struggle followed, but once the cavalry charge had been disposed of, the Swedes from the left flank advanced to the positions vacated by Tilly's advancing troops, captured their guns, and began firing them into the rear of the Imperial advance. This caused the advancing troops to break and Tilly's force was soon in full retreat.