#Battle of vienna polish hussars plus

Polish Winged Hussars like these helped stop the Ottoman advance into Europe in September 1683.ĭuring the decades leading up to the 1683 Battle of Vienna, the Islamic Ottoman Empire had gradually been eroding Christian power in southeastern Europe. In both cases, Poland proved to be central in deciding Europe’s fate, a centrality that is all-too-often overlooked in studies of European and global history. Two significant, yet contrasting, events occurred during this month in Polish history: the 1683 victory at Vienna, which halted the Ottoman Empire’s advance into Europe and the 1939 conquest by Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia. The battle is noted for including the largest known cavalry charge in history.September is a very important month for Poland and all people with a Polish background.

During the 16 years following the battle, the Austrian Habsburgs would gradually influence and conquer southern Hungary and Transylvania, which was largely cleared of Ottoman forces. Some historians maintain that the battle marked a turning point in the Ottoman–Habsburg wars, a 300-year struggle between the Holy Roman and Ottoman Empires. The decisive battle took place on 12 September, after the arrival of the united relief army. Ottoman forces consisted, among other units, of 60 ortas of Janissaries (12,000 men paper-strength) with an observation army of some 70,000 men watching the countryside. The Ottoman army numbered approximately 90,000 to 300,000 men (according to documents on the order of battle found in Kara Mustafa's tent, initial strength at the start of the campaign was 170,000 men ). The opposing military forces were those of the Ottoman Empire and its vassal states, commanded by Grand Vizier Merzifonlu Kara Mustafa Pasha. The overall command was held by the senior leader, the king of Poland, John III Sobieski, who led the relief forces. The Viennese garrison was led by Feldzeugmeister of the Imperial Army (Holy Roman Empire) Ernst Rüdiger Graf von Starhemberg, an Austrian subject of Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I. The battle was won by the combined forces of the Holy Roman Empire and the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, the latter represented only by the forces of the Crown of the Kingdom of Poland (the march of the Lithuanian army was delayed, and they reached Vienna after it had been relieved). – alternative estimatesĬasualties during the siege: 48,544 killed, 25% desertion and unknown number of deaths from diseases Ĭasualties during the battle: ~2-10 -15,000 : 661Ĭasualties during the siege according to Tucker: 20,000 casualties : 661Ĭasualties during the battle: 4,500, : 661

#Battle of vienna polish hussars plus

– alternative estimatesĭown from initial 120,000 soldiers to 65,000 soldiers with around 60 guns ĭown from 120,000 to 40,000 soldiers (28,400 against relief army and 12,000 against city defenders) ġ1,000 soldiers + 5,000 volunteers Ĥ7,000 Germans and Austrians with some 112 guns ĩ0,000 but some left behind to guard bridges near Tulln and camps, plus 2,000 Imperial cavalry (not included above) left behind the Danube. Ottomans fail to take Vienna, Coalition (later the Holy League) forces invade territories in Hungary and the Balkans under Ottoman ruleġ50,000 as of 10 September 1683, down from 170,000 at the start of the campaign, according to documents on the order of battle found in Kara Mustafa's tent.

Coalition of Christians establishes Holy League under Pope Innocent XI to further push back the Ottomans.

Ottomans suffer heavy losses and are severely weakened.

Vienna, Holy Roman Empire (modern-day Austria)