Battle of Rain

Battle of Rain
Part of the Thirty Years' War

Battle of Rain (engraving)
Date15 April (N.S.), 1632
Location
Rain, Swabia, Bavaria
48°40′39″N 10°54′45″E / 48.6775°N 10.9125°E / 48.6775; 10.9125
Result Swedish victory
Belligerents
Sweden
Saxe-Weimar		  Holy Roman Empire
Catholic League
Commanders and leaders
Strength
c. 37,500 men, 72 guns [1] c. 22,000 men, 20 guns[1]
Casualties and losses
2,000 killed or wounded 2,000 killed or wounded
1,000 captured

The Battle of Rain[a] took place on 15 April 1632 near Rain in Bavaria during the Thirty Years' War. It was fought by a Swedish army under Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, and a Catholic League force led by Johann Tserclaes, Count of Tilly. The battle resulted in a Swedish victory, while Tilly was severely wounded and later died of his injuries.

Outnumbered and with many inexperienced troops, Tilly built defensive works along the River Lech, centred on the town of Rain, hoping to delay Gustavus long enough for Imperial reinforcements under Albrecht von Wallenstein to reach him. On 14 April, the Swedes bombarded the defences with artillery, then crossed the river the next day, inflicting nearly 3,000 casualties, including Tilly. On 16th, Maximilian of Bavaria ordered a retreat, abandoning his supplies and guns.

Despite this victory, the Swedes had been drawn away from their bases in Northern Germany and when Maximilian linked up with Wallenstein found themselves besieged in Nuremberg. This led to the largest battle of the war on 3 September, when an assault on the Imperial camp outside the town was bloodily repulsed.

  1. ^ a b Guthrie 2001, p. 166.


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