Battle of Strasbourg Bridge

Battle of Strasbourg Bridge
Part of the Thirty Years' War
The Rhine river with Strasbourg in distance during the 17th century, by Wenceslaus Hollar
Date 27/28 September 1634[1][2] Location Kehl, Margraviate of Baden present-day Baden-Württemberg, Germany Result Catholic victory[3][4]
Belligerents
Sweden Heilbronn League	Holy Roman Empire Catholic League
Commanders and leaders
Rheingrave Otto Louis	Charles IV of Lorraine Johann von Werth
Strength
6,000–7,000[2]	3,000 cavalry 1,500–2,000 infantry[5][6]
Casualties and losses
300–2,000[6][5]	Unknown

The Battle of Strasbourg Bridge was fought during the Swedish phase of the Thirty Years' War near the Free city of Strasbourg, in the Holy Roman Empire. Having dealt a heavy defeat on the Swedish army at the Battle of Nördlingen in September, the armies of the Emperor, Spain and the Catholic League overran much of the Swedish-held southern Germany. As a result, the Swedish commander, Rheingrave Otto Louis, decided to retreat over the Rhine with his army, using the Strasbourg bridge.

The vanguard of the Emperor's and the Catholic League's army, led by Duke Charles IV of Lorraine and general Johann von Werth, caught up with Otto's rearguard at Willstätt, where he barely escaped capture. The Imperials then attacked the entrenchments near the Strasbourg bridge in Kehl, as the Swedish army was in the process of crossing the Rhine. The battle lasted for three hours and culminated with fighting on the bridge. In the end, at least 300 Swedes, or possibly 1,500 or more, were killed or captured. The Rheingrave Otto along with most of his forces saved themselves inside Strasbourg.