Chapter 5

7th December, 1702 – The Gateway to Sweden

The sparkling waters of the Oresund are indeed a sight to see. All around me are hundreds of tents and a bee-house of activity as more than 18,000 troops go about their daily business – patrolling, doing drills, cooking, repairing their uniforms and weapons as well as visiting the central supply dumps to replenish stores.

To the south lie the whitewashed buildings of Malmo – the only proper trade port that Sweden has. This is one of the busiest trade ports in the Baltic and one can see dozens of trade ships docked in the port, their sails waving gently in the breeze.

Also docked in the port are the Swedish warships – the 5th Rate frigate Charlotte and the 6th Rate Tapperheten. Their proud hulls are distinctive with the blue mark of the Swedish Navy and their decks bristle with many cannons. However, if one were to go near them, they would see the large holes in the sides, signs of the fierce fight they had been involved in just a few days ago.

The Oresund is the narrow body of water between Sweden and Denmark – the place where both the nations are closest together. All Swedish overseas trade routes pass through this strait and its proximity to the Danish capital of Copenhagen made it an even more important strategic asset. Also, the strait is so narrow, that forces from Denmark can easily cross over into Sweden and vice versa, using the dozens of small barges and ferries in the region.

At the start of the war, while we marched through Norway, the Danish were mobilising in the south. A professional Danish army of more than 12,000 troops prepared to cross the Oresund into Sweden, while the small but deadly Danish fleet moved in to blockade the port of Malmo. Hundreds of Swedish Line Infantry troops from Stockholm rushed to defend the coast, but they were seriously outnumbered. The only thing standing between Sweden and a full scale Danish invasion was the Swedish fleet, led by Admiral Emanuel Jonassen.

On 21st November, 1701, the Danish fleet led by the famous Admiral Johan Lindgren launched an attack on the Swedish fleet. Luckily, a small Prussian fleet, consisting of 2 brigs and 1 sloop was patrolling nearby and rushed in to intercept the Danish. The Danish were outnumbered 4 ships to 7, but their navy was far better trained and in the last few decades had never ever lost a naval battle to Sweden.

<The Swedish fleet approaches>

I am happy to say that the battle was a very important victory for Sweden! The Danish fleet first engaged the Prussians and in short order sunk their smaller ships with a withering crossfire. Only two of the Danish ships were damaged in the process. However, the brave sacrifice of the Prussians had allowed the Swedish fleet (consisting of the 2 frigates, 1 sloop and 1 brig) to close in within firing range without being engaged.

<RSN Charlotte charges the Danish fleet>

<The Swedish and Danish flagships exchanging broadsides>

<A Danish ship under attack from the Charlotte & Tapperheten>

<The loss of the Danska Orn>

Under the brave leadership of the good Admiral Jonassen, who charged in with his flagship, the Charlotte, firing a broadside at the damaged Danish 6th Rate, the Swedish ships joined the fight and the real battle began. Ships wheeled and turned, unleashing broadsides and then turning away to avoid incoming fire. In the end, we lost the RSN Islandsfahrere and Danska Orn, but the Danish lost almost all their ships. Only the flagship survived and managed to make a run for it.

The captured Danish Indiaman & 6th Rate were handed over to the Prussian fleet. This was not only a gesture of goodwill to thank them for their help, but also a pragmatic decision as the Swedish government did not have the funds to repair and maintain these ships (the entire focus was on building up the army). Just a few months later the flagship of the Danish fleet was tracked down in the Baltic near the city of Abo, Finland and sunk in a short battle. Sweden and Prussia now together ruled the Baltic and intercepted Danish Trade ships at will!

In the meantime, after leaving the 2 Militia regiments to maintain order in Christiania, we and the rest of the 1st Army had marched south to meet up with the force defending Malmo. And so here we wait for more reinforcements from Stockholm, to build up an army powerful enough to launch the invasion of Denmark over the Oresund.

As for me, I have been transferred to the 19th Regiment of Foot, Line Infantry. While camping near the southern road, enroute to Malmo, some of the troopers of the 19th took the opportunity and deserted at the dead of night. They were soon hunted down and executed, and their Commanding Officer Colonel Fredrick asked for reinforcements. He specially wanted veterans, who had already been in the Battle of Norway, and due to his high connections in the War Council, his request was granted. Colonel Hansson was apoplectic when he got the order, but then he didn’t really have a choice.

So here I am, in a brand new regiment, whose image has already been tarnished by the desertions. I know this is a part and parcel of life in the military, but I had got used to my old regiment. Ah well, I am sure I will find friends here too. It will take time though.

Have to go now. More later.