January 1679. Very lively series with 9 large groups (sledges). This action of the Great Elector of Brandenburg was the final chord of the Brandenburg-Swedish War (1674-1679) after the drumbeats of Fehrbellin and Rügen. When a 16,000-strong Swedish army entered Prussia north of Memel in November 1678, the Great Elector confronted the enemy with 14,000 men despite the winter, forced the Swedes to retreat and routed them in a multitude of small engagements in vigorous pursuit. Only 3,000 Swedes reached Riga. The conquests made in this war could not be maintained by the Great Elector in the peace of 1679, as France placed itself protectively before its ally. But little Brandenburg had defied two of the top-ranking military powers in Europe at the time. Our series shows the most famous action in pursuit of the enemy: the crossing of the frozen Curonian Lagoon in freezing cold using horse-drawn sleighs. The sledges carry Brandenburg infantry and also artillery. Brandenburg dragoons ride alongside the sledges. "Such a sledge party of a whole army with flags and music across the ice" had an operetta-like touch, but was a surprise for the enemy. See also "Wikipedia": Hunt across the Curonian Lagoon
Group
Flat Figure(s)
Condition
unpainted
Scale
Size 30 mm
Material
Pewter-Alloy 55%Sn 39%Pb 6%Sb
Parts
42 parts
Zeit von
17th Century
Time
17th Century
Nationality/Location
Prussia
State
Second Hand
Not a toy! Not suitable for children under the age of 14!
