Battle of Breitenfeld (1642)

Not to be confused with Battle of Breitenfeld (1631).
For the Battle of the Nations during the Napoleonic Wars, see Battle of Leipzig.
Second Battle of Breitenfeld
Part of the Thirty Years' War

Contemporary engraving depicting the battle
Date2 November 1642 (N.S.)
Location
Breitenfeld, Saxony (present-day Germany)
Result Swedish victory
Belligerents
Swedish Empire Holy Roman Empire
 Saxony
Commanders and leaders
Lennart Torstensson
Arvid Wittenberg
Erik Slang †
Johan Lilliehöök †
Hans Christoff von Königsmarck		 Archduke Leopold Wilhelm
Ottavio Piccolomini
Annibale Gonzaga
Hans Christoph von Puchheim
Ernst Roland von Suys (POW)
Strength
20,000
10,000 infantry
10,000 cavalry
70 guns		 26,000
10,000 infantry
16,000 cavalry
46 guns
Casualties and losses
4,000
2,000 killed
2,000 wounded		 7,500–10,000
3,000–5,000 dead or wounded
4,500–5,000 captured
46 guns

The Second Battle of Breitenfeld, also known as the First Battle of Leipzig, took place during the Thirty Years' War on 2 November 1642 at Breitenfeld, north-east of Leipzig in Germany. A Swedish Army commanded by Lennart Torstensson defeated an Imperial Army under Archduke Leopold Wilhelm of Austria and his deputy Ottavio Piccolomini.

Victory allowed the Swedes to occupy and establish a secure base in Leipzig, the second most important town in the Electorate of Saxony. Although significantly weakened by the defeat and forced onto the defensive, the Imperial Army prevented them from fully exploiting their victory and kept John George I, Elector of Saxony from making peace with Sweden.

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