Battle of Matrand
| date | August 5, 1814 |
|---|---|
| place | Matrand ( Eidskog municipality ) |
| output | Norwegian defensive success |
| Peace treaty | Moss Convention |
| Parties to the conflict | |
|---|---|
| Commander | |
| losses | |
|
50 dead |
50 dead |
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Hvaler , Fredrikstad , Lier , Matrand, Kjölbergs , Langnes
The Battle of Matrand took place on August 5, 1814 between Norwegian and Swedish troops. With around 100 dead, it is considered the bloodiest clash between the opponents of this war.
prehistory
Major General Karl Pontus Gahn had crossed the border into Norway on July 31st and marched on Kongsvinger , where he was stopped at Lier on August 2nd by the troops of Lieutenant Colonel Krebs. He then had to retire to Eidskog . On August 4th, Krebs advanced from Lier against the Swedish troops.
The battle
The Swedish outposts were driven back to Matrand in the early morning of August 5th, where their main force was encamped. The Swedish associations were able to resist for a while, but finally had to retreat to Skotterud to avoid being encircled. A Norwegian column of around 1,100 men had made a long detour about five kilometers south of Matrand to stab the Swedes in the back. She attacked them at Skotterud. The retreating Swedish troops came under fire from two sides without sufficient ammunition stocks. Gahn realized that he had to break through the Norwegian lines with his units in order to escape captivity. This also succeeded, as a result of which the Swedish troops, without ammunition and armed only with bayonets, were able to escape towards Sweden. Gahn lost 17 officers and 7 NCOs .
literature
- Per Erik Rastad: Kongsvinger festnings historie. Krigsårene 1807-1814. Kongsvinger 1982.