|
Command |
General |
||||
|
Right Wing |
Cordoba |
||||
|
Unit Type |
Tactic |
Grade |
No. of Units |
Strength |
Weapon |
|
Spanish Infantry |
Tercio |
Veteran |
1 |
14 |
p/S |
|
German Infantry |
Tercio |
Regular |
2 |
12 & 14 |
p/S |
|
German Cuirassier |
Caracole |
Regular |
2 |
4 |
S |
|
German Cuirassier |
Caracole |
Conscript |
1 |
4 |
S |
|
German arquebusiers |
Caracole |
Conscript |
1 |
4 |
S |
|
Demiculverin |
Artillery |
Regular |
1 |
4 |
S |
|
Command |
General |
||||
|
Left Wing |
Tilly |
||||
|
Unit Type |
Tactic |
Grade |
No. of Units |
Strength |
Weapon |
|
Bavarian Infantry |
Tercio |
Veteran |
2 |
18 |
P/s |
|
German Infantry |
Tercio |
Regular |
4 |
10,12,14,14 |
P/s |
|
German Cuirassier |
Caracole |
Veteran |
3 |
4 |
S |
|
German Cuirassier |
Caracole |
Regular |
1 |
4 |
S |
|
German Horse |
Caracole |
Regular |
1 |
4 |
S |
|
German Arquebusier |
Caracole |
Conscript |
2 |
4 |
S |
|
Croats |
Skirmish |
Regular |
1 |
4 |
S |
|
Demiculverin |
Artillery |
Regular |
1 |
4 |
S |
|
Falcon |
Artillery |
Regular |
1 |
4 |
S |
|
Command |
General |
|||||
|
|
Margrave of Baden |
|||||
|
Unit Type |
Tactic |
Grade |
No. of Units |
Strength |
Weapon |
|
|
Life Guard Foot (Det) |
Regiment |
Guard |
1 |
2 |
S |
|
|
Baden Infantry |
Regiment |
Conscript |
5 |
16,16,20,20, 20 |
P/S |
|
|
Musketeers (Det) |
Regiment |
Regular |
10 |
3 |
S |
|
|
Life Guard Horse (Det) |
Trotter |
Veteran |
1 |
2 |
S |
|
|
Baden Horse |
Trotter |
Regular |
4 |
4,4,7,9 |
S |
|
|
Baden Horse |
Trotter |
Conscript |
2 |
4,5 |
S |
|
|
Cannon |
Artillery |
Regular |
1 |
4 |
S |
|
|
Demicannon |
Artillery |
Regular |
2 |
4 |
S |
|
|
Falcon |
Artillery |
Regular |
1 |
4 |
S |
|
|
Battle Wagon |
Artillery |
Regular |
8 |
4 |
S |
|
May 6, 1622
The Battle
Objective : Baden considered his army to be in a strong defensive position with his flanks protected by the woods on one side and the village on the other and with his war-wagons deployed in a semi-circle with the left flank resting on the village of Biberach. Baden hoped that this defensive position would rebel the attackers or even inflict a decisive defeat with a well-timed counter-attack. The Catholics aimed to drive through Baden’s defences and gain the river crossings.
Outcome : After the initial artillery duel, the Catholics advanced to about 100 metres but fell back under a hail of musket and artillery fire. The battle recommenced in the afternoon when Cordoba’s Spanish troops occupied the light woods on Baden’s flank and beat off several attacks attempting to dislodge them. Baden managed to organise his cavalry into a counter-attack that swept much of the Catholic horse from the field. Eventually Baden’s charge ran out of steam and Tilly’s reorganised cavalry reapplied the pressure in a series of attacks that pushed back Baden’s exhausted troops. The Catholic attack on the wagon burg proceeded with great loss to the attackers, but a lucky shot caused a critical ammunition explosion that blew a hole in Baden’s defences. The fighting eventually finished at 9:00 after Baden’s remaining units surrendered.