Friday, 30 May 2014

Raid at Laube 1706

It was early morning, the 3rd of February 1706. The same day the battle of Fraustadt would take place. The camp of Swedish Adelsfanan's Cavalry is about to get raided.






5 o'clock in the morning, the area around the village Laube was quiet and calm. The Swedish cavalry regiment of Adelsfanan has its camp and baggage train in Laube. Some camp followers had recently woke up preparing for the duties of the day. Suddenly the silence was interrupted by the sound of incoming horses. Out of the darkness came some houndred dragoons from Flemmings Dragoon Regiment under command of Lieutenant Colonel Alexander von Unruh. The dragoons charged the camp and plundered and killed, trying to gather as much as possible for lot. The chaos and panic spread around the Swedish camp, the surprise was total. Several of the camp followers were killed and wounded since their little resistance was futile. 

Pretty soon the dragoons had left the area and ride back in to the darkness. The dragoons had captured a dozen of horses, about ten wagons with tents, cauldrons, cloths and tools. Some camp followers and a sick rider was taken as prisoners. 

After the raid, von Unruh reported to Sculenburg and exaggerated the event as much as possible for his own benefit. After Schulenburg received the report he ensured with that the raid truly was "a great success".

Because of this event, Schulenburg was convinced that the retreat of the entire Swedish army earlier was true. Due to the fact that Adelsfanan abandoned the baggage train so quickly, Schulenburg thought that it was very important to continue the hunt for Rehnskiöld's army. Though this was exactly what Rehnskiöld wanted. 

Though there's a problem, Rehnskiöld said after the event that it all was planned by him. Today, we really don't know. If it was true he sure was a extremely great tactician. As I said, we don't know and it does not matter, even though it was a work by Rehnskiöld or not it helped Schulenburg to be more convinced that Swedish army was in full retreat. The retreat, that was a ruse of war.
  

Source: O.Sjöström Fraustadt 1706-Ett fält färgat rött, 2009 p147, 150, 151


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