This so-called "Mother of all battles", which saved the European world from ruthless Islamisation and vastly changed the continent's map and geopolitical relations, was to a great degree won thanks to Sobieski's Hussars. Sobieski's name has won more frequent mention in recent years, some observers claiming Europe's present migration crisis resembled the continent's plight during its battles against the Ottoman Empire. In tribute to Sobieski's victories over them, the Ottomans called him the "Lion of Lechistan", with the Pope praising him as the "Savior of Christendom". After beating the Turks, King Jan III Sobieski entered the city in triumph, by doing which he surely humiliated Habsburg Emperor Leopold I, who had earlier absconded for fear of his life. The victory also led to the permanent expulsion of the Ottomans from Central and Southeastern Europe. Sobieski was popular among his subjects and was an able military commander, winning wider fame for his victory over Kara Mustafa's army at the 1683 Battle of Vienna, by doing which the Polish King prevented Islam from deluging Europe. Sobieski took the Polish throne as an experienced fighter against the Ottoman Empire, which enhanced his prowess as monarch, and his 22-year reign marked a relatively peaceful period in the Commonwealth's history. Apart from being regarded as an outstanding ruler of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth (see: NOTE), Jan III Sobieski has been considered one of Europe's most prominent historical figures and warriors. He was the famous King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1674 until his death of cardiac arrest in 1696. His historic 1683 victory over the 200,000-strong Ottoman army in the Battle of Vienna is believed to have not only saved Europe and Christianity, but also helped create the croissant and white coffee. The battle is noted for including the largest known cavalry charge in history.Jan III Sobieski was born in then Poland's Olesko (today's Ukraine) on August 17, 1629. During the 16 years following the battle, the Austrian Habsburgs would gradually influence and conquer southern Hungary and Transylvania, which was largely cleared of Ottoman forces. Some historians maintain that the battle marked a turning point in the Ottoman–Habsburg wars, a 300-year struggle between the Holy Roman and Ottoman Empires. The decisive battle took place on 12 September, after the arrival of the united relief army.
Ottoman forces consisted, among other units, of 60 ortas of Janissaries (12,000 men paper-strength) with an observation army of some 70,000 men watching the countryside. The Ottoman army numbered approximately 90,000 to 300,000 men (according to documents on the order of battle found in Kara Mustafa's tent, initial strength at the start of the campaign was 170,000 men ). The opposing military forces were those of the Ottoman Empire and its vassal states, commanded by Grand Vizier Merzifonlu Kara Mustafa Pasha.
The overall command was held by the senior leader, the king of Poland, John III Sobieski, who led the relief forces. The Viennese garrison was led by Feldzeugmeister of the Imperial Army (Holy Roman Empire) Ernst Rüdiger Graf von Starhemberg, an Austrian subject of Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I. The battle was won by the combined forces of the Holy Roman Empire and the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, the latter represented only by the forces of the Crown of the Kingdom of Poland (the march of the Lithuanian army was delayed, and they reached Vienna after it had been relieved).
– alternative estimatesĬasualties during the siege: 48,544 killed, 25% desertion and unknown number of deaths from diseases Ĭasualties during the battle: ~2-10 -15,000 : 661Ĭasualties during the siege according to Tucker: 20,000 casualties : 661Ĭasualties during the battle: 4,500, : 661
#BATTLE OF VIENNA WINGED HUSSARS PLUS#
– alternative estimatesĭown from initial 120,000 soldiers to 65,000 soldiers with around 60 guns ĭown from 120,000 to 40,000 soldiers (28,400 against relief army and 12,000 against city defenders) ġ1,000 soldiers + 5,000 volunteers Ĥ7,000 Germans and Austrians with some 112 guns ĩ0,000 but some left behind to guard bridges near Tulln and camps, plus 2,000 Imperial cavalry (not included above) left behind the Danube. Ottomans fail to take Vienna, Coalition (later the Holy League) forces invade territories in Hungary and the Balkans under Ottoman ruleġ50,000 as of 10 September 1683, down from 170,000 at the start of the campaign, according to documents on the order of battle found in Kara Mustafa's tent. Coalition of Christians establishes Holy League under Pope Innocent XI to further push back the Ottomans.Ottomans suffer heavy losses and are severely weakened.Vienna, Holy Roman Empire (modern-day Austria)
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