Talk:Battle of Rathenow

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Strengths and casualties[edit]

Whilst it is good that the figures for strengths and casualties now have a firm reference, we need to be slightly cautious as it is a Swedish source that changes the resulting strengths from 700/1000 (Sweden/Brandenburg) in the (unsourced) German Wiki article to 500/1500-2000 based on Silfverstolpe i.e. from an evenly matched contest to one where the Swedes were greatly outnumbered. There is a tendency in historical reports for each side to overplay the enemy's strength and underplay their own, especially if they are defeated. That may not be the case here, nevertheless, it would be good to balance this up with other sources if possible. --Bermicourt (talk) 11:28, 6 April 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Well, in Sweden this episode is described as them being heavily outnumbered and surprised. As for the 500 Swedes, Bernt Wangelin actually patterned his troops on June 13, two days before the battle, and had 500 men (the number used in almost all Swedish literature) whereof 60 men were sick, so this should be closer to the truth in comparison to 700. The 200 killed Swedes is also his own report (28 officers and 162 privates), while a number of 390 killed and 270 captured would, obviously be impossible. Regarding Brandenburg troops, the book actually claims there were about 2,000 men (800 under Götze, 600 under Canolski and 8 companies of dragoons, about 600 men under Ückerman) all attacking from different positions. However, I also judged by the Brandeburg numbers which stated 600 men under Götze, 300 under Canolski and then 8 companies which again lands near 600 men (or is there different numbers regarding these dragoons in German sources?), so in all 1,500 men, therefore, 1,500 (Brandenburg source)-2,000 (Swedish source). The 100 men killed and wounded with 4 officers, is also Brandenburg sources Wangelin was provided with after the battle. I think Frederick L. z. Hesse's letter regarding losses of 40-50 men should be killed and not killed and wounded, so in all it probably landed close to 100 killed and wounded. After all, Swedish sources mentioned heavy casualties for the Brandenburg army. Imonoz (talk) 13:26, 6 April 2014 (UTC)[reply]