# 6
Den Første Danske - Preussiske Krig
The First Danish - Prussian War
Danish soldiers return to Copenhagen, 1849, by Otto Bache (1839–1927), 1894
The First Schleswig War (German: Schleswig-Holsteinischer Krieg) or Three Years' War (Danish: Treårskrigen)
was the first round of military conflict in southern Denmark and northern Germany rooted in the Schleswig-Holstein Question, contesting the issue of who should control the Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein.
The war, which lasted from 1848–1851, also involved troops from Prussia and Sweden. Ultimately, the war resulted in a Danish victory.
A second conflict, the Second Schleswig War, erupted in 1864.
was a King of the Kingdom of Denmark. He reigned from January 20, 1848 until his death, November 15, 1863. He was the last Danish monarch of the older Royal branch of the House of Oldenburg and also the last king of Denmark to rule as an absolute monarch.
During his reign, he signed a constitution that established a Danish parliament and made the country a constitutional monarchy.
The Battle of Schleswig
occurred near Dannevirke ( Schleswig, Busdorf) on Easter morning, April 23, 1848 as the second battle of the First Schleswig War of 1848-1850.
Prussia had just entered the war and had sent almost 12,000 troops to Schleswig-Holstein.
Counting reserves, General Wrangel commanded in total more than 18,000 men – almost three times the size of the Danish forces.
The German Reich troops did not participate in the battle, but their presence forced the Danes to fight defensively against the Prussians.
Result: Prussian Victory
Commanders and Leaders:
Colonel Frederik Laessoe vs. Fredrich von Wrangel
Strength: 6000 soldiers vs 12,000-18,000 soldiers
Casualties and losses:
Dead 170 vs. 41
Wounded 463 vs. 366
Unwounded captured 358 vs. 54
Olaf Rye
was a Norwegian-Danish military officer. He served as a major-general and played a decisive role in the 1849 Battle of Fredericia which broke the Schleswig-Holstein siege of the town.
He died during this battle and is considered a Danish war hero.
He is buried at the military Garrison Cemetery in Copenhagen.
His brother Johan Henrik Rye was a civil servant and politician in Norway.
Olaf is also the first known ski jumper. In 1809, he launched himself 9.5 metres in the air in front of an audience of other soldiers.
F. A. Schleppegrell at Isted
Friderich Adolph von Schleppegrell
He was born in Brunlanes.
He became a military officer in 1807, and took part in the Gunboat War for Denmark-Norway. When Norway became independent of Denmark, only to enter a personal union with Sweden in November 1814, Schleppegrell changed his allegiance to Denmark.
By 1848 he had been promoted to Major General.
The same year, the First Schleswig War broke out. Schleppegrell excelled in the battles of Nybøl, Dybbøl and Fredericia, but fell on 25 July 1850 following the battle of Isted.
He was buried in Flensborg. The memorial Isted Lion is partly dedicated to Schleppegrell.
Claude du Plat
Peter Henrik Claude du Plat
was a royal Danish Major General Commandant.
Friedrich Heinrich Ernst Graf von Wrangel
was a Generalfeldmarschall of the Prussian Army.
He was nicknamed Papa Wrangel and a member of the Baltic German noble family of Wrangel.
In 1848 Wrangel commanded the II Corps of the army of the German Confederation in the First Schleswig War, was promoted to General of Cavalry, and won several confrontations.
However, the other European powers pressured Prussia to withdraw its forces, and King Frederick William IV accordingly ordered Wrangel to withdraw his troops from the duchies.
Wrangel refused, asserting that he was under the command not of the king of Prussia but of the regent of Germany.
He proposed that, at the very least, any treaty concluded should be presented for ratification to the Frankfurt Parliament, dominated by the Liberals - giving Liberals the rather mistaken idea that Wrangel was on their side.
However, the Danes rejected this proposal and negotiations were broken off, and after painful hesitation, Prussia signed a convention at Malmö which yielded to practically all the Danish demands on 26 August 1848.
Redoubt I , memorial for 2 officers Redoubt I, Memorial for 2 officers Redoubt I, Memorial for an officer fallen
QUESTION
Did you find that after all the battles, there were relatively few casualties?
http://www.donaldbrittonconrad.com/
Danish soldiers return to Copenhagen, 1849, by Otto Bache (1839–1927), 1894
The First Schleswig War (German: Schleswig-Holsteinischer Krieg) or Three Years' War (Danish: Treårskrigen)
was the first round of military conflict in southern Denmark and northern Germany rooted in the Schleswig-Holstein Question, contesting the issue of who should control the Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein.
The war, which lasted from 1848–1851, also involved troops from Prussia and Sweden. Ultimately, the war resulted in a Danish victory.
A second conflict, the Second Schleswig War, erupted in 1864.
Date March 24, 1848-1851
Location Schleswig/Jutland
Result Danish Victory - London Protocol
Territorial Denmark retains control of Schleswig-Holstein
Changes
Belligerents
Prussia, Duchy of Schleswig, Duchy of Holstein, German Confederation
vs.
Denmark
First War of Schleswig
In March 1848 these differences led to an open uprising by the German-minded Estate assemblies in the duchies in support of independence from Denmark and of close association with the German Confederation.
The military intervention of Prussia helped the uprising: the Prussian army drove Denmark's troops from Schleswig and Holstein.
The military intervention of Prussia helped the uprising: the Prussian army drove Denmark's troops from Schleswig and Holstein.
Frederick VII, who had succeeded his father at the end of January, declared (March 4) that he had no right to deal in this way with Schleswig, and, yielding to the importunity of the Eider-Danish party, withdrew the rescript of January (April 4) and announced to the people of Schleswig (March 27) the promulgation of a liberal constitution under which the duchy, while preserving its local autonomy, would become an integral part of Denmark.
A Liberal constitution for Holstein was not seriously considered in Copenhagen since it was a well-known fact that the German political elite of Holstein was far more conservative than the one in Copenhagen.
This proved to be true, as the politicians of Holstein demanded that the Constitution of Denmark be scrapped, not only in Schleswig but also in Denmark, as well as demanding that Schleswig immediately follow Holstein and become a member of the German Confederation and eventually a part of the new united Germany.
This proved to be true, as the politicians of Holstein demanded that the Constitution of Denmark be scrapped, not only in Schleswig but also in Denmark, as well as demanding that Schleswig immediately follow Holstein and become a member of the German Confederation and eventually a part of the new united Germany.
The rebels established a provisional government at Kiel; and the duke of Augustenburg had hurried to Berlin to secure the assistance of Prussia in asserting around 1848 his rights.
This was at the very crisis of the revolution in Berlin, and the Prussian government saw in the proposed intervention in Denmark in a popular cause an excellent opportunity for restoring its damaged prestige. Prussian troops were accordingly marched into Holstein.
This was at the very crisis of the revolution in Berlin, and the Prussian government saw in the proposed intervention in Denmark in a popular cause an excellent opportunity for restoring its damaged prestige. Prussian troops were accordingly marched into Holstein.
This war between Denmark on the one hand and the two duchies and Prussia on the other lasted three years (1848–1850) and only ended when the Great Powers pressured Prussia into accepting the London Convention of 1852. Under the terms of this peace agreement, the German Confederation returned the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein to Denmark. In an agreement with Prussia under the London Protocol of 1852, the Danish government in return undertook not to tie Schleswig more closely to Denmark than to the duchy of Holstein.
In 1848 King Frederick VII of Denmark declared that he would grant Denmark a Liberal Constitution and the immediate goal for the Danish national movement was to secure that this Constitution would not only give rights to all Danes, that is, not only to the Kingdom of Denmark, but also to Danes (and Germans) living in Schleswig. Furthermore, they demanded the protection of the Danish language in Schleswig since the dominating language in almost a quarter of Schleswig had changed from Danish to German since the beginning of the nineteenth century.
Nationalist circles in Denmark advocated Danification of Schleswig (but not of Holstein) as Danish national culture had risen much in past decades.
Accordingly, the duchies of Schleswig (a Danish fief) and Holstein, and Lauenburg (sovereign states within the German Confederation) were joined by personal union with the King of Denmark.
For this purpose, the line of succession to the duchies was modified, because Frederick VII of Denmark remained childless and hence a change in dynasty was in order. (The originally conflicting protocols of succession between the duchies and Denmark would have stipulated that, contrary to the treaty, the duchies of Holstein and Lauenburg would have had heads of state other than the King of Denmark.)
Further, it was affirmed that the duchies were to remain as independent entities, and that Schleswig would have no greater constitutional affinity to Denmark than Holstein.
This settlement did not resolve the issue, and only fifteen years passed before the Second Schleswig War in 1864 resulted in the incorporation of both duchies into the German Confederation, and later, in 1871, into the German Empire.
1st Schleswig war (1848 – 50):
The War where the Navy again became the Leading Light - and the Ray of Comfort - for Denmark
The Danish fleet managed to keep a total blockade of the north German coastal harbors. Apart from the Eckernförde catastrophic affair the navy went from victory to victory.
It also became the war with Danish paddle steamers for the first time playing a decisive role. Not just as warships, but also ferrying army troops between the different battle sites. Thus giving the army a high degree of mobility.
1852
- 28 January: A royal letter announced the institution of a unitary state which, while maintaining the fundamental constitution of Denmark, would increase the parliamentary powers of the estates of the two duchies. This proclamation was approved by Prussia and Austria, and by the German confederal diet insofar as it affected Holstein and Lauenburg. The question of the Augustenborg succession made an agreement between the powers impossible.
- 31 March: The Duke of Augustenborg resigned his claim in return for a money payment. Further adjustments followed.
- 8 May: another London Protocol was signed. The international treaty that became known as the "London Protocol" was the revision of the earlier protocol, which had been ratified on August 2, 1850, by the major Germanic powers of Austria and Prussia. The second, actual London Protocol was recognized by the five major European powers (the Austrian Empire, the Second French Republic, the Kingdom of Prussia, the Russian Empire, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland), as well as the two major Baltic Sea powers of Denmark and Sweden.
Accordingly, the duchies of Schleswig (a Danish fief) and Holstein, and Lauenburg (sovereign states within the German Confederation) were joined by personal union with the King of Denmark.
For this purpose, the line of succession to the duchies was modified, because Frederick VII of Denmark remained childless and hence a change in dynasty was in order. (The originally conflicting protocols of succession between the duchies and Denmark would have stipulated that, contrary to the treaty, the duchies of Holstein and Lauenburg would have had heads of state other than the King of Denmark.)
Further, it was affirmed that the duchies were to remain as independent entities, and that Schleswig would have no greater constitutional affinity to Denmark than Holstein.
This settlement did not resolve the issue, and only fifteen years passed before the Second Schleswig War in 1864 resulted in the incorporation of both duchies into the German Confederation, and later, in 1871, into the German Empire.
Portrait of Frederick VII
Painting by August Schiøtt, 1848-63
Painting by August Schiøtt, 1848-63
Frederick VII
(Frederik Carl Christian) (6 October 1808 – 15 November 1863)
was a King of the Kingdom of Denmark. He reigned from January 20, 1848 until his death, November 15, 1863. He was the last Danish monarch of the older Royal branch of the House of Oldenburg and also the last king of Denmark to rule as an absolute monarch.
During his reign, he signed a constitution that established a Danish parliament and made the country a constitutional monarchy.
The Battle of Schleswig
Prussia had just entered the war and had sent almost 12,000 troops to Schleswig-Holstein.
Counting reserves, General Wrangel commanded in total more than 18,000 men – almost three times the size of the Danish forces.
The German Reich troops did not participate in the battle, but their presence forced the Danes to fight defensively against the Prussians.
Result: Prussian Victory
Belligerants
Denmark vs. Prussia, Duchy of SchleswigCommanders and Leaders:
Colonel Frederik Laessoe vs. Fredrich von Wrangel
Strength: 6000 soldiers vs 12,000-18,000 soldiers
Casualties and losses:
Dead 170 vs. 41
Wounded 463 vs. 366
Unwounded captured 358 vs. 54
Olaf Rye
Olaf Rye
(November 16, 1791, Bø, Telemark – July 6, 1849, Fredericia)
was a Norwegian-Danish military officer. He served as a major-general and played a decisive role in the 1849 Battle of Fredericia which broke the Schleswig-Holstein siege of the town.
He died during this battle and is considered a Danish war hero.
He is buried at the military Garrison Cemetery in Copenhagen.
His brother Johan Henrik Rye was a civil servant and politician in Norway.
Olaf is also the first known ski jumper. In 1809, he launched himself 9.5 metres in the air in front of an audience of other soldiers.
F. A. Schleppegrell at Isted
Friderich Adolph von Schleppegrell
(28 June 1792 – 25 July 1850)
was a Dano-Norwegian military officer.
He was born in Brunlanes.
He became a military officer in 1807, and took part in the Gunboat War for Denmark-Norway. When Norway became independent of Denmark, only to enter a personal union with Sweden in November 1814, Schleppegrell changed his allegiance to Denmark.
By 1848 he had been promoted to Major General.
The same year, the First Schleswig War broke out. Schleppegrell excelled in the battles of Nybøl, Dybbøl and Fredericia, but fell on 25 July 1850 following the battle of Isted.
He was buried in Flensborg. The memorial Isted Lion is partly dedicated to Schleppegrell.
Claude du Plat
Peter Henrik Claude du Plat
Friedrich Heinrich Ernst Graf von Wrangel
(April 13, 1784 – November 2, 1877)
was a Generalfeldmarschall of the Prussian Army.
He was nicknamed Papa Wrangel and a member of the Baltic German noble family of Wrangel.
In 1848 Wrangel commanded the II Corps of the army of the German Confederation in the First Schleswig War, was promoted to General of Cavalry, and won several confrontations.
However, the other European powers pressured Prussia to withdraw its forces, and King Frederick William IV accordingly ordered Wrangel to withdraw his troops from the duchies.
Wrangel refused, asserting that he was under the command not of the king of Prussia but of the regent of Germany.
He proposed that, at the very least, any treaty concluded should be presented for ratification to the Frankfurt Parliament, dominated by the Liberals - giving Liberals the rather mistaken idea that Wrangel was on their side.
However, the Danes rejected this proposal and negotiations were broken off, and after painful hesitation, Prussia signed a convention at Malmö which yielded to practically all the Danish demands on 26 August 1848.
Quoted from Wiki
The Target
by Ivor Gurney
I shot him, and it had to be
One of us "Twas him or me.
'Couln't be helped' and none can blame
Me, for you would do the same
My mother, she cant sleep for fear
Of what might be a-happening here
To me. Perhaps it might be best
To die, and set her fears at rest
For worst is worst, and worry's done.
Perhaps he was the only son. . .
Yet God keeps still, and does not say
A word of guidance anyway.
Well, if they get me, first I'll find
That boy, and tell him all my mind,
And see who felt the bullet worst,
And ask his pardon, if I durst.
All's a tangle. Here's my job.
A man might rave, or shout, or sob;
And God He takes takes no sort of heed.
This is a bloody mess indeed.
One of us "Twas him or me.
'Couln't be helped' and none can blame
Me, for you would do the same
My mother, she cant sleep for fear
Of what might be a-happening here
To me. Perhaps it might be best
To die, and set her fears at rest
For worst is worst, and worry's done.
Perhaps he was the only son. . .
Yet God keeps still, and does not say
A word of guidance anyway.
Well, if they get me, first I'll find
That boy, and tell him all my mind,
And see who felt the bullet worst,
And ask his pardon, if I durst.
All's a tangle. Here's my job.
A man might rave, or shout, or sob;
And God He takes takes no sort of heed.
This is a bloody mess indeed.
Ivor Gurney was born in Gloucester, England on August 28, 1890.
His studies were interrupted by World War I in which he served as a private. He spent 16 months at the Front where he was wounded in April 1917 and gassed in September of the same year. During the time he spent in France, his poetic gift revealed itself and his first book of poems, Severn and Somme, was published in the autumn of 1917.
After his discharge from the Army, he returned to London to resume his music studies. His second book of poems, War’s Embers, was published in 1919.
Redoubt I , memorial for 2 officers Redoubt I, Memorial for 2 officers Redoubt I, Memorial for an officer fallen
QUESTION
Did you find that after all the battles, there were relatively few casualties?
http://www.donaldbrittonconrad.com/
