The Battle of Alavus took place on August 17, 1808 in the vicinity of the town of Alavus (Swedish: Alavo), as part of the Finnish War. The Finnish army, under the command of general Carl Johan Adlercreutz defeated a smaller Russian force and drove it southwards. It was the last in a string of Swedish successes during the summer of 1808, and marked the turning point in the war. Combatants Russia France Denmark–Norway Sweden Commanders Friedrich Wilhelm von Buxhoeveden Wilhelm Mauritz Klingspor Carl Johan Adlercreutz Georg Carl von Döbeln The Finnish War was fought between Sweden and Russia from February 1808 to September 1809. ... August 17 is the 229th day of the year (230th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1808 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Alavus is a municipality of Finland. ... Carl Johan Adlercreutz (1759-1815) was a Swedish general and the chief promoter of the revolution of 1808. ... Combatants Russia France Denmark–Norway Sweden Commanders Friedrich Wilhelm von Buxhoeveden Wilhelm Mauritz Klingspor Carl Johan Adlercreutz Georg Carl von Döbeln The Finnish War was fought between Sweden and Russia from February 1808 to September 1809. ... The Battle of Siikajoki was fought between Swedish and Russian troops on April 18, 1808 at Siikajoki, near Oulu, Finland. ... The Battle of Revolax took place on April 27, Swedes surprised an isolated Russian column of about 4,000 men under General Bonlatov. ... The engagement of Pulkkila was fought between Swedish and Russian forces near the place of Pulkkila on May 2, 1808 during the Finnish War. ... The Battle of Lapua was fought between Swedish and Russian troops on July 14, 1808 at Lapua, Finland. ... The Battle of Kauhajoki was fought between Swedish and Russian troops on August 10, 1808. ... The Battle of Jutas was fought on September 13, 1808 between Swedish and Russian troops south of Nykarleby in Ostrobothnia, Finland. ... The Battle of Oravais is sometimes regarded as the turning point of the Finnish War: the last chance for Sweden to turn the war to her advantage. ... Battle of Virta bro (Finnish Koljonvirran taistelu) was fought between Swedish and Russian troops on October 27, 1808. ... The Battle of Sävar and Ratan is actually two separate battles fought with only a day apart. ... August 17 is the 229th day of the year (230th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1808 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Alavus is a municipality of Finland. ... Combatants Russia France Denmark–Norway Sweden Commanders Friedrich Wilhelm von Buxhoeveden Wilhelm Mauritz Klingspor Carl Johan Adlercreutz Georg Carl von Döbeln The Finnish War was fought between Sweden and Russia from February 1808 to September 1809. ... A General is an officer of high military rank. ... Carl Johan Adlercreutz (1759-1815) was a Swedish general and the chief promoter of the revolution of 1808. ...

Prelude

With his supply lines harassed by Swedish forces and retreating southward, the newly appointed general major Nikolay Kamensky decided to retake the initiative. The logistical situation precluded this however, and he was forced to march to Jämsä. Not until August 7 was he able to regain control of the situation, as Swedish raiding activities ebbed and reinforcements and fresh supplies started arriving. Kamenskiy then decided to renew his offensive. He sent a detatchment under colonel Erikson toward Alavus and marched towards Jyväskylä. Supply lines are roads, rail, and other transportation infrastructure needed to replenish the consumables that a military unit requires to function in the field. ... Count Nicholas Kamensky Count Nikolay Mikhailovich Kamensky (27 December 1776 — 4 May 1811) was a Russian general who outlived his father, Field Marshal Mikhail Kamensky, by two years. ... Jämsä is a town and municipality of Finland. ... Fireworks in Jyväskylä Jyväskylä (IPA: [jyʋæsËŒkylæ]) is a city located in central Finland, 147 km from Tampere and 270 km from Helsinki, near the lakes Päijänne and Keitele. ...

Probably encouraged by the victory at Kauhajoki, marshal Wilhelm Mauritz Klingspor ordered general Adlercreutz to attack the Russian position at Alavus. The army, much worn by the ordeals of the summer, was moved south on August 16 in pouring rain. The following day the weather cleared. The Battle of Kauhajoki was fought between Swedish and Russian troops on August 10, 1808. ...

The battle

In bright sunshine, Adlercreutz attacked the Russian positions south of the Alavus church, near the small village of Härkölä, protected by lake Alajärvi on his left and marshy ground on his right. The Russian counterattacked on their right wing and forced a batallion of Karelians on the Swedish left flank to retreat northwards. At this point Adlercreutz ordered the 3:rd batallion of Savolax infantry regiment, supported by the 2:nd batallion, to counterattack. After a barrage of gunfire, the batallion made a bayonet charge and threw back the Russians. The Russian left flank was also under pressure and started yielding; by 19.00 the entire Russian force had retired with casualties tallying 370 men, compared to 200 on the Swedish side. St. ... Alajärvi is a municipality of Finland. ... Symbol of the Austrian 14th Armoured Battalion in NATO military graphic symbols In military terminology, a battalion consists of two to six companies typically commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel. ...

Aftermath

Despite the success, Klingspor never capitalized on it or the outcome of Lapua and the difficult Russian supply situation in the summer of 1808. After the defeat at Alavus, Russian fortune turned and Kamensky was successful in his counteroffensive, which drove the Swedes ever further north. The Battle of Lapua was fought between Swedish and Russian troops on July 14, 1808 at Lapua, Finland. ...

Source

• Finska kriget 1808-1809, Martin Hårdstedt (2006) (ISBN 91-518-4101-0).