Combat of Rosslau

Combat of Rosslau
Part of the German campaign of the Sixth Coalition
Michel Ney (left) and Johan August Sandels (right)
Date 29 September 1813 Location Dessau-Roßlau, Germany 51°50′N 12°15′E / 51.833°N 12.250°E / 51.833; 12.250 Result Swedish victory
Belligerents
French Empire	Sweden
Commanders and leaders
Michel Ney	Johan August Sandels
Strength
7,000–8,000	4,000–4,500
Casualties and losses
600–800	286–400

War of the Sixth Coalition:
German campaign

200km
125miles

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  current battle

  Napoleon in command

  Napoleon not in command

The Combat of Rosslau was fought in the War of the Sixth Coalition on 29 September 1813, near Rosslau, Germany. Michel Ney attacked the Swedish bridgehead at the Elbe, to stop the Army of the North from crossing the river. The Swedish commander Johan August Sandels counterattacked and chased the French for 5 km (3 mi) before being forced to retire himself. About 350 Swedes were dead and wounded while the French had 600 losses. The battle had no strategic effects, but it was one of very few times in the war that a Swedish force was fully committed in battle.