September 17, 1631 · Saxony Theater
September 17, 1631
Gustavus Adolphus led his Swedish-Saxon army against Tilly's Imperial-Catholic League force north of Leipzig. When the Saxon wing collapsed immediately, the Swedish king reorganized the battle line and launched a devastating counter-offensive. Tilly's veterans were routed — the first major Protestant victory of the war — and 20,000 Imperial soldiers were killed or captured.
Commanders