battle battle german polish deciding battle war polish succession erupted rival candidates elected polish throne sides rough forces armies strong divided roughly half infantry half cavalry battle overwhelming victory polish swedish faction led swedish born king elect army rival throne austria taking place near town modern kilometres outside territory poland lithuania january supporters commanded chancellor great crown commanders notable participants included army polish austrian faction largely annihilated captured cause came abrupt end subsequently renounced claim polish throne background following death previous polish king swedish duke austria took election joint polish lithuanian throne candidates supporters polish lithuanian commonwealth opposing sides gathered chancellor great crown poland pro family rivalry family dated years past tensions elections ran high supported king wife elected king polish lithuanian commonwealth august recognized election disputed opponents chose respect election outcome rightful monarch days later august family called legitimate right rebel election ended chaos killed wounded family losing option knew losing likely pay severe price loss prestige possible death sentence treason present commonwealth time receiving news election poland arrived september approximately weeks departed arrived december crowned december attempted resolve dispute bringing military force poland starting war polish succession failed attempt late successfully defended retreated gather reinforcements pursued forces loyal wanted avoid large battle hoped reinforcements supplies apparent reinforced decided press attack received king royal permission cross borders attack divided army regiments able march quickly approximately kilometers day reformed army week near meantime january crossed border territory opposing forces comparable forces men half infantry forces consisted primarily hungarians artillery consisting heavy dozen lighter pieces forces numbered including cavalry infantry cannon polish supporters included cavalry command devil notable polish supporters battle poet overall forces held advantage infantry cavalry poles favored cavalry supreme mobility effective charging tactics meant infantry geared cavalry support battle night january army took positions east small town royal road leading poland felt secure camp border expect poles cross forces lines able position angle opponent line exact position unknown polish right flank moving quietly dense mist encircled left flank mist began clear realized force flanked retreat threatened ordered attack orders confused army hungarian regiment began retreat polish left wing command future dispersed opposing units battle saw infantry action commonwealth polish cavalry polish winged played major battle began cavalry champions soon followed polish cavalry charges left flank center result significant said commanded battle turning points eventually polish counterattack left flank hungarian cavalry forced army start giving ground bloody retreat quickly turned general rout army suffered heavy casualties entire battle lasted approximately hours took refuge poles took control artillery turned guns town polish forces began assault surrendered taken prisoner battle ended decisive victory polish swedish faction aftermath exact casualties unknown army suffered heavier losses estimated poles lost men captured enemy standard received knee wound life intervention papal envoy released spending thirteen months guest treaty signed march renounce polish crown holy roman emperor pledge alliances poland sweden town taken early conflict returned poland return vienna failed honor pledge renounce claim polish crown
Battle of Byczyna