1/72 Gustav Adolf's last attack. Lützen 1632
Dated: June 08, 2011
Hi!
Bild 2869 King Gustav II. Adolf
Bild 2874 Swedish trumpeter
Bild 2875 Swedish cuirassiers
Bild 2876 Swedish trumpeter with cuirassiers and dragoons
Bild 2882 King Gustav II. Adolf
Bild 2884 Standard-bearer "Tott's Swedish Cuirassiers"
Bild 2885 Swedish senior officer
Bild 2887 The last attack
Many thanks and best regards from Berlin / Germany!
Kai
(Webmaster's note, these are not HaT figures.)
Location: Near by Lützen, November 16, 1632. Time: 12.30 - 1.00 pm.
Leading forward the Smaland horse Gustav Adolf was suddenly struck by a bullet, which grazed the neck of his horse, Streiff, and broke his left arm just above the elbow completely in two. The attack proceeded without him, and he fell back with his entourage of six to eight persons. Meanwhile Piccolomini's horse cut clean through the Smalanders, and sent them scurrying back for the cover of the ditch.
Separated from the Smalanders in the mist, Gustav Adolf, weakened and in shock, called Duke Franz Albrecht of Sachsen-Lauenburg to take him out of the action. The royal stablemaster, Von der Schulenburg, took the reins of the King's horse and began to lead him back to the Swedish lines. Suddenly, some of Götz's cuirassiers appeared out of the mist. One of them, distinctive in his burnished steel armour, recognised the King and called out 'Here's the right bird!' and fired a pistol into the King's back.
The King had slumped from his horse and took several rapier thrusts through his body.
Outnumbered by cuirassiers, the rest of the royal entourage fled for their lives. One of the cuirassiers asked the name of the stricken cavalier. Gustav Adolf is said to have replied 'I was the King of Sweden.' When a body of Swedish horse approached, someone delivered the coup de grâce with a pistol shot in the temple.
(Text from Osprey Publishing: Lützen 1632. Climax of the Thirty Years War. Page 62 - 66)
Many thanks to Kai.