Sir William Dudhope's Polish Expedition

Sir William Dudhope, unable to inherit his father's estate owing to doubts over his legitimacy, began his military career under the 2nd Earl of Essex and Sir Walter Raleigh on the Azores expedition of 1597. Following service in the Anglo-Dutch brigade under Prince Maurice of Nassau he obtained a commission during service with the Spanish 1600. Further military experience was gained in Flanders and Germany during the Thirty Years War fighting in the Dutch service, under Christian IV of Denmark (1626-7). Finally, before returning to England in 1630, he served under of Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden including a period fighting the Poles during the Polish-Swedish War (1625–1629). Intending to become a small landowner with trading interests he found that in fact his military exploits were not yet complete.

Soon he was approached by representatives of King Charles for another expedition. Once again he would be dispatched to the continent, but this time in command of a small English expedition. Since the victory of the small Polish fleet at the naval battle of Oliwa near Danzig in 1627 the Polish threat to merchant shipping had increased.

Significantly so from 1632 due to formalisation of hostilities between Poland and Russia known as the Smolensk War. With a bustling wool trade at threat the commercial interests of English merchants determined to fund a small expedition to the continent. It was hoped that if successful that Polish activities against the wool trade would cease. Charles of course also was aware of benefits. The expedition would silence his critics as the expedition would support the Protestant cause locked in the bitter wars that engulfed Europe.

The Swedish and Polish fleets engaged at the Naval Battle of Oliwa in 1627.

In early April 1632 the small English army landed on the shores of the Baltic. The difficult task of transporting troops and supplies ashore began. While this occurred the small fleet was covered by the English third rate Happy Entrance carrying 30 guns. This single naval vessel would however have stood little chance against the Polish fleet even with the support of the assembled merchant vessels with their adhoc armaments. Having disembarked his army and unloaded supplies it was late April before the small force left behind their ships and advanced inland.

After three days Sir William, while marching some five miles south of Chojnice, halted to observe a spectacular site. In the distance and deploying for battle was the Polish host. As well as infantry several large bodies of cavalry were clearly visible as were several large pieces of artillery. This Polish army was commanded, it was found later, by the experienced Count Verhikitwz.

About the road which the English advanced were two gentle hills, one on each side. That on the right was just to the front of the English advanced guard, while that on the left was behind what looked to be the front line of Polish deployment. Further to the flanks was a small wood to the rear of the Polish line and to the English right flank. On the extreme English left lay a small marsh.

Sir William Dudhope deployed near the London Red Regiment. He is flanked by harquebusiers in deep formations. The London Trained Bands provided one converged regiment for the expedition. A result of the strong ties to the merchant interests of London and the risk the Polish piracy was likely to have on commerce.

After both armies completed deployment the situation was as follows. The Poles had their artillery in the centre, about the road and to the rear. Forward of this and to each side was deployed two bodies of Polish and Cossack musketeers in two bodies of 600 men each. Then to flank of these troops were deployed wild Polish cossacks or Pancerni, armed with an assortment of weapons, but included axes, lances, pistols and swords. These bodies were 400 each in three deep lines, while yet further to the flanks were deployed the on a frontage of similar length the Winged Hussars in two bodies of 200 each. These knightly types were a spectacle to see with large columns of wings attached to their saddles and armed with lances and pistols. Backing up the formations hussars were smaller bodies of of Polish cossacks armed with carbine, whose intention it was to provide flanking fire support to the other mounted troops.

Sir William deployed his first three regiments of foote in a line six deep, each regiment deploying in the centre flanked by an equal body of shot to each side. At intervals between the regiments were placed the artillery. For the expedition Sir William was joined by Sir Arthur Turbervile, who was on this occasion, to command the bulk of the English horse. Sir Arthur was instructed to hold the left with two regiments of foote while deploying his harqubusiers and lobsters between the left of Sir William's foote and the right of Sir Arthur's foote, that is, in the centre. A most unusal deployment to be certain. Finally, Sir William took personal charge of the remaining harqbusiers, some 300 in number and positioned them on the right of the most extreme regiment of foote, but withdrawn somewhat.

Sir William's plan was simple, it drew much from his own experience against the Poles while in Swedish service during the Second Polish War. The key, or so Sir William was instructed his Colonels, was the close co-operation between the shot and pike to hold the Polish cavalry at a distance. Care should be taken however as the Polish foote were known to charge with axe and musket. Sir William also instructed his commanders on the typical tactics of the enemy horse. They were brittle but quick movement and would likely "falle upon any of our own horse thate became detached frome the line or may attempt to falle upon our flanks. But they can be dispatched by drill and fire from shote and gonne".

As soon as the English forces were deployed, at about 11am, the English centre foote regiments advanced with great speed and courage towards the Poles. Sir Arthur boldly moved his forces forward, his horse aiming to advance and attack the Polish foote, who were deployed to their front with no pike or other weapons suitable to stop a well equipped lobster. His regiments of foot also advanced forward but wheeling to their left as the Polish cavalry tried to come upon their flanke. The Polish Count also seemed to start aggressively with many wheels and fast movements about the flanks as his Hussars and Pancerni tried to envelope the English line. After less than half an hour of manoeuvre the Polish forces suddenly paused, and from thence onwards the aggressive bold movements seemed somewhat more cautious. At about the same time Sir Arthur came under intense artillerie fire from the Polish gonnes, but twas to no good as his harquebusiers and lobsters continued to advance upon the Polish foote. Sir Arthur dispatched his harqubusiers some 300 strong to deal with these foote, with orders to advance to close range and present and give fire. Sir Arthur meanwhile wheeled his lobsters left to cover the harqebusiers from the advance of some 500 Polish cossacks. In this position his lobsters came under increased artillery fire, although it was obvious the gunners drill was poor as the firing was both infrequent and inaccurate.

The Polish foote were hotly engaged in a fire fight by the English harqubusiers. The volley fire of the English horse at such close range was very effective against the Poles who soon dashed forward to engage the horse. However, they were cut down as one would expect as they had not one pike among them. Meanwhile, along the line the English shot began to play havoc against the enemy "cossacks" who being colourful and somewhat wild were not up to the fire of the English shote and gonnes and broke formation. Soon a portion of the rabble was seen to be fleeing to the rear.

Sir William meanwhile advanced forward to protect his right regiment of foote from the attack of the Winged Hussars under the Polish Count. Supported by some shote, commanded to support his cavalrie for this attack, Sir William advanced to within range and allowed the musketeers and harqubusiers to give fire at the Winged Hussars. Blowing off their loose powder they did indeed present and give fire. A fortunate shot in the first vollie was fired, killing the Count himself, and seriously demoralising those troops in the area.

This was to much for the brittle Polish Cossacks nearby, who fled to the rear, the remaining Hussars on both flanks launched attacks into Sir William's horse on the right and Sir Arthur's regiment of foote on the left. Both attacks were held.

Sir Arthur with his Lobsters prior to the battle. To his right, are elements of his own regiment regiment of foot.

On the right the hussar's charge into the harquebusiers was held and the hussars were engulfed in more fire form the supporting shote, while on the left the charging hussars were unable to make progress against the formed bodies of pike and shote. At this stage seeing no future, and having a number of Polish units in full flight the remaining Polish troops began their retreat from the field in good order.

It was considered a great victory for the English, and showed that well drilled equipped Englishmen could take on in open battle this rather unusual almost medieval array. The Polish court have been told however that it was the fault of the Count and not the Polish troops. Had it not been for the Count's total loss of nerve and indecision at key points in the battle the result would have been different. Indeed, it is rumoured that even as Sir William continues his march, another Polish army is massing, which contains less cossack cavalry and infantry and more German mercenary foote and several wagons equipped with light artillery, to be used as some form of mobile fortress.

Sir William, while pleased of this great victory, was somewhat concerned should the next Polish commander realise his great weekness and that being the placing of more artillery or these German mercenaries armed and well drilled in the use of a musket, in such a position upon the fielde that they may do great damage to the bodies of pike deployed to protect the English shote form the many Polish cavalrie. Therefore, while the English soldiers did distinguish themselves with much aggressive and determined displays of drilling with musket, pike and pistol, should the Poles be able to charge home in greater numbers it may indeed be a different story.