Battle of Tannenberg
1410 · Grunwald, Poland · World · Medieval
The Lithuanians feigned a retreat to lure the Teutonic knights out of formation; the main Polish army counterattacked and surrounded them, and the Grand Master was killed and the entire force annihilated.
Belligerents
Poland–Lithuania coalition
- Commanders
- Jogaila, Vytautas
- Strength
- Coalition of about 39,000
Teutonic Order
- Commanders
- Jungingen
- Strength
- Teutonic Order army, about 27,000
Background
The Teutonic Order and Poland-Lithuania had long contested Samogitia; the allied armies joined forces and crossed the border for a decisive battle.
Course of the battle
- StandoffThe two armies formed up on the open fields of Grunwald and faced each other in the morning.
- Feigned retreatThe Lithuanian right wing feigned a retreat, luring the knights into pursuit and loosening their formation.
- EncirclementThe main Polish army launched a counteroffensive and wheeled to envelop the knights, who were encircled and annihilated.
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 1410 |
|---|---|
| Place | Grunwald, Poland |
| Result | The Lithuanians feigned a retreat to lure the Teutonic knights out of formation; the main Polish army counterattacked and surrounded them, and the Grand Master was killed and the entire force annihilated. |
| Winner | Poland–Lithuania coalition |
| Casualties | The leadership of the Teutonic Order was almost entirely wiped out, and Grand Master von Jungingen was killed in battle. |
| Territorial change | The Teutonic Order passed from its height into decline, and the Polish-Lithuanian alliance became dominant in Eastern Europe. |
Impact
One of the largest pitched battles of medieval Europe, it reversed the fortunes of the Teutonic Order.
See the world in 1410 on the map →