Capitulation at Helsingfors
Russian military campaign in 1742
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The Capitulation at Helsingfors[b] was a military campaign in the summer of 1742, during the Russo-Swedish War of 1741–1743, as a result of which the Russians were able to surround and then force the main forces of the Swedish army to capitulate in Helsingfors (Helsinki).
changes Whole of Finland is completely occupied by the Russians
| Capitulation at Helsingfors | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Russo-Swedish War (1741–1743) | |||||||||
 Map of Gulf of Finland in 1742 | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||||
 Sweden |
 Russia | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
Charles Lewenhaupt Jean Louis Bousquet  |
Peter Lacy James Keith | ||||||||
| Strength | |||||||||
| 17,000 | 17,500 to 30,000 | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
|
Entire army[a] 90 cannons | Few | ||||||||
Background
Previous events
In February 1742, the Russians terminated the previous armistice and again launched an offensive into Finland, the Swedish army made maneuvers, moving away from the battle, first from Fredrikshamn (Hamina), later from Borgå (Porvoo), where it was possible to destroy the Swedish army, but because of the fog, the latter successfully retreated. The losses of the Swedes here are only 106 people, of whom 89 died.[2]
The forces of the parties
Swedish sources estimate their forces at 12,000, however, this estimate is most likely underestimated. Russian historian Alexei Shkvarov with a full recalculation of the surrendered army noted that in the case of such an estimate, 5,000 simply disappeared, so he estimated its strength at 17,000, which is consistent with other estimates from the Russian side.[1]
Russian army numbers range from 17,500 to 30,000 according to Russian and Swedish estimates, respectively.[3][4]
Siege and capitulation
On August 11, the Swedes were cut off from a direct escape route, the fleet was considered weak enough, so it retreated without a fight and allowed the siege to be closed.[5] The Swedes planned to put up fierce resistance, but after the news of the fall of Nyslott (Savonlinna), defeatist sentiments began to grow in the army,[6] at the same time Lewenhaupt was recalled to Stockholm, his deputy Bousquet tried to carry out an attack, but the Russians managed to avoid a battle,[7] two day later he capitulated.[8]
Aftermath
After the surrender, most of the scattered troops returned to Sweden, 7,000 Finns surrendered to the Russians and were forced to accept their citizenship, as noted, the Russian cavalry acted almost flawlessly, and the case itself was one of the cleanest victories of the Russia.[9]