Battle of Lemo

Infobox Military Conflict|name=Battle of Lemo
partof=Finnish War|


caption=
konflikt=Finnish War
place=Lemo, south of Turku
date=19-20 June, 1808
result=Russian defensive victory
combatant1=Sweden
combatant2=Russia
commander1=Eberhard von Vegesack
commander2=Fredrik Vilhelm von Buxhoevden
strength1=2,000
strength2=3,600
casualties1=200
casualties2=300|The Battle of Lemo was a fought during the Finnish War, between Sweden and Russia between 19-20 June, 1808.

On June 19, some 2,000 Swedes landed at Lemo, in south-western Finland, aided by the Swedish Navy. Their Swedes intended to liberate Turku from the Russians. The initial phases of the operation were quite successful for the Swedes, who managed to advanced several kilometers, eventually having Turku in sight. Meanwhile, the Russians had gathered their forces and decided to fight. The Russians managed to gather some 3,600 men at Turku. The Swedish assault were met with fierce resistance. The Russians were however in a serious situation, and at one moment, the Russian commander began planning the retreat from Turku. The Russians were also worryingly observing as the citizens of Turku gathered on a nearby hill to watch the battle - fearing that they would revolt if the Russians showed signs of weakness. But the fierce Russian resistance paid off - the Swedes were forced to pull back and eventually evacuate to their ships. The Swedish commander Vegesack pulled his land and sea forces back to the Åland Islands and a sea battle ensued in the archipelago. Russian casualties numbered about 300 men while the Swedes lost about 200. in the battle of Lemo.

ee also

*Finnish War