"The Prusso-Danish War of 1864 " Topic

"… those of you who want a little more, the Prusso-Danish War of 1864 was the first of Bismarck's three big wars – the others being against the Austrians (1866) and the French (1870-71). On land the Prussian army pretty much steamrolled over the poor Danes defending the border, who withdrew to a fortified enclave at Dybbol. There they were assaulted and overrun again, and after making a last stand on the island of Als the Danish army threw in the towel. The Prussians were simply too good for them. At sea the Danes fared much better, blockading the North German coast, and dominating the sea lanes. The Battle of Helgoland was fought to break that blockade – at least the part on the German North Sea coast. A small Austro-Hungarian force led by Commodore Teggetthoff steamed north to break the blockade, and off Helgoland he was joined by a small force of Prussian gunboats. Together then took on the Danish squadron of Commodore Suensson, and fought an inconclusive little battle. It ended with the Germans withdrawing to the safety of the neutral (British-held) island of Helgoland, and the Danes withdrawing to repair their ships. Tactically it was a Danish victory, but the Germans claimed a strategic one, having temporarily lifted the blockade…"

More here.
link

Hope you enjoy!.

Amicalement
Armand

Thank you for an interesting read. Being Danish myself, it's really enjoyable to see others, and rightly so, portray the 1864 naval conflict rather than the siege of Dybbøl. Historically Danes have had more success in naval battles than anything we did on land. Besides perhaps 1848 (The First war regarding Schleswig) Lovely project!