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Kung Karl -> (9/2/2003 4:05:35 AM)
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Carolus invaded Russia out of need to to do it. He thought that if Russia wasn't beaten they would come back later and destroy the Swedish empire so he needed to invade while Sweden had the upper hand. In 1708 when the invasion begun Sweden was at its height of power. Russia sued and begged for peace but Carolus had other plans. Unfortunaly for him the Russian winter sealed Swedens destiny just as it defeated the Wehrmacht for the Russians.
At the battle at Poltava, which can be diveded up in phases, the Russian line actually started to break in the final phase. But it was only 4000 swedes against 20 000 russians, with modern and full supply in the final phase. The Swedish army didn't have any supply for another enagment and the King was wounded and could not participate. But even at that point the Swedes marched on aginst the green masses of russian soldiers. If the Swedish cavalry chock had come at that time when the russians started to break the battle could have been won but it never came. They were hunting the fleeing russian cavalry.
These battles should be studied by those of you interseted in great battles of the 18th century.
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