Gustavian Infantry | The Army of Gustavus Adolphus

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Gustavus Adolphus is celebrated today as the Father of Modern Warfare. By focusing on infantry firepower rather than melee troops or heavy cavalry, he was able to score victories across Poland and Germany. He was posthumously entitled "The Great" by the Swedish parliament, much in the vein of Alexander. Later on, he was celebrated by great generals like Napoleon Bonaparte and George S. Patton. Historians have attributed to him major military inventions, like the paper cartridge and uniforms. Some even call him the inventor of "total war".
Ofcourse, these attributions are much too dramatic. Paper cartridges were used almost a hundred years before Gustavus hayday. He didn't really invent anything, but was very good at combining different things that he learned, ranging from the tactical to technological. In this video we'll be taking a look at how these innovations were combined together into what has been considered the most effective military force of its day.
Sources:
War And The State In Early Modern Europe - Jan Glete
Gustav II Adolf och hans folk - Göte Göransson
The Army of Gustavus Adolphus (Vol 1) - Osprey Publishing
The Army of Gustavus Adolphus (Vol 2) - Osprey Publishing
Gustav II Adolf - Sverker Oredsson
Bondenöd och stormaktsdröm - Axel Strindberg
Trettioåriga kriget - Wolke, Larsson, Villstrand
0:00 Introduction
1:01 Recruitment
4:08 Organization
6:19 Equipment
11:32 Uniforms
14:39 Tactics
15:51 Articles of War
18:54 Collapse
22:16 Outro

[@jansundvall2082]

Good content in all three parts of your series about the Gustavian army. I miss one thing in the part of the reorganisation of the artillery, you didn’t mention our greatest fieldmarchall Lennart Torstensson who as colonel of the artillery was the man whom did the practical work and grow to the Patton of the thirty years war. Please do something about the cooperation between the king and his chancellor. I’m thankful of your work.

[@otto2616]

The History of new Sweden would be awesome

[@blaircolquhoun7780]

Gustavus Adolfus was used the pike square and he was financed by Cardinal Richelieu of France. According to the 1979 book Tactical Genius in Battle. His greatest victory was the Battle of Breitenfeld.

[@oliversmith9200]

Yes this is specialized historic detail and insightful commentary.

[@unknowntrooper_2791]

Good content again. I hope the channel grows.

[@Catonius]

Quality content, I hope the algorithm gives you the push. It's well deserved.

[@balticempire7244]

thank you!

[@1pierosangiorgio]

beautifully made, illustrated and narrated video.

[@deteon1418]

Nice video! 🇸🇪🇸🇪

[@J.D-g8.1]

Thx for the content, deserves more views.

[@stanisawzokiewski3308]

7:40 half armor. full armor goes from head to toe. three quatter armor from knee to head. half armor from thigh to head

[@rickarmknecht8903]

Thanks -- good information that is well presented.

[@grandcommander1140]

Plz do the Carolian Army next

[@buckplug2423]

I know this is a bit out of your period, but since you seem to have experience in the matter, could you make a video on some of the traditions of the modern Swedish army relating to the Gustavian and Carolean period?

[@Loopercong]

Love it!

[@riccapoccia3875]

Great docu (y)

[@dondouglass6415]

Fascinating

[@kub998]

Przerażające że na chwałę jednego człowieka i interesy garski można poświęcić tyle ludzkich żyć i stworzyć tyle potworności. A obecnie są ludzie którzy podziwiają to. 😢

[@patriciusvunkempen102]

Pikemans aremor is not full armor but halfarmor or 3/4th armor.

[@MayTheFay]

What is that illustration in 14:52 from? please help me find it

[@apotato6278]

Hey! I found the illustration you were looking for. It's the Battle of Lützen from Danckaerts "Historis" published in 1642. You can find the exact print by copying "Delineation Der Schwedischen und Keyserischen Schlacht-ordnung den 6. Novemb. 1632 bey Lutzen gehalten" into google images. It's a long title but roughly translated it means "A Portrayal of the Swedish and Imperial Formations at Lützen" Hope this helps!

[@MayTheFay]

@@apotato6278 dammm hero

[@FutureBoyWonder]

Ahh.. Sweden's brief foray into great power status They rightfully learned it's not worth it and only serves as a vessel to fuel leaders pride and ego.. Like napoleon III

[@VicariousReality7]

5:37 Back then? Dont you right now?

[@henrikpersson1962]

Gustavus Adolphus is usally not referred to as the great in Sweden.

[@PMMagro]

He started a huge war and died eraly. "Great" ...

[@Mornomgir]

@@PMMagro The dude nearly toppled the holy roman empire, reforged the face of europe forever and was a breath away from becoming a protestant emperor. He revolutionized how armies operated and laid the foundation for the Swedish Empire. So The Great, The king of all Kings and the lion of the north is not near enough accolades for this absolute legend of a man.

[@olleolsson5708]

I think the fall of the empire paved the way for our democracy and development, gustavus was great but the fall enabled sweden to become great

[@milagroscortez690]

Hola???????????

[@craigmason9893]

Show up drunk