Sweden Come Get Your Soldiers

17,000 Swedes found in Polish mass grave
The Local - Sweden's News in English
4 November 2006

Polish archaeologists have succeeded in locating mass graves
containing the remains of 17,000 Swedish soldiers, Aftonbladet
reports.

The soldiers perished at the Battle of Kalisz in western Poland on
October 29, 1706, six years into the Great Northern War. The battle
was part of King Karl XII's unexpected campaign against neutral
Poland-Lithuania, which began after Swedish forces split the Russian
army in two at the Battle of Narva in 1700.

The war finally ended in defeat for Sweden at the Treaty of Nystad in
1721.

Archaeologist Leszek Ziabka claims that Sweden has displayed a
complete lack of interest in the fate of its fallen troops.

"Swedish authorities have a list of all the names but don't care
about them," Ziabka told Aftonbladet.

General Arvid Axel Mardefelt's troops were severely routed at the
Battle of Kalisz, which lasted just two and a half hours. Those
Swedish soldiers not slain in the heat of battle were quickly pursued
and killed by a contingent of Ukrainian Cossacks.

"We have so far dug up eight complete skeletons. The remains of at
least 1,000 Swedes are located here," said Ziabka.

A second mass grave at nearby Koscielna Wies contains the remains of
a further 16,000 Swedish soldiers, according to Polish news agency
PAP. The agency further reports that farmers in the region have begun
digging up skeletons, as well as weapons belonging to the Swedish
soldiers.

The Polish archaeologist explained that his team lacks the resources
to analyse the finds. But should his Swedish counterparts show an
interest they will be given full access to the three centuries old
remains of their countrymen.

"Despite the fact that Sweden is no longer interested in its fallen
soldiers we in Poland intend to erect a monument to them," said
Ziabka.

News agency PAP reported that the Swedish soldiers will not be
forgotten on All Saints' Day – Polish farmers plan to light candles
on the mass graves as a mark of respect.

Regimental Histories of the Northern War

Great Northern War Timeline