Landing at Ystad (1659)

For the landing in 1676, see Landing at Ystad.

The landing at Ystad, also called the Ystad coup (Swedish: Ystadskuppen)^[1] occurred on 7 September 1659 and began when Major General Frederik Ahlefeldt captured Ystad with 8 ships and 460 men. Soon after, groups of Snapphanar quickly organized into groups as large as 60 to support the Danish landing, arriving at Ystad only to find out the true size of the Danish force. A few days later, the Danes were forced to withdraw after several small skirmishes with Gustaf Otto Stenbock. The snapphanar were also eventually forced to get on stolen boats and sail towards Bornholm and Zealand after being hunted down by Stenbock.

Landing at Ystad
Part of the Dano-Swedish War (1658–1660)
Reconstructed map of Ystad from the 18th century
Date 7–? September 1659 Location Ystad, Sweden 55°25′N 13°50′E Result Swedish victory Territorial changes Danish forces evacuate Ystad after a few days
Belligerents
Denmark–Norway	Swedish Empire
Commanders and leaders
Frederik Ahlefeldt	Gustaf Otto Stenbock
Units involved
8 cavalry companies	Ystad garrison
Strength
460 infantry and cavalry 8 ships	c. 1,000 men
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Unknown

Background

1934 Statue of Snapphanen by Axel Ebbe depicting Lille Mads, a snapphane.

In 1659, a large Snapphane uprising broke out in Scania, spreading from Blekinge to Småland and Kullaberg. Threats, sabotage, ambushes, and skirmishes became commonplace, but the revolt remained unorganized.^[2]

After a failed Danish attempt to regain Scania in December 1658, such a desire reignited. The Danes wished to take advantage of the rising unrest in Scania to retake the province from Sweden.^[3]

Landing

On 5 September, Major General Frederik Ahlefeldt^[3] sailed from Copenhagen with 8 ships and 460 men.^[4][3] The Dutch intended to come to their support 2 days later with 1,200 men.^[3] On 7 September, the Danes came up to Ystad. Their ships were flying Swedish colors, but the small garrison in the city knew what was up and retreated after a short battle.^[3][5] The Danish capture of the city reached the snapphanar; they interpreted it as a signal for the imminent liberation of Scania and that it was time to openly fight the Swedes. Several groups of up to 60 men^[3] went out of the forests, going along the Romeleåsen and Linderödsåsen and through Fyledalen to unite with the Danes.^[2] The Danes intended to "revive the morale of the people of this province, who unwillingly bear the Swedish yoke."^[5]

Portrait of Gustaf Otto Stenbock by David Klöcker Ehrenstrahl

On the way to Ystad, they attacked Swedish patrols. However, when they arrived at Österlen, they realized that the Danish force only consisted of 8 companies of cavalry,^[6] and smaller than anticipated. Later, news also arrived of Gustaf Otto Stenbock's march towards Ystad with around 1,000 men gathered at Dalby cathedral. He blocked roads northwards, and with the threat of his arrival, the Danes returned to their ships and sailed away within only a few days after a few short skirmishes.^[4][6][3]

Stenbock's force now began hunting the snapphanar that had arrived in Ystad, with most fleeing onto stolen boats over to Bornholm or Zealand.^[7]

Aftermath

The ensuing exodus did not mean that Scania was at peace, but it saw the beginning of the end of the Snapphane movement.^[7]