Battle of Khotyn (1673)

Battle of Khotyn
Part of the Polish–Ottoman Wars

Battle of Khotyn 1673
DateNovember 11, 1673
LocationKhotyn, Ukraine
48°29′N 26°30′E / 48.483°N 26.500°ECoordinates: 48°29′N 26°30′E / 48.483°N 26.500°E
Result Polish victory
Belligerents

Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth
 Principality of Moldavia

 Principality of Wallachia

 Ottoman Empire


Defected:

Commanders and leaders
Jan Sobieski
Michał Kazimierz Radziwiłł
Grigore I Ghica
Hussain Pasha
Strength
30,000 Poles and Lithuanians troops
300 Lipka Tatar
35,000 Ottomans troops
120 guns
Casualties and losses
Very light Around 30,000 dead, wounded and captured
120 guns
Jan Sobieski in battle of Khotyn 1673

The Battle of Khotyn or Battle of Chocim was a battle held on the 11 November 1673, where Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth forces under hetman Jan Sobieski defeated Ottoman Empire forces under Hussain Pasha. It reversed the fortunes of the previous year, when Commonwealth weakness led to the signing of the Peace of Buczacz, and allowed Jan Sobieski to win the upcoming royal election and become the king of Poland.

Polish-Lithuanian forces and Wallachian regiments were 30 thousand strong. The Turks commanded 35 thousand troops and 120 guns. In this battle rockets of Kazimierz Siemienowicz were deployed successfully. The victory allowed the Poles to revoke the unfavourable Peace of Buczacz and set the stage for the role Sobieski was to play in the Battle of Vienna in 1683.

Aftermath

The Turkish forces withdrew from Poland after having their supplies captured and most of their artillery. Sobieski and the nobles returned to Warsaw for elections following the death of Michael Wisniowiecki, King of Poland, the day before the battle.

Bibliography