Battle of IJsselmeer
The Battle on Skates | |||||||
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Part of the Eighty Years' War | |||||||
Charge of the Dutch soldiers on skates | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
United Provinces | Spain | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Geuzen | Fadrique Álvarez de Toledo, 4th Duke of Alba | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
unknown | unknown | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
Low | Many hundreds dead[1] |
The Battle of IJsselmeer, also known as the Battle on Skates, was a notable military engagement during which the
However, as these soldiers approached the ships, they encountered a group of armed Dutch forces who were equipped with skates. In response to the Dutch soldiers' advance, they swiftly withdrew while bullets were exchanged between the two sides. The uneven icy terrain proved challenging for conventional foot movement, but the Dutch skaters effectively glided over the ice, avoiding harm, and fired bullets at their adversaries. They skillfully alternated between shooting and retreating, maintaining a tactical advantage.
The outcome of the battle was severe losses for the Spanish forces, resulting in hundreds of casualties. Upon receiving news of this setback, the Duke promptly issued an order for the procurement of seven thousand pairs of skates, presumably to equip his troops for similar icy encounters in the future.[2][3]
References
- ^ Goodman, Neville; Goodman, Albert (1882). Handbook of fen skating, by N. and A. Goodman. Sampson, Low. p. 29.
- ^ St. Nicholas Volume 19. Scribner & Company. 1892. pp. 244–245.
- ISBN 9780313050688.