History of the Crusades

the Crusades Episode 303, the Baltic Crusades, the Lithuanian Conflict Part 8, the Battle of Tanenburg, part 2.

Hello again.

Last week we saw a 30,000 strong combined Lithuanian and Polish army cross the Vistula River and make its way northwards towards

Marienburg. Grandmaster Urich von Jungingen's 20,000 strong Teutonic Army is currently stationed at various positions

around both east and west Prussia, ready to race in to oppose the Polish Lithuanian invasion.

In an attempt to confuse and bewilder the Teutonic scouts,

King Eugyla of Poland has ordered the invading army to avoid marching

in formation along roads or cleared areas and instead is driving them northwards in a scattered haphazard manner, using tracks instead of roads

and moving through forests instead of fields. Now in order to reach his destination, the town of

Marienburg, Yagilah knew that his forces would need to cross the Devansa River, an obstacle that

inconveniently lay blocking the route between his army and the town of Marienburg.

As soon as the Grandmaster's scouts reported that the Polish Lithuanian army was haphazardly

making its way northwards, Grand Master Urich realized this fact as well.

So Urich ordered all the Teutonic forces stationed in the region to race to the northern banks of the

Devansa River to meet at the Ford which was usually utilized as a crossing point. So both armies are now headed for the same spot,

the crossing point on the river, with the invading army approaching from the south and the Teutonic forces moving down from the north.

Now both armies at this point in time are enjoying particular advantages. The Teutonic

armies are marching on home soil so the men in the Teutonic Forces have the advantage of knowing the layout of the land.

They know where best to gather food and supplies and they have the support of the local people.

The Polish and Lithuanian forces,

while not knowing the area as intimately as the Prussian armies,

...