One of Gustavus Adolphus’s most gifted lieutenants, Count Gustav Horn fought with distinction for the Protestant cause before his capture brought a premature end to his military career. Born into Finnish nobility, Horn learned his military trade from the revolutionary strategist Mauriceof Nassau. His practical career began at the siege of Riga in 1621, before progressing to field combat operations in Estonia and Poland.
Gustavus Adolphus had a keen eye for talent and promoted Horn to Field Marshal and second-in-command for his invasion of northern Germany in 1630. Horn was initially very successful, defeating Tilly in a stunning battle at Breitenfeld in 1631 before attacking Upper Franconia and deep into Bavaria. When Gustavus was killed at Lützen, Horn became joint-commander of the Swedish armies, but his luck ran out at Nördlingen in August 1634 where he was captured. Eight years of captivity followed for Horn before he was exchanged. He returned successfully to the battlefield against Sweden’s perennial Danish enemies in 1644, then went on to a distinguished administrative career.
Command Rating: 8
Defender’s Bonus
Whenever Gustav Horn commands troops placed on the strategic or tactical defensive, his Command Rating increases to 9.
Models supplied unassembled and unpainted
