The defeat of the Turks in Vienna in 1683 was of catalytic importance for world history. However it did not end the war between the Empire (Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation) and the Ottomans. Emboldened by their victory, the Imperials counterattacked with the intention of driving the Turks out of Hungary entirely. After the liberation of Pesti, the goal was also the liberation of Buddha.
The imperial army under Prince Charles of Lorraine moved towards Vats, a small town 35 km north of present-day Budapest. The area was defended by the forces of Kara Mehmet Pasha of Buda. The Imperials crossed the Danube and captured Visegrad. They were informed by Turkish prisoners that Kara Mehmet Pasha was reinforced with 15,000 men under Mustafa Pasha, who also took command.
Maneuvers
When the Imperials moved towards Pest the Turks attacked, on 17 June 1684, Esztergom, the main logistical base of their opponents but failed to destroy it as the Imperial army moved there. The Turks retreated while at the same time the Imperials were significantly reinforced by Polish and Hungarian divisions.
On June 21 the imperial army moved again. Mustafa, being informed of enemy movements, ordered Kara Mehmet to rush with 15,000 cavalry and 5,000 infantry to Vats in order to intercept the advance of the Imperials. However, Charles of Lorraine was also informed of the Turks' movements and moved against them.
In battle positions
The two rivals met northwest of Vats. The Turks had positioned themselves near the village of Verose with their left flank covered by the Danube and their right flanked by Gypsy Hill. In front of their left flank was also a marsh making any Imperial attack there almost suicidal. The marsh could be crossed by a wooden footbridge that could fit only two people across.
However, although the Turks held strong positions, their leader Kara Mustafa did not do his men the honor to remain with them... The "brave" Pasha preferred to be safe and retreated to a safe distance, according to some sources! On the other hand, Prince Charles ordered his army in a mixed order, mixing infantry and cavalry units to provide support for his infantry against the thousands of Turkish and Tartar horsemen, while protecting his horsemen with his infantry blunderbusses.
Charles entrusted the command of his right wing to the famous general Ludwig of Baden and of his left wing to the Duke of the Palatinate – Neuburg, while the command of the center was assumed by himself together with Marshal Maximilian von Stareberg, brother of the savior of Vienna, Ernst Riediger von Stareberg, who was also present. According to Charles's plan, the force of Ludwig of Baden and himself would advance head-on against the Turks in the marsh, while the wing of the Duke of Palatinate would attempt a hypercathenic maneuver with the aim of encircling the enemy's right wing.
Cannons thunder steel decides
The battle began on June 27, 1684, with an exchange of artillery fire. However, Kara Mehmet had lined up his cannons in the wrong position, creating no-fire zones which the opponents took advantage of - the cannons of the time did not set a curved trajectory. Thus despite the Turkish barrage of fire the Imperials advanced almost unscathed and initially attacked the Turks in the marsh. With great bravery they crossed the footbridge, but also through the swamp and found themselves in front of the surprised Turks who were completely taken by surprise.
Immediately the Tatars and the spachides horsemen defending there fled. At the same time the Duke Palatinate's superior force, with perfect timing, struck the Turkish right where it was held by janissaries . And those considered as the elite of the Ottoman army, however, could not withstand the disciplined fire and the momentum of the Christians and also ran away pursued by the famous Hungarian Hussar cavalrymen who did not show the slightest mercy to any janissary who fell into their hands. At least 700 janissaries were slaughtered like sheep...
After this Kara Mehmet's army – although the leader was missing – fled in disorder, without firing a rifle! Another 2,300 Turks were killed mostly in the pursuit while Vets was easily captured by the Imperials. Many Turks were also captured and enslaved on the imperial ships and barges of the Danube fleet. Of the Christians, only 20 men were killed – other sources say 50 to 100. In any case, it was an amazing victory at a minimal cost in Christian blood. The Imperials also captured all Turkish artillery and supplies,
