Välkpinged

Välkpinged is a Swedish term that refers to a defensive strategy employed by the Swedish Army during the 17th and 18th centuries. The technique involved creating a line of piked infantry units, known as svärdgrunder, to form a hedgehog-like formation. This formation was designed to provide a dense and impenetrable barrier against cavalry charges.

The key to the välkpinged tactic was the positioning of the pikemen in a dense, tight formation, with their pikes angled outward to create a wall of sharp steel. The pikemen would then use their pikes to defend against cavalry charges, while the infantry units behind them would prepare to counterattack. The formation was often flanked by cavalry units, which would provide additional flexibility and support to the line.

Välkpinged was a key component of Swedish military strategy during the 17th and 18th centuries, and was used in a number of battles, including the Thirty Years' War and the Great Northern War. While it was often effective against traditional cavalry formations, it was vulnerable to more modern and flexible tactics, such as those employed by the Russian Army during the Great Northern War.

Despite its limitations, the välkpinged remains an important example of early modern military tactics, and highlights the ingenuity and adaptability of Swedish military leaders of the time. By employing formations of pikemen to defend against cavalry, the Swedish Army was able to counter the threat posed by these powerful and mobile units, and go on to achieve significant military victories.