Gustav IV planned to land more than 8,000 troops, but only about 3,500 reached Helsinki village. The Swedes initially advanced inland and pushed back Russian detachments before reinforcements strengthened the opposition. A planned Swedish attack on two axes failed when the Russians seized the initiative, struck the main position, and stopped the flanking force. Gustav had ordered the supporting gunboats away, leaving the retreating troops to embark on transports under Russian fire. The exposed evacuation inflicted heavy losses on Guards, light infantry, cavalry, and artillery formations that Sweden could ill afford to lose.
Notable Point · 1:46:07-1:50:52
Helsinki village and the unprotected evacuation
At Helsinki village, a reduced Swedish landing force advanced before Russian reinforcements and the removal of its gunboat support led to a costly evacuation.