Battle of Banja Luka 1737

Carronade 2026

The battle was fought outside Banja Luka in Ottoman Bosnia on 4 August 1737, during the Austro-Ottoman War 1737-39. An Austrian army under Prince Joseph Hildberghausen was defeated by an Ottoman relief force led by Hekimoğlu Ali Pasha during an attempt to besiege the town. 

The fortress and the city were built along the Verbas River and one of its tributaries. By 29 July, the Austrians, with around 20,000 troops, had completed their siege trenches around Banja Luka and maintained a steady bombardment. The siege lines were commanded by General von Browne. However, the fortress responded in kind, and the Austrians suffered equally. Several sorties from the city disabled Austrian artillery. On 27 July, they tested the defenders' resolve by inviting them to surrender, a request they rejected, knowing a relief force was on the way.

Hekimoğlu Ali Pasha arrived with another force commanded by Mehmed Ağa. force, numbering around 20,000 troops. By 3 August, the Austrian siege lines had advanced to a position where an assault was possible. However, on 4 August, Ali Pasha’s main force attacked out of the woods, hitting a force of infantry and hussars commanded by General Baranyay, guarding a pontoon bridge over the river to the east of the town. They resisted the initial charge but were forced to flee over the river. His main force held firm despite further Bosnian attacks, briefly stabilising the position. Other sources say that while the cavalry fled, the infantry held firm and were reinforced with additional battalions from the main army.

Whichever source is correct, Hildburghausen had now lost the southern entrance to the fortress, allowing the Bosnians to reinforce and resupply the garrison. He had also lost a battery of guns, part of his camp, and the rest of his army was at risk of being surrounded. He ordered the siege lines to be abandoned, and the remaining forces withdrew to the border, leaving behind at least 12 cannons and most of their supplies. 

This scenario will focus on the Ottoman assault on General Baranyay’s force defending the river crossing. We will use the Lust for Glory rules for the refight, with 28mm figures.