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 while attempting 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 under the command of 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 the defenders rejected, knowing a relief force was on the way.

Hekimoğlu Ali Pasha arrived with another force, commanded by Mehmed Ağa, numbering around 20,000 troops. By 3 August, the Austrian siege lines had advanced to a point where an assault was feasible. However, on 4 August, Ali Pasha’s main force attacked from the woods, striking a force of infantry and hussars under General Baranyay, who were 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 report 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 and part of his camp, and the rest of his army was at risk of being surrounded. He ordered the siege lines 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 (we are playtesting these rules, which will shortly be published) for the refight, with 28mm figures. The Austrians are mainly from the Front Rank range, and the Ottomans from Old Glory, Dixon, Renegade and others.

Banja Luka fortress today (Dave Watson)