Tortensson, Lennart (1603-51). Tortensson, the father of modern artillery, was given command of the reformed Swedish artillery, the most modern in Europe, at the age of 27. He had served under Maurice of Nassau and had a clear understanding of the need for the standardization of calibres for ease of resupply and the requirements for battlefield mobility, in order that firepower might be applied at the point of decision.
At Breitenfeld his guns decisively outperformed the imperialists' and were able to keep up with the infantry in the final assault. As a result of this service he was made a general and played an important role at the Lech and Alte Veste in 1632, but was captured and held prisoner for a year, missing the battle of Lützen.
From 1635 to 1641 he campaigned with Baner in eastern Germany, taking over command reluctantly upon the latter's death. The ranks of the Swedish army by now contained many adventurers and dubious mercenaries, and it was a shadow of its former self. He set about restoring discipline and was victorious at Leipzig in 1642. Even by the standards of the time, his campaign against the imperialists in Bohemia during 1644 was considered notably ruthless. He met a Bavarian-imperialist army at Jankow in 1645, and blew it apart with his mobile guns that moved to different firing positions several times during the battle. But by now his health was broken by years of constant campaigning and he retired the following year.
— Toby McLeod
