Battle of Kaposvár

Battle of Kaposvár
Part of Zemplen War
Kaposvár burns during the battle
Date 21 May - 2 July 2009 Location Kaposvár, Kunhegyes Distrct, Ruvelka Result Syaran Victory
Belligerents
Ruvelka	Syara
Commanders and leaders
Péter Novák	Nikodemos Cvetkov Vedran Kučina
Units involved
3rd Army	2nd Army
Strength
220,000	140,000
Casualties and losses
16,202 killed 29,809 wounded 60,000 captured	12,463 killed 27,947 wounded

The Battle of Kaposvár was a battle between Syara and Ruvelka during the Zemplen War, fought between 21 May and 2 July 2009 in and around the city of Kaposvár.

The largest city in the Kunhegyes District, the Syaran Commonality Armed Forces originally planned to bypass Kaposvár and its sister city Kunhegyes to avoid pitched urban battles and focus on breaking into the strategic depths of Army Group North. With the main advance spearheaded by 7th Army, 2nd Army was assigned to hold the northern flank of the Syaran offensive. Between 20-20 May 2nd Army rolled back the Ruvelkan forces of Third Army, pushing the bulk of Ruvelkan forces back into Kaposvár itself. Originally intended just to hold the line, Syara's defeat in the Battle of Soltvadkert, combined with continued Ruvelkan resistance along both the northern and southern flank of Army Group Alpha led Field Marshal Nikodemos Cvetkov to refocus Syaran intentions on capturing the two urban areas.

In early June the Syaran 2nd Army swung north along Lake Koryal, breaking through Ruvelkan defenses and encircling the city on all sides. Once it became clear that a breakout attempt was not feasible due to the inability of the 7th Mátészalka Front to come to their aid, the remaining Ruvelkan defenders dug into the city determined to resist as long as possible. Wary of protracted urban fighting and the casualties they entailed, the Syarans instead cut the city's water supply from Lake Koryal while subjecting the defending forces to a sustained artillery barrages for days on end. By the end of June depleting water supplies and low ammunition led to steady Syaran gains, culminating the capture of the city on 2 July and the surrender of 60,000 Ruvelkans.

The loss of the city was a blow to Ruvelkan morale, and along with the Battle of Kunhegyes, led Ruvelka to commence Operation Eclipse. Despite being seen as a major victory for Syara, Syaran leadership was less thrilled, notably Field Marshal Cvetkov who considered the succesful capture of the city a minor affair compared to Syara's overall failure in Operation Harpe.