Johan Banér

Johan Banér (1596–1641) was a Swedish field marshal born at Djursholm in Uppland; he was four when his father was executed in the Linköping Bloodbath of 1600. Joining up in 1615, he distinguished himself at Pskov and became one of Gustavus Adolphus's foremost generals, leading the Swedish cavalry at Breitenfeld in 1631.

After Nördlingen he took command in Germany and restored Sweden's cause with victories at Wittstock in 1636 and Chemnitz in 1639. His last exploit was a midwinter surprise march on Regensburg in 1641, but the thawing ice prevented its capture. He died at Halberstadt in May 1641.