Danevirke - Second War of Schleswig

Second War of Schleswig

The last military use of the Danevirke was during the Second War of Schleswig in 1864. Due especially to the above-mentioned emotive nationalist symbolism, public opinion in Denmark had expected the coming battle to take place here, and the Danevirke was already under attack, although no battle took place there (except some early skirmishing near south of it), as the Danish Commander in Chief, General de Meza, withdrew to the trenches at Dybbøl due to threat of being outflanked, as the Schlei and the wetlands between the Danevirke and Husum had frozen solid in a hard winter; also, the territory immediately in front of the Danevirke had already fallen into German hands. This retreat came as a surprise to the Austro-Prussian army, and almost all of the Danish army succeeded in completing the evacuation. It resulted, however, in the abandonment of important pieces of heavy artillery, and it remains a matter of historical debate why the railway to Flensburg was never properly used for the evacuation. News of the retreat came as a great shock to Danish public opinion which had considered the Danevirke to be impregnable, and General de Meza was promptly relieved of his command.

The Danevirke has remained in German possession ever since.