Combined Swedish-Hanoverian-Lüneburgian forces (guarantors by the treaty of Holstein-Gottorp, along with England and the Netherlands) of 17,500 men, under the supreme command of Nils Gyllenstierna, were ready to march towards the 20,000 strong Danish army under Ferdinand Willem, Duke of Württemberg, to relief the Siege of Tönning. Danish forces of 5,600 men were positioned partly behind the river of Bille, in a 45 kilometer long defensive line, in an attempt to block them.