Victory Against All Odds

Charles, in a move of surprising boldness, marched on Frederick’s camp in Bohemia. He occupied the hills that Frederick, in a lapse of judgment, had failed to fortify. Frederick was undeterred. He formed his forces in columns and lunged at …

1745-09-30

FW04

Charles, in a move of surprising boldness, marched on Frederick’s camp in Bohemia. He occupied the hills that Frederick, in a lapse of judgment, had failed to fortify. Frederick was undeterred. He formed his forces in columns and lunged at Charles. The initial attack of cavalry and grenadiers was thrown back, but the second line, under the capable Ferdinand of Brunswick, carried the hills. Frederick’s victory was not brilliant, but the Austrians took heavier losses as they were forced off the heights. The real honors belonged to the soldiers of Prussia, who braved withering fire of musket and heavy guns. Through stubborn determination they saved Frederick from a seemingly hopeless situation. The Prussian Army had now proven beyond all doubt that it was the finest in all of Europe. After Soor, Frederick successfully halted the Austrian and Saxon drive on Berlin. Maria was now on the brink of giving up the struggle.

Soor, Hajnice, Bohemia

The Battle of Soor (30 September 1745) was a battle between Frederick the Great's Prussian army and an Austro-Saxon army led by Prince Charles Alexander of Lorraine during the Second Silesian War (part of the War of the Austrian Succession). The battle occurred in the vicinity of Soor, also known as Hajnice, in the modern day Czech Republic. The battle started with a failed Austrian surprise attack on the outnumbered Prussians. Despite initial setbacks the Prussian army managed to defeat the Austrians, due to an unexpected attack from a reserve regiment that refused to follow Frederick's orders.

Wikipedia: Battle of Soor

Prussian

Austrian