Frederick’s Great Victory

Following his stunning victory over the French at Rossbach, Frederick had to confront the Austrian invasion of Silesia. Although the Austrians had taken Breslau, they were currently led by the hapless Charles, who Frederick had defeated in three previous battles. …

1757-12-05

FW06

Following his stunning victory over the French at Rossbach, Frederick had to confront the Austrian invasion of Silesia. Although the Austrians had taken Breslau, they were currently led by the hapless Charles, who Frederick had defeated in three previous battles. Although out-numbered nearly 3 to 1, Frederick knew the terrain. He used the hills to covering a daring flank march. When he struck, Charles was distracted and the Austrian left was held by Wurttemburg troops. These men were dispirited, and many had already defected to the Prussians. Frederick’s attack rolled up the flank and caused crippling losses. It was a great victory, but the Austrians would never be so easy to defeat again. Charles was removed and Maria Theresa stuck by the capable Daun and other generals.

Leuthen, Silesia, Prussia

The Battle of Leuthen was fought on 5 December 1757 and involved Frederick the Great's Prussian Army using maneuver warfare and terrain to rout a larger Austrian force completely, which was commanded by Prince Charles of Lorraine and Count Leopold Joseph von Daun. The victory ensured Prussian control of Silesia during the Third Silesian War, which was part of the Seven Years' War. The battle was fought in the town of Leuthen (now Lutynia, Poland), 10 km (6 mi) northwest of Breslau, (now Wrocław, Poland), in Prussian (formerly Austrian) Silesia. By exploiting the training of his troops and his superior knowledge of the terrain, Frederick created a diversion at one end of the battlefield and moved most of his smaller army behind a series of low hillocks. The surprise attack in oblique order on the unsuspecting Austrian flank baffled Prince Charles, who took several hours to realize that the main action was to his left, not his right. Within seven hours, the Prussians had destroyed the Austrians and erased any advantage that the Austrians had gained throughout the campaigning in the preceding summer and autumn. Within 48 hours, Frederick had laid siege to Breslau, which resulted in the city's surrender on 19–20 December.

Wikipedia: Battle of Leuthen

Prussian

Austrian