In the aftermath of Frederick the Great’s impressive victory at Rossbach,
the dynamics of the war changed significantly. Things were finally looking up for Prussia,
although their position was far, far from safe. The French retreat after Rossbach was marked,
according to Fraser, by “more than a customary atrocity.” “Destruction was indiscriminate,
churches and altars were defiled, the country people treated deplorably.” Despite this,
Frederick could not shake the uneasy feeling of defeating his former allies:
“'I can never get used to looking on the French as my enemies' (Archenholtz, 1840,1, 116).”
Rossbach, at best, allowed Frederick to focus on other dangers. Mainly the
Austrians. Frederick knew this. He later wrote: 'strictly speaking, the battle of Rossbach merely
afforded me the freedom to go in search of new dangers in Silesia' (Oeuvres, IV, 156).”
Upon his success, Frederick’s cousin, King George II of England, reconsidered
the peace of Klosterzeven and rejoined the war on Prussia’s side. His son, the Duke of Cumberland,
had been a disappointment. Frederick knew just the man for the job. Frederick’s brother-in-law
Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick, took over. His British-financed army would control the
western front, fighting several iconic battles. First, it is worth briefly looking at the other
fronts to the east and north. To begin with, the Russians: camped in their winter quarters
in Livonia and Courland by late October, these didn’t pose a worry for Frederick. Earlier,
he ordered the old General Hans von Lehwaldt’s return from the Duchy,
and organise Pomerania’s defence. There would be no battle until the harsh winter was over.
In Brandenburg, a minor Prussian force of ten militia battalions and a hussar squadron kept
the Swedes in check. The Swedes weren’t eager to invade Prussia’s heartland anyway. Skirmishes
led to retreat upon retreat, where the only casualties often were “one wounded”. Russian
general Saltykov remarked, “They [the Swedes] were brave once, but now their time is past.”
So the western, northern and eastern fronts of the war were relatively under control,
for now. But that did not mean Frederick was free of worry. The Austrians were dead-set on crushing
the Prussian army in Silesia. Silesia lay more or less open for them, after the Austrian victory at
the battle of Moys. Sure, Bevern fought all the way during his retreat, but heavily outnumbered,
there was not much he could do. His retreat sacrificed strong points of defence.
As Charles pursued Bevern, with the characteristic Austrian sluggishness,
he dispatched a 12.000-strong force under Ernst Dietrich Freiherr von Marschall. He held Lusatia,
protecting the flank of the Austrians moving into Silesia. One day after his victory at Rossbach,
Frederick collected his tired and worn-out army, likely no more than 15.000. A gruelling march lay
before them. Autumn and early winter were an unusual time for a campaign such as this one,
but for now, the mild weather assisted him. Prince Henry maintained Leipzig, and Keith took an army
of equal size to make a feint attack against Prague and hopefully split up the Austrian army.
We have to briefly look more in-depth at the Austrian operations in Bohemia, Silesia and
Saxony the month before Rossbach. Already in October, worrying information reached
Frederick. Early that month, General Nadasdy laid siege to the iconic fortress of Schweidnitz with
some 43.000 soldiers and plenty of big guns. The Austrians surrounded the vital fortress,
and cut it off from Bevern’s lines, as part of the army marched against Breslau. Bevern
did manage to successfully pull back to Breslau. However, Breslau was in poor shape. Its population
wasn’t necessarily pro-Prussian, and its walls and defences were crumbling. Bevern decided to
entrench his army in the southern suburbs of the city. All this happened in early October. But as
we have come to know the Austrian campaign, it stagnated thanks to sluggish decision-making.
This window provided Bevern with the very welcome opportunity to prepare for the approaching battle.
As for Schweidnitz, the fortress held out against multiple assaults and continuous bombardments
for over a month. They did not surrender until November 12, after inflicting heavy casualties
against the Austrians. But the fortress was reduced to mostly rubble; the Austrians won. They
captured 180 guns, 48 colours, 333.600 talers, two months' worth of rations and 5971 prisoners among
them 4 generals and 194 officers. The Prussians suffered 200 casualties and 911 deserters. The
Austrians lost 3000 men, of whom 1200 killed or wounded.
This opened the road to Breslau and freed up Nadasdy’s troops. They joined Prince
Charles’ army, which now numbered over 80.000 men. When news of Schweidnitz’capitulation
reached Frederick, he was livid. He wrote Bevern he blamed him personally for the loss
of the fortress since he didn’t mount a relief effort. “If Bevern and Generals Friedrich Kyau
and Johann Lestwitz continued to act like old wh*res, they would answer with their
heads. As would all other generals who allowed themselves to be ruled by cowardice and weakness.”
Meanwhile, word of Frederick’s victory at Rossbach reached the Austrian camp.
They realised the Prussian King would surely attempt to thwart their advance. Prince Charles
did not feel like fighting in front of Breslau, but Maria Theresa and Daun overruled him.
When Frederick arrived at his quarters close-by, heavy bombardment and gunfire were audible.
He didn’t know it yet but later learned the Austrians stormed Bevern’s camp,
in what became the Battle of Breslau.
[Fraser, 397]
[Battle Formations]
The Battle of Breslau was quite a muddled affair, with multiple fronts going on.
Prince Charles commanded up to 85.000 soldiers. At least 60,381 infantry
in 96 battalions, 93 grenadier companies and 23,220 cavalry in 141 squadrons. Additionally,
they fielded 228 artillery pieces. In contrast, Bevern commanded between 21- and
28,400 troops. 40 battalions and 102 squadrons. The Prussians were significantly outnumbered.
However, the Oder and Lohe provided impassable defences. Bevern positioned the Prussian army
between Kosel in the north and Grabschen to the south. His lines extended to Neudorf
in the east. His army was snugly entrenched, with infantry defending strategic villages.
He hoped it would make up for his numerical inferiority. Zieten held the Prussian left between
Krieten and Kleinburg (Borek). Lieutenant-General von Lestwitz commanded infantry at Hofchen.
The Prussians erected defences south of Grabschen and Gabitz (Gajowicka).
The battle was preceded by two days of heavy artillery shelling from both sides. The Austrians,
mauled by heavy fire, installed seven pontoon bridges across the Lohe.
Three north-west of Scmeidefeld and four south-east of Klein Mochbern.
By the early morning of November 22 the Austrians finished deploying, from Masselwitz all the way to
Hartlieb. The cavalry followed the infantry. Charles on the left, Nadasdy on the right.
The reserves under General Wied deployed behind Gross-Mochbern.
[Battle sequence Nadasdy]
The battle commenced with Nadasdy’s three columns advancing across the pontoon bridges.
He wanted to attack the entrenchments at Gabitz. Meanwhile, to the far north, Beck advanced from
the northwest. He quickly expelled the minor Prussian force holding Ostwitz. Then, he installed
three artillery pieces on the banks of the Oder, launching volleys for the remainder of the day.
The Duke of Bevern did not believe Charles’ main attack would be across his western flank,
reinforcing Zieten’s flank. Nadasdy’s grenadiers launched an attack against Kleinburg.
Neither commander dared to commit their full force. The outnumbered Prussian battalion defended
the village with vigour. Instead of retreating, they ended up yielding the village and taking
their positions in the entrenchments to its north. From Gabitz, the infantry counter-attacked.
They reconquered the village and set fire to it, before returning to the entrenchments.
Zieten’s hussars chased the fleeing Austrians. Nadasdy ordered his entire army to retreat to
their original positions. Neither side dared to commit their full numbers. As
the status quo returned, Zieten relayed to Bevern how Nadasdy’s sizeable force
would surely attempt another counter-attack. In the event,
he would not. But for the remainder of the battle, Zieten and Nadasdy remained face-to-face,
not engaging in combat. This was especially bad for the Prussians, as it hogged valuable manpower.
[Main army battle sequence]
To the west, the battle was much more intense. At 12:30 PM, the entire Austrian army,
including reserves, began its march across the Pontoon bridges. Additionally,
some light infantry and 1000 regular infantry crossed the dense Pilsnitz forest
from the north to launch an attack against the Prussian right flank.
The army crossing the bridge at Gross-Mochbern rapidly advanced. They faced fierce resistance
at Klein Mochbern and suffered an infantry charge between Klein-Mochbern and Grabschen.
Lieutenant-General Pennaivaire led his cuirassier brigade against the Austrian infantry.
Sustaining heavy casualties, they barely inflicted any damage. During the charge,
Pennavaire was mortally wounded. By this time, the Austrians seized
the abandoned redoubts, installing their artillery there. Shortly after, the entire Prussian infantry
was evicted from the villages and the Austrians took over. The infantry began their retreat
towards the entrenchments near Gabitz. Bevern ordered several cavalry squadrons
to launch another cavalry charge against the Austrian grenadiers holding Grabschen.
But thanks to additional reinforcements who crossed the bridge, the cavalry
was easily repelled. Lestwitz’s left flank was threatened by Austrians holding these villages.
[Attack from Neukirch]
As combat continued between Klein-Mochbern and Grabschen, Macquire (infantry) and
Arenberg (cavalry) had crossed the Lohe from Neukirch towards Schmiedfeld.
Because they were exposed to the Prussian artillery, they suffered many more casualties.
But their attack against the entrenchments around Schmiedfeld favoured them. Heavy combat commenced,
as the Prussians reportedly “resisted until all ammunition was expended.”
Reinforcements sent by Lestwitz could not change the course of battle.
Near Hofchen, Wied launched a frontal charge against the weakening infantry. They resisted
until the Austrians around Klein-Mochber were close to
circling around them. They retreated, yielding Hofchen and its redoubts to the Austrians.
[Attack against Pilsnitz]
The assault in the north focused beyond Pilsnitz. Kyau and Lestwitz desperately defended the
crossing against overwhelming numbers. Not to mention the increasing danger of flanking from
the south. The marshy and uneven terrain, in combination with accurate Prussian artillery
shelling, saw Austrian casualties mount. Supported by cavalry, the infantry launched
three charges against the redoubts around Pilsnitz. Both sides suffered heavy casualties.
But each time, the Austrians were driven back. To their north, the Prussian Feldjager engaged
in guerilla-like combat against the Austrian Grenzers, trekking through the Pilsnitz Forest.
These skirmishes continued throughout the day but saw no fruitful incursions by the Austrians.
As the sun began setting at 5:30 PM, the Austrians launched their fourth assault.
This time, it proved successful. The Prussian infantry retreated,
and the Austrians rapidly seized the redoubts, but could not continue past
the trenches dug behind them. They didn’t want to anyway; it was getting too dark.
Behind the frontlines, throughout the day Bevern scrambled to collect forces and
launch a counter-attack. He decided Wied’s reserve corps was the most viable target.
At around 6 PM, he collected 14 battalions, ready to launch an attack.
They launched an attack against the Austrians at Schmiedefeld, Hofchen and Klein-Mochbern.
Heavy combat around the villages followed. The Prussian assault was only broken thanks
to the intervention of Austrian cavalry on both flanks, threatening to cut them off.
Klein-Gandau became Prussia’s most forward base. No attempts were made to attempt and seize it.
The armies fought for 15 hours that day. The front extended 11 kilometres. It can safely
be said the Austrians had the upper hand, but the Prussians sure fiercely resisted,
despite being outnumbered nearly three-to-one. Only Zieten’s wing maintained its original
positions, thanks to Nadasdy’s inaction. It is unclear what happened that night. Some
sources indicate Bevern wanted to launch a counter-attack the next day. Other sources
indicate he ordered the general retreat. All that is for sure is that during nighttime,
in utter silence, the Prussian army began its retreat via Breslau, across the Oder. General
Lestwitz and ten battalions remained behind to defend Breslau against the inevitable siege.
The casualties were significant. The Prussians lost 6350 men, at least 800 killed, among whom
one general and 150 officers. Three generals were mortally wounded. Another 3800 men deserted,
and some 700 men were captured. In total, the Austrian casualties numbered
some 5800. 649 soldiers and 44 officers were killed. 235 officers and 4464 men were wounded.
Another 460 were missing. They lost one general, and six wounded.
[Text: "To Stettin, I say, your official post in time of peace! Command me the invalid Garrison
there; you are fit for nothing better!" Frederick the Great to the Duke of Bevern]
[Aftermath]
The way the Battle of Breslau ended, was perhaps a bit sudden and definitely wasn’t a traditional
victory or defeat. The retreat, though arguably understandable, did not sit well with Frederick.
The Prussian King was close to the battle, after all. Bevern certainly felt his wrath. It just so
happened, as he retreated, Bevern received the King’s opinion on the fall of Schweidnitz.
He could guess the King’s response to his retreat from Breslau. That night, Bevern stumbled upon
an Austrian outpost. He supposedly mistook it for a Prussian outpost and allowed himself to
be captured. It is generally believed this was done on purpose, in order to avoid the
(likely capital) punishment Frederick threatened him with. Although this has never been proven.
Bevern was taken to Vienna. After one year, he was later released without asking for ransom
thanks to his family ties to the royal family. Upon his return to Prussia, Frederick
appointed him as governor of Stettin, but not before again fighting on the Prussian side.
Though the King continued to despise him. The capture of Breslau added another one,
and frankly the final, Silesian stronghold to the Austrian tally. They controlled the
province now. To the west, Frederick commanded an army outnumbered at least three-to-one. Just like
at Rossbach, the future of his Kingdom depended on what happened next. Against all rules of warfare,
Frederick decided to seek confrontation with the much larger army. It culminated
in the legendary Battle of Leuthen. Thank you for watching this video.