Leuthen December 5, 1757 Strategic Context The Seven Years’ War begins! Backed only by Britain after attacking Saxony, Prussia finds itself surrounded and operating on interior lines against nearly all of Europe for survival. Frederick the Great returns from his decisive victory at Rossbach to discover Breslau’s surrender, which means Charles of Lorraine holds all of Silesia. Frederick unexpectedly marches his army against the Austrians rather than settle into winter quarters while Charles wins a heated debate in the Austrian camp and therefore marches out to meet the Prussians. Stakes + A Prussian victory would reestablish control over Silesia and allow Frederick to concentrate his forces against another threat to Prussia’s borders. + An Austrian victory would tighten the noose around Prussia and begin to deplete its pool of manpower and resources. By Jonathan Webb, 2009 ©

Leuthen, 1757 Strength  Prussian Army  Well  Austrian Army  Well  Frederick the Great  24,000 infantry  167 guns  12,000 cavalry  Charles of Lorraine  210 guns  15,000 cavalry  50,000 infantry By Jonathan Webb, 2009 ©

Charles deploys his army in two long lines, centered on the town of Leuthen with his right wing protected by marshland. Cavalry units are placed on his flanks just behind the line and artillery in front of the line. Frederick deploys his army in a standard formation with infantry in the center and cavalry on its flanks, his artillery absent as it is still being drawn up. Frederick makes a feint attack with some cavalry on the Austrian right and by chance intercepts a scouting patrol, sending it back to the line in a frenzy. Lucchessi believes himself to be the target of the main Prussian assault and requests aid. Charles, lacking effective reconnaissance, shifts his cavalry reserves to meet this apparent threat. Frederick withdraws his cavalry and marches the rest of his army in perfect parade formation parallel to the Austrian line behind a hill, hidden from Austrian view. Charles sends no scouts because he still anticipates an attack on his right. When no attack comes he assumes that the Prussians had intended to attack but realized the magnitude of the Austrian force and hastily withdrew. The Prussians suddenly reappear on the Austrian left and begin to roll up the Austrian line. A determined attack by an Austrian cavalry unit halts the Prussians for a moment before being swept away by Wedel’s infantry and cavalry. Nadasdy desperately requests reinforcements but by this time the Austrian reserves are all on the right. Nadasdy Lucchessi Charles RetzowWedel Driesen Prussian Army (Frederick) Prussian Army (Frederick the Great) 24,000 infantry 12,000 cavalry 167 guns Austrian Army (Charles) Austrian Army (Charles of Lorraine) 50,000 infantry 15,000 cavalry 210 guns

Charles turns his army to face the Prussians but by this time they have drawn up their artillery and, with a fierce attack by Wedel, force another portion of the Austrian line to retreat. Charles’ army is in complete disarray so he packs as much infantry as he can into Leuthen to gain time to recall his cavalry and form a new line above the town. The Prussians suddenly reappear on the Austrian left and begin to roll up the Austrian line. A determined attack by an Austrian cavalry unit halts the Prussians for a moment before being swept away by Wedel’s infantry and cavalry. Nadasdy desperately requests reinforcements but by this time the Austrian reserves are all on the right. The Prussians advance, neutralizing the remaining Austrian artillery in the area and bringing up their own. Unfortunately for the Austrians, the volume of infantry compacted into Leuthen make easy targets for the Prussian artillery. After vicious house-to-house fighting, the Austrians are expelled from the town but Charles gains the time he needs to recreate his line. RetzowWedel Driesen Nadasdy Lucchessi Charles Nadasdy Lucchessi Charles WedelRetzow Charles Prussian Army (Frederick) Prussian Army (Frederick the Great) 24,000 infantry 12,000 cavalry 167 guns Austrian Army (Charles) Austrian Army (Charles of Lorraine) 50,000 infantry 15,000 cavalry 210 guns

The Prussians advance, neutralizing the remaining Austrian artillery in the area and bringing up their own. Unfortunately for the Austrians, the volume of infantry compacted into Leuthen make easy targets for the Prussian artillery. After vicious house-to-house fighting, the Austrians are expelled from the town but Charles gains the time he needs to recreate his line. Charles attempts to pin down and then surround the Prussian units in Leuthen but Frederick orders his artillery to set up on a small ridge. This artillery lays down a murderous barrage and forces another Austrian withdrawal while Charles has at last readied his right wing cavalry for an attack. Charles orders Lucchessi to launch a counterstroke against Retzow’s seemingly exposed left flank with a large cavalry force. Frederick commits his final reserve: cavalry under Driesen which so far has refused battle. Driesen attacks the rear of the unsuspecting Austrian cavalry, killing Lucchessi and scattering the entire force. Frederick pins the Austrian front with Retzow’s infantry and attacks its right flank and rear with Driesen’s cavalry. Charles sees his right flank is hopeless and orders a general retreat, giving the field to Frederick. Driesen Lucchessi Charles WedelRetzow Prussian Army (Frederick) Prussian Army (Frederick the Great) 24,000 infantry 12,000 cavalry 167 guns Austrian Army (Charles) Austrian Army (Charles of Lorraine) 50,000 infantry 15,000 cavalry 210 guns

Leuthen, 1757 Casualties & Aftermath Prussian Army: Austrian Army: 6,500 or 18% 22,000 or 34% By Jonathan Webb, 2009 © The Austrians never seriously threatened Prussian Silesia again; their disastrous defeat at Leuthen opened Austria up to Prussian invasion although it did not succeed. Nonetheless, Frederick’s triumph at Leuthen helped him survive the first few years of the war against many superior foes.

The Art of Battle: Animated Battle Maps By Jonathan Webb, 2009 ©