1. Rossbach November 5, 1757 Strategic Context Stakes
The Seven Years’ War begins in Europe with a Prussian seizure of Saxony in Backed only by Britain, Frederick the Great’s Prussia finds itself surrounded and operating on interior lines against virtually all other European powers for survival, a coalition of France, Austria, Russia, Spain, Sweden, and Bavaria. In May 1757, Frederick invades the Austrian province of Bohemia and besieges Prague until an Austrian army forces him to withdraw after two desperate field battles at Prague and Kolin. The coalition plans subsequent invasions of Saxony, Brandenburg, East Prussia, and Silesia. Frederick, seeking an opportunity to defeat these armies in detail one at a time, marches west against the Franco-Austrian army invading Saxony. The combined Franco-Austrian army is suffering from desertion and a disunity between its two commanders.
Stakes
+ A Franco-Austrian victory would tighten the noose around Prussia and begin to deplete its pool of manpower and resources.
+ A Prussian victory would allow Frederick to march east and counter the Austrian invasion of Silesia.
By Jonathan Webb, 2016

2. Rossbach, 1757 Strength Franco-Austrian Army Well Prussian Army Well
Joseph von Saxe-Hilburghausen
Frederick the Great
Charles de Rohan, Prince de Soubise
34,000 infantry
16,600 infantry
7,500 cavalry
5,400 cavalry
114 guns
79 guns
By Jonathan Webb, 2016

3. Europe c. 1756

4. (Saxe-Hilburghausen/Soubise)
The battlefield is relatively open with an extensive road network for movement. However, maneuver is somewhat restricted by the considerable number of small villages and a few large patches of woods, especially near the center of the battlefield. The terrain features many hills and changes in elevation, which while relatively gentle in slope, restrict line of sight across the battlefield. 1
2 km
Prussian Army
(Frederick)
Grumpa
Kayna
Eichstadt Stream
Mucheln
Janus Hill
Braunsdorf
Bedra
Schortau Heights
Schortau
Lundstedt
Leiba
Reichertswerben
Rossbach
Almsdorf
Grost
Branderoda
Tagewerben
Rustadt
Zeuchfeld
Obschutz
Franco-Austrian Army
(Saxe-Hilburghausen/Soubise)
Storkau

5. Franco-Austrian Army Prussian Army
Seydlitz sends his second wave cavalry to outflank the vanguard Franco-Austrian cavalry, which routs through its own second wave supporting cavalry, severely disrupting them. Behind this swirling cavalry battle, the Prussian infantry complete their redeployment and form an obtuse angle against the oncoming Franco-Austrian infantry columns.
With steady Prussian artillery fire and well-disciplined volleys from the infantry hitting the Franco-Austrian formation in enfilade, the formation becomes a disorganized mob in minutes. Meanwhile, Seydlitz reforms the Prussian cavalry near Tagewerben and leads them against the Franco-Austrian flank, routing them completely.
The Franco-Austrian infantry surrender or flee. Their withdrawal is covered by St. Germain’s corps, the only Franco-Austrian units to leave the field in good order.
The Franco-Imperial army turns northeast as it continues its long outflanking march, the cavalry edging further ahead of the infantry. At 1515, the Prussian heavy guns on Janus Hill open fire at the leading Franco-Austrian cavalry, causing them to quicken their pace and create an even wider gap from their infantry. Seydlitz sends his first wave of cavalry in a charge against the vanguard Franco-Austrian cavalry but the attack is stayed.
The second wave Franco-Austrian cavalry attempt to counterattack but fail; the Prussian cavalry rout them and by 1600 virtually all Franco-Austrian cavalry have surrendered or drifted south, pursued by the Prussian cavalry. Meanwhile, the Franco-Austrian infantry columns begin to experience steady artillery fire from Moller’s heavy guns on Janus Hill. The Prussian infantry allow their Franco-Imperial counterparts to come within 40 paces before firing a devastating volley. The Franco-Imperial infantry attack in column against the Prussian line formation.
Concealed by a screening force under St. Germain and the various hills, the Franco-Austrian columns begin to turn east around 1400 in the afternoon. Further reports of a major Franco-Austrian maneuver reach Frederick, who is still skeptical. However, once Frederick sees for himself at 1430, he quickly issues order for a major redeployment of the Prussian army to ambush the Franco-Austrian columns by crossing the “T” of their advance. Frederick gives command of all the cavalry to Seydlitz, and orders him to march northeast then south to block the enemy advance. Frederick orders Moller to take 18 heavy guns and set up at the crest of Janus Hill. Frederick leaves token infantry forces near Rossbach and begins marching the infantry northeast. By 1500, the entire Prussian army is on the march, its movements completely undetected behind Janus Hill.
The combined Franco-Imperial army deploys along the Schortau Heights with Soubise commanding the 11,000-strong French contingent and Saxe-Hilburghausen commanding the larger 31,000-strong Austrian contingent. The two commanders plan to screen their camp with minimal forces and march the army south then east in order to envelop the Prussian left. The Prussian army deploys among the hills near Rossbach; Frederick plans to await the Franco-Imperial army’s first move given its superior numbers and strong position.
At 0800, some Franco-Austrian cavalry demonstrate as if to attack Rossbach. Behind this screen, the Franco-Austrian army begins its march south with cavalry leading in front of long columns of infantry. Prussian scouts report commotion in the Franco-Austrian camp and the demonstration to Frederick; Frederick orders the army to stand-to but otherwise thinks little of these reports. 1
2 km
Prussian Army
(Frederick)
Landmarks
Eichstadt Stream
Grumpa
Kayna
Frederick
Mucheln
Janus Hill
Braunsdorf
Bedra
Schortau Heights
Franco-Austrian Army Prussian Army
Infantry Infantry
Cavalry Cavalry
Artillery
Seydlitz
Schortau
Lundstedt
Leiba
Reichertswerben
Rossbach
Almsdorf
Grost
St. Germain
Branderoda
Franco-Austrian Army
(Joseph von Saxe-Hilburghausen/ Charles de Rohan, Prince de Soubise)
34,000 infantry
7,500 cavalry
114 guns
Prussian Army
(Frederick the Great)
16,6000 infantry
5,400 cavalry
79 guns
Tagewerben
Rustadt
Seydlitz
Zeuchfeld
Obschutz
Symbol guide
Franco-Austrian Army
(Saxe-Hilburghausen/Soubise)
Saxe-Hilburghausen/ Soubise
Storkau

6. Rossbach, 1757 Casualties & Aftermath
Franco-Austrian Army:
Prussian Army:
10,150 or
24%
550 or 2%
Frederick quickly marched east against the Austrian army invading Silesia, defeating it at the Battle of Leuthen and briefly invading Austria. Frederick’s triumphs at Rossbach and Leuthen helped him survive the first few years of the war against many superior foes. By 1761, virtually all armies were exhausted as Frederick’s enemies slowly wore Prussia down. In 1762, a miracle occurred: the Russian Empress died and was succeeded by the more sympathetic Peter II, who made peace with Prussia and recalled Russian armies. In 1763, the Seven Years’ War ended in Europe with no significant changes in borders.
By Jonathan Webb, 2016

7. The Art of Battle: Animated Battle Maps
By Jonathan Webb, 2016