Conflict: War of the Austrian Succession
Combatants: Holy Roman Empire vs. Prussia
Location: Poland
Outcome: Prussian victory
With Austria returning all Bavarian territory to Maximillian III Joseph, Frederick the Great found his Prussian army cutoff from his allies. An Imperial Army of 85,000 Austrians and Saxons commanded by Prince Charles of Lorraine then crossed the Sudeten Mountains to assault the Prussians in Poland.
On June 4th of 1745, Frederick the Great, with 65,000 soldiers, struck first. His army attacked the Imperial vanguard at Hohenfriedeberg and drove the Saxon contingent into retreat before the main army of Austrians could arrive. When the remainder of the army did arrive, the Prussians routed the Austrians as well. Prince Charles fled into Bohemia leaving thousands of casualties on the field and with Frederick in pursuit.
Points of Interest:
Hohenfriedeberg was the first of a series of defeats Frederick inflicted on Prince Charles and his Imperial Army. A treaty favorable to Prussia was concluded in December of 1745.
Frederick the Great is considered by military historians one of the greatest generals in history. He was adept at commanding and maneuvering his troops in such a way as to routinely defeat much larger armies.
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Sources:
Dupuy, Trevor N., Johnson, Curt, & Bongard, David L. (1992). The Harper's Encyclopedia of Military Biography. New York: Castle Books (HarperCollins).
Dupuy, R. Ernest & Dupuy, Trevor N. (1993). The Harper's Encyclopedia of Military History. New York: HarperCollins.
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