Battle of Hohenfriedberg (1745)

On June 4, 1745, Frederick the Great decisively defeated an Austro-Saxon army under Prince Charles Alexander of Lorraine at Hohenfriedberg. This victory during the Second Silesian War resulted in significant Austrian and Saxon losses and elevated Frederick's reputation.

Episodes

Background and detail

Strategic Context. Following the Treaty of Breslau in 1742, Prussia secured Silesia, a significant loss for Austria. In 1745, Austria allied with Saxony to counter Prussian influence. Frederick had previously failed in a 1744 Bohemian invasion due to logistical issues and Austrian attrition strategies, forcing a retreat to Silesia.

The Battle. By May 1745, Frederick assembled a force of 42,000 infantry, 17,000 cavalry, and 192 guns. On June 3, the Austro-Saxon army advanced into the plain between Hohenfriedberg and Kauder to hasten a presumed Prussian retreat. Frederick, expecting battle, engaged them on June 4, achieving a decisive victory.

Consequences. The battle resulted in approximately 4,000 burials on the battlefield. The Prussians captured 500 Austrians and 1,500 Saxons, including four generals. This success was a great victory for Frederick, leading contemporaries to begin calling him "Frederick the Great."

People involved

Sources

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