Difference between revisions of "1760 - Austro-Russian campaign in Silesia"

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In the night of August 2 to 3, Wolfersdorff's troops set off from the vicinity of Liegnitz and reached Neumarkt on August 3.
 
In the night of August 2 to 3, Wolfersdorff's troops set off from the vicinity of Liegnitz and reached Neumarkt on August 3.
  
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Revision as of 19:13, 5 August 2022

Hierarchical Path: Seven Years War (Main Page) >> Campaigns >> 1760 - Austro-Russian campaign in Silesia

The campaign lasted from March to October 1760

Description

Prelude to the Campaign

Order of Battle
Detailed order of battle of the Prussian forces operating in Silesia in mid-January.

In mid-January 1760, General of Infantry de la Motte-Fouqué, who commanded the Prussian forces in Silesia, set off from Leobschütz (present-day Głubczyce/PL) with 6 bns and 8 sqns of his corps and took position in the vicinity of Löwenberg (present-day Lwówek Śląski). Major-General von der Goltz assumed command of the 5 bns and 7 sqns left in Upper Silesia. Major-General von Schenckendorf covered the border near Landeshut (present-day Kamienna Góra) and Hirschberg (present-day Jelenia Góra/PL) with 11 bns and 9 sqns.

On January 14, Schmettau’s Corps advanced from Lauban (present-day Luban/PL) and Greiffenberg (present-day Gryfów Śląski/PL) to Görlitz. This corps had been reinforced to 13 bns and 25 sqns with troops sent by Fouqué and Goltz.

In mid-January, the corps of Feldzeugmeister Loudon reached the region of Komotau (present-day Chomutov/CZ). Fredericki II feared that, after the departure of the Hereditary Prince of Brunswick from Saxony with the Allied contingent, Loudon would advance in the direction of Leipzig and Magdeburg. It now seemed that the enemies wanted to use their main forces in Saxony. If ever London's Corps received reinforcements in the vicinity of Komotau, Frederick considered that he might temporarily recall Fouqué's Corps from Silesia to Saxony.

At the beginning of February 1760, FZM Loudon received orders, while he was in Brüx (present-day Most/CZ), to go to Upper Silesia to assume command of Austrian troops in the region. It was part of the Austrian plan, to gather a strong corps there and to make a junction with a Russian division to form an army under Loudon's supreme command.

In mid-February, Loudon went to Prague with the Grün Loudon Grenadiers and an artillery train.

By mid-February, Frederick was convinced that, for the coming campaign, Daun's main army would initially remain in its present positions, while Loudon's Corps (estimated at 20,000 men) would effect a junction with the Reichsarmee and advance through Thuringia towards Leipzig and Halberstadt. Beck would try to make a junction with a Russian corps in the vicinity of Glogau (present-day Głogów/PL) and Count Saltykov would lay siege to Colberg (present-day Kołobrzeg/PL) with his main army. Accordingly, Frederick decided to split his main army in two corps: an Army of Saxony under his own command and an Army of the Oder under Prince Heinrich. The latter would have to cover Glogau and Breslau (present-day Wroclaw/PL), and to inflict a defeat on the Russians before their main army set off from its winter-quarters. However, he was instructed to keep a force near Landeshut and, if necessary, to send troops to the relief of Neisse (present-day Nysa/PL).

At the end of February, Frederick learned that part of Loudon's Corps was marching towards Prague and that the Reichsarmee should advance on Gera. From an intercepted letter, he also learned that the main Austrian reinforcements would be directed towards Upper Silesia. Frederick estimated that he had enough time to redirect the Army of the Oder against the Russians and then send it back to Silesia. He thought that decision would be gained east of the Elbe River, not in Saxony.

Loudon's Raid on the Prussian magazines

On March 5, Loudon arrived at Brünn (present-day Brno/CZ) with his detachment. FML Count Campitelli assumed command of the Austrian corps left at Komotau.

After his arrival in Moravia, Loudon decided to follow a plan proposed by FML Drašković in Vienna in January. This plan called for the capture of the Prussian magazines in Leobschütz and Neustadt (present-day Prudnik/PL). When Drašković had proposed his plan, there were hesitations in Vienna about his capacity to conduct such an operation. Loudon was interested in this plan because he wanted to prevent the Prussians from over-exploiting Upper Silesia, and to seize provisions for his own campaign. Daun too was interested by this plan because such operations could draw some Prussian troops from Lusatia to Upper Silesia.

On March 10, Loudon was in Gross-Herrlitz (present-day Velké Heraltice/CZ), to the northwest of Troppau (present-day Opava/CZ). His troops were assembling along the frontier, taking accommodations between Troppau and Jägerndorf (present-day Krnov/CZ).

On March 13, Fouqué ordered a general muster for March 15.

On March 14 early in the morning, Loudon put an end to the ceasefire previously concluded with the Prussians. Baron von der Goltz, who commanded the Prussian forces in Upper Silesia, had already learned of Loudon's arrival and received reports of Austrian troops moving towards the frontier. Prussian troops were posted in Neustadt (Manteuffel Infantry and 1 sqn of Bayreuth Dragoons), Krappitz (present-day Krapkowice/PL) (III./Garrison Regiment Jung-Sydow), Ratibor (present-day Racibórz/PL) (1 sqn of Werner Hussars), Bauerwitz (present-day Baborów/PL) (1 sqn of Werner Hussars), Deutsch-Rasselwitz (present-day Racławice Śląskie/PL) (1 sqn of Bayreuth Dragoons), Mochau (present-day Mochów/PL) (1 sqn of Bayreuth Dragoons), Leobschütz (Grenadier Battalion Carlowitz and 1 sqn of Werner Hussars) and Ober-Glogau (present-day Głogówek/PL) (II./Mosel Infantry). They had made numerous detachments which were hastily recalled.

Goltz, who had taken quarter in Neustadt, decided to retire to Steinau (present-day Ścinawa Mała/PL) to avoid being cut from Neisse, and to reinforce the garrison of Cosel (present-day Koźle/PL) by transferring the III./Garrison Regiment Jung-Sydow from Krappitz.

In the night of March 14 to 15, Loudon advanced in the direction of Neustadt with the Löwenstein Chevaulegers, the Pálffy Cuirassiers and some grenadier coys. Drašković was supposed to follow him with 5 bns (1 bn of Kolowrat, 1 bn of Hildburghausen, 1 bn of Angern and 2 bns of Leopold Pálffy), while the Kálnoky Hussars and Nádasdy Hussars had been instructed to cut the line of communication of Goltz's detachment with Cosel. Furthermore, 4 regular bn (1bn Kaiser, 1 bn Los Rios, 1 bn Wallis, 1 bn Marschall), 1 Grenzer bn and 100 horse under Major-General von Vogelsang marched on Leobschütz; and 1 Grenzer bn was sent against Ratibor. These troops were much delayed by bad road conditions.

Order of Battle
Detailed order of battle of the Prussian forces operating in Silesia in mid-March.

On Saturday March 15

  • Prussians
    • Major-General von Grant marched, according to Goltz's orders, with the Grenadier Battalion Carlowitz and 2 sqns of hussars from Leobschütz towards Ober-Glogau. There this force would replace the II./Mosel Infantry and 2 sqns of Bayreuth Dragoons posted nearby, which would make a junction with Goltz's forces near Steinau. Grant reached Zülz (present-day Biała) unhindered.
    • Around 6:00 a.m., Goltz finally marched out of Neustadt under heavy rain with Manteuffel Infantry and 1 sqn of Bayreuth Dragoons. Goltz's party was about 2,000 men in all. Patrols reported the approach of the Austrian troops, but Goltz calmly continued his march towards Steinau.
    • Some 150 wagons and carts, transporting most of the content of the magazines of Neustadt, advanced on the road; 100 men under Captain von Zitzewitz formed the rearguard; 100 men under Captain von Blumenthal the vanguard; Manteuffel Infantry and the sqn of Bayreuth Dragoons marched by platoon along the wagons on the east side of the road.
  • Engagement near Neustadt
    • At daybreak, Loudon's column reached Neustadt as General von der Goltz was personally about to leave the place. Loudon was at the head of this column with his 2 cavalry rgts and 2 hussar sqns.
    • Loudon sent the Löwenstein Chevaulegers forward to block the road leading to Steinau, while he followed the Prussian column with the Pálffy Cuirassiers and the grenadiers.
    • Near Buchelsdorf (present-day Niemysłowice/PL), the Prussians found the road blocked by the Löwenstein Chevaulegers. At the same time, the two Austrian hussar rgts appeared from the east. Loudon then summoned Goltz to surrender. The latter rejected this summon and prepared to receive the attack. Manteuffel Infantry formed square round its baggage.
    • Immediately, the Pálffy Cuirassiers attacked the Prussian rearguard; the hussars, the leading platoons of Manteuffel Infantry; and the Löwenstein Chevaulegers, the vanguard.
    • Calmly, the Prussian infantry let the enemy cavalry come closer and then stopped them about ten paces short by an intense musket fire.
    • The Austrian cavalry wheeled back and charged again a second and a third time to no avail.
    • Manteuffel Infantry then took the road again. Loudon tried again and again, probably six times, to attack the Prussian detachment.
    • The Prussian convoy managed to reach cover in the forest between Siebenhuben (present-day Rudziczka k Prudnika/PL) and Steinau without major losses.
    • After crossing the forest, Goltz's convoy was once more surrounded. He rejected a new summon with a rudeness that ruled out all further negotiations.
    • A new attack of the Löwenstein Chevaulegers was driven back.
    • The Prussian convoy finally gained the hill in front of Steinau, where Goltz planned to make a junction with Grant's detachment. He remained there and allowed his troops to rest. The Austrians ceased their pursuit.
    • At nightfall, Goltz resumed his march towards Neisse.
    • In this action, the Prussians had lost only 35 men killed, 5 officers and 78 men wounded and 80 men missing (they had in fact deserted), 18 wagons and some country carts. The Austrians for their part had lost 300 men killed and 500 wounded

On March 16

  • Austrians
    • Loudon returned to Neustadt, highly disgruntled at this failure, which he attributed chiefly to the lack of zeal of his subordinates. However, it was more the firmness of Manteuffel Infantry and the Goltz's determination which had saved the small Prussian detachment. Frederick praised Goltz's conduct.
  • Prussians
    • Early in the morning, Goltz's detachment reached the Fortress of Neisse. Goltz then let his troops cantoned in and around Gross-Neundorf (present-day Złotogłowice/PL).
    • Grant's detachment marched northwards to Falkenberg (present-day Niemodlin/PL).

On March 17, Grant's detachment marched by way of Michelau (present-day Michałów/PL), where it crossed the Neisse River, destroying the bridge after its crossing, and reached Grottkau (present-day Grodków/PL).

On March 19

  • Austrians
  • Prussians
    • Goltz's and Grant's detachment effected a junction near Gross-Neundorf. The sqn left at Ratibor had retired to Cosel and, from there, had marched along the right bank of the Oder to Brieg, before making a junction with Goltz's corps.

Loudon returned to Jägerndorf. Te main body of his corps was then quartered in the region and outposts were established along a line extending from Weidenau (present-day Vidnava/CZ), Neustadt, Leobschütz and Ratibor.

When Fouqué learned of Loudon's raid, he sent 2 sqns of Malachowski Hussars from Landeshut to Upper Silesia. He also transferred II./Garrison Regiment Alt-Sydow from Breslau to Münsterberg (present-day Ziębice/PL); IV./Garrison Regiment Mellin, from Schweidnitz (present-day Swidnica/PL) to Frankenstein (present-day Zabkowice Slaskie/PL); and II./Mosel Infantry, to Neisse. These units later joined Goltz's Corps. Fouqué also intended, if Frederick approved, to advance with 12 bns towards the Neisse River and make a junction with Goltz. However, Loudon's retreat made this march unnecessary.

Opening of the Campaign

For the campaign of 1760, Austria and Russia agreed upon a concentration on the Oder. Feldzeugmeister Loudon had for the first time a separate command: the Army of Silesia counting 50,000 men. He would operate jointly with Count Saltykov at the head of 40,000 Russians. Loudon's objective was the conquest of Silesia. For this campaign, because of his former successes, FML Drašković was placed at the head of his own corps, which counted approximately 8,000 men. Meanwhile, Field-Marshal Daun with an army of 100,000 men would fix Frederick II in Saxony and would follow him if ever he marched to the rescue of Silesia.

During this time, Fouqué in his headquarters at Landeshut, was the Prussian general in charge of the Silesian frontier. He commanded some 13,000 men. Fouqué occupied a ring of fortified hills around Landeshut, with lot of well positioned batteries. Furthermore, the Prussians had some 4 or 6,000 men, under Lieutenant-General von der Goltz, guarding the Jagerndorf-Troppau border. Goltz's positions stretched by Neisse far eastward through the hills to Moravia. Finally, Prince Heinrich was at the head of the 40,000 men of the “Army of the Oder” which was waiting to face the Russian Army when it would arrive on this theatre of operation.

At the end of March, FML Campitelli confided command to FML Plunkett at Komotau and left to join Loudon's Corps.

At the beginning of April, Fouqué was informed of the arrival of several Grenzer bns with cavalry near Braunau (present-day Broumov/CZ). Convinced that the Austrians would soon advance by way of Silberberg (present-day Srebrna Góra/PL), he sent the I./Garrison Regiment Mellin, II./Garrison Regiment Mellin and 5 sqns of Bayreuth Dragoonss under Colonel von Bülow to Reichenbach (present-day Dzierżoniów/PL) to observe the passes of Silberberg and Peterswaldau (present-day Pieszyce/PL) and to cover the region against Austrian raiding parties. Furthermore, the IV./Garrison Regiment Lattorf joined Goltz's Corps.

By April 5, Frederick was convinced that the Austrians intended to reinforce Loudon's Corps in Upper Silesia to undertake the siege of Neisse. He decided to remain in Saxony with his own corps and to observe the movements of the enemies before committing his main force.

On April 6, Prince Heinrich assumed command of the Army of the Oder, destined to oppose the Russians. His army would assemble in Sagan (present-day Żagań/PL) on the Silesian border. From this position, he could advance towards Frankfurt/Oder or Pomerania, or he could make a junction with Fouqué's Corps in Upper Silesia. His army consisted of 40 bns and 70 sqns while Fouqué had 21 bns and 13 sqns.

On April 9, Lieutenant von Marklowski at the head of 50 Werner Hussars swam across the Neisse River near Ottmachau (present-day Otmuchów/PL) and, in the evening, surprised an outpost near Weidenau, which was defended by a picquet of the Löwenstein Chevaulegers. The Prussians captured part of the defenders.

In mid-April, when Frederick redirected Prince Heinrich's Army against the Russians, Fouqué was charged with the defence of Silesia. Frederick asked the latter to present him his thoughts on the conduct of operations in Silesia.

On April 18, Fouqué sent Frederick the requested report. Of the troops remaining under his command, there were 4 bns near Löwenberg, 8 bns near Landeshut, and the rest with Lieutenant-General von der Goltz. Fouqué intended to leave the detachment posted at Landeshut there, and to transfer the troops posted at Löwenberg and Goltz's detachment to Canth (present-day Kąty Wrocławskie/PL), between Breslau and Schweidnitz, to cover Breslau.

On April 21, Frederick answered Fouqué, informing him that he did not agree with his plan, which did not fit into his own wider operational plan. If Daun, as Frederick assumed, withdrew to Silesia with his main army, leaving only the Reichsarmee in Saxony, Frederick intended to leave only Hülsen's Corps encamped near Meissen and to march with 33 bns and 70 sqns by way of Lusatia to Naumburg/Queiss (present-day Nowogrodziec/PL) or Sagan. If Fouqué was posted at Canth at this time, he would be isolated, however, if he was posted near Löwenberg, he would be able to make a junction with Frederick's Army at Sagan, and, if necessary, to send reinforcements towards Glogau. Meanwhile, the detachment posted at Landeshut would have to withdraw to Schweidnitz if it was surrounded.

At the end of April, Loudon received orders from Vienna to set off from Bohemia with his corps and march to Lusatia, where a force of 40,000 men would be assembled under his command. Loudon would then make an incursion in Lower Silesia. FML Drašković would be left in Upper Silesia with 9,000 men to cover Moravia and the Fortress of Olmütz (present-day Olomouc/CZ).

On April 29, Drašković's Corps encamped near Kunzendorf (probably Hořejší Kunčice/CZ), south of Neustadt. This corps consisted of:

On May 1

  • Austrians
    • While Loudon was visiting Vienna and Daun's headquarters, his corps under FML Count Campitelli set off from Jägerndorf.
    • 5 Grenzer bns left the camp of Hotzenplotz (present-day Osoblaha/CZ) to join Loudon's Army assembling at Königgrätz (present-day Hradec Králové/CZ).

On May 10, Loudon's Corps reached the vicinity of Königgrätz, where it took up temporary quarters. This corps consisted of:

Considering that Prince Heinrich was posted at Sagan with his army, the plan to march into Lusatia was abandoned and Loudon was instructed to march through the County of Glatz (present-day Kłodzko/PL), into Silesia.

In mid-May

In the second half of May, some Austrian troops previously posted at Zittau joined Loudon at Königgrätz.

On May 18

On May 24, Loudon's vanguard marched to Nachod.

On May 25

  • Prussians
    • Fouqué wrote to Frederick to inform him that he feared an Austrian offensive between Glatz and Landeshut and that, in such a case, he considered retiring to Freiburg or Fürstenstein (present-day Zamek Książ/PL).
    • The Vice-Commander of Glatz, Lieutenant-Colonel d'O, informed Fouqué of the advance of Loudon's vanguard. When he received this information, Fouqué decided to retire to Freiburg.

Loudon's Incursion in Silesia

On May 27 and 28, Loudon's troops came out of their quarters and encamped near Rothkosteletz (present-day Červený Kostelec/CZ).

On May 28, Fouqué's Corps set off from Löwenberg and marched by way of Schönau (present-day Świerzawa/PL) and Bolkenhain (present-day Bolkow/PL).

By May 29, Loudon had assembled his corps at Rothkosteletz. In the evening, his vanguard under General von Losy marched by way of Wünschelburg (present-day Radków/PL) to secure the passes near Wartha (present-day Bardo/PL).

On May 29, Loudon quit Rothkosteletz and broke in upon Silesia, a long way to eastward of Fouqué.

In the night of May 29 to 30, Loudon's Corps set off from Rothkosteletz in two columns, covered by detachments posted on the heights near Neuheide (present-day Polanica Górna/PL) and Pischkowitz (present-day Piszkowice/PL). The right column took the road leading to Wünschelburg, where it rested before resuming its march to Wartha. The left column, under Loudon's direct command, took the road leading to Braunau and rested near Neurode (present-day Nowa Ruda/PL), while its vanguard occupied the Pass of Silbersberg (present-day Srebrna Góra/PL).

On May 30

On May 31

  • Austrians
    • At daybreak, Loudon's right column reached Wartha where it crossed the Neisse River and advanced towards Frankenstein.
    • In the morning, the left column crossed the Pass of Silberberg.
    • In the afternoon, the entire corps encamped near Frankenstein.
    • Major-General von Nauendorf advanced to the Castle of Kleutsch (present-day Pałac w Kluczowej/PL) with the Sachsen-Gotha Chevaulegers and the Nádasdy Hussars, occupying Nimptsch (present-day Niemcza/PL) and Reichenbach and sending 100 horse forward to Münsterberg, on the road leading to Neisse, to reconnoitre and to establish communication with Drašković's Corps, which had advanced from Kunzendorf towards Weidenau, occupying Ottmachau. Loudon intended to give his troops some rest while he would secure some provisions.
    • FML Baron Wolfersdorff concentrated the troops who had guarded the Moravian border near Deutsch Prausnitz (present-day Německá Brusnice).
  • Engagement near Tepliwoda
    • The II./Mosel Infantry, marching by way of Ludwigsdorf (unidentified location), reached Nimptsch unmolested. There, Captain von Pfuel, who led the battalion, learned that a corps of 6,000 Austrians had reached Frankenstein and established outposts on the Münsterberg. Nonetheless, he continued on his march to reach Neisse.
    • A party of Austrian cavalry spotted the Prussian bn between Tepliwoda (present-day Ciepłowody/PL) and Heinrichau (present-day Henryków/PL). Pfuel formed a square with his battalion and drove back several attacks of the Sachsen-Gotha Chevaulegers and Nádasdy Hussars.
    • At nightfall, the Prussian reached the Fortress of Neisse, having suffered only minor losses. For his conduct, Frederick would promote Pfuel to major.

At the end of May, Fouqué marched from Löwenberg with his corps to the vicinity of Freiburg. Meanwhile, the 15 bns and 15 sqns destined to join the army of Prince Heinrich remained in the area of Lauban, Greiffenberg, Löwenberg and Naumburg/Queiss under the command of Lieutenant-General von der Goltz.

Order of Battle
Detailed order of battle of the Austrian forces operating in Silesia in early June.

Detailed order of battle of the Prussian forces operating in Silesia in early June.

In the following days, Loudon learned from FML Beck, who was stationed near Zittau, of Fouqué's march from Löwenberg in the direction of Freiburg.

On June 1, Lieutenant-Colonel d'O informed Fouqué that the main body of Loudon's Corps had reached Wartha and was advancing on Neisse, and that FML Drašković had been charged to command the siege corps, estimated to 5,000 men. Fouqué immediately asked Prince Heinrich for support.

On June 3

  • Prussians
    • The detachment of Major-General Grant marched from Költschen towards Reichenbach.
  • Austrians
    • Loudon's outpost near Reichenbach came into contact with Grant's detachment, which was advancing from the Zobtenberg towards Reichenbach. Major-General von Nauendorf was wounded during a skirmish with Prussian hussars. Loudon, who had gone to the heights near Kleutsch, could not ascertain the exact strength of Grant's force which was hidden by dust clouds. However, he learned from deserters that it numbered no more than 4 bns and 8 sqns. Loudon then posted 4 grenadier bns and 1 Grenzer bn on these heights and prepared to take position between Kleutsch and Habendorf (present-day Owiesno/PL) with his army, if the Prussians advanced against him.

In the night of June 3 to 4, Grant's detachment retreated from Reichenbach in the direction of the Zobtenberg.

On June 4 in the afternoon, realising that Breslau and Schweidnitz were directly threatened, Fouqué decided to recall the forces posted at Landeshut and to abandon his positions at Freiburg to precede Loudon at Schweidnitz and Breslau. He immediately marched towards Würben (present-day Wierzbna) near Schweidnitz with his corps.

On June 5

  • Prussians
    • In the morning, Fouqué reached Würben, where he encamped. There he learned that an Austrian corps had reached Tepliwoda.
    • Major-General von Schenckendorff received the order to evacuate his post at Landeshut. He did not even take the time to remove or destroy the considerable magazine there, and left in great haste.
    • Schenckendorff's detachment made a junction with Fouqué's Corps at Würben the same day.
    • In the evening, Grant reported that Loudon was marching from Frankenstein in two columns towards Reichenbach and Nimptsch and that Drašković was advancing to Frankenstein.
  • Austrians
    • Wolfersdorffs Corps advanced from Prausnitz to Goldenöls (present-day Zlatá Olešnice/CZ). A detachment of his corps immediately occupied Landeshut. The content of the magazines was transferred to Trautenau (present-day Trutnov/CZ) and Jaromirz (present-day Jaromer/CZ).
    • Closely following up Fouqué, Loudon marched in two columns to Nimptsch and Reichenbach.
    • Loudon decided to march through the County of Glatz with his army for the planned siege of the Fortress of Glatz, leaving some cavalry in the plains in front of Silberberg to observe the Prussians. He also left detachments to occupy the passes at Silberberg and Wartha.

In the night of June 5 to 6, Loudon moved his reserve away from Silberberg.

Map of the manoeuvres who led to the Battle of Landeshut.
 
Source: Kriege Friedrichs des Grossen, volume 12 by the German Grosser Generalstab

On June 6

  • Austrians
    • Loudon's main body followed his reserve and marched by way of Wartha to Pischkowitz, where it encamped.
    • Nauendorf remained near Kleutsch with Sachsen-Gotha Chevaulegers, Löwenstein Chevauxlegers , Nádasdy Hussars, Bethlen Hussars, Grün Loudon Grenadiers (2 bns) and part of the Grenzer light troops.
    • The passes of Reichenstein (present-day Złoty Stok/PL), Wartha and Silberberg were occupied and fortified. A chain of outposts now completely isolated the Fortress of Glatz.
    • At Pischkowitz, Loudon was informed by General von Wolfersdorff that the Prussians had precipitously evacuated Landeshut, leaving behind a considerable magazine. At the same time, he received a message from Nauendorf, informing him that Fouqué was marching in the direction of Breslau. At first, Loudon considered this march to be a stratagem, intended to lure him out of his position, because he could not see any reason for Fouqué to rush towards Breslau. Consequently, Loudon remained in his camp, but he sent Wolfersdorff to occupy Landeshut, the Zeiskenberg (unidentified location) and Fürstenstein near Freiburg with 3 Grenzer bns under the command of Jahnus and Gaisruck. About 600 men were posted on the Buchberg.
  • Prussians
    • Fouqué set off from Würben and marched to Rommenau (present-day Romnów/PL), north of Canth, to cover Breslau. On his way, Fouqué received the answer of Prince Heinrich to his request for assistance. Not only did the prince put 6 bns from Goltz's detachment at Lauban and Löwenberg at his disposal, which Fouqué was only allowed to use in the most extreme of emergencies, but he also declared his readiness to support him with his entire army if Loudon were to descend from the mountains into the plains. Prince Heinrich considered that Loudon would not take the offensive but would remain in the vicinity of Frankenstein.
    • Fouqué established his new camp between the Schweidnitzer Wasser and the Striegauer Wasser. Fouqué also sent the III./Garrison Regiment Mellin to reinforce the garrison of Schweidnitz.
    • Grant was sent to Hartlieb (now part of Breslau), south of Breslau, to defend the crossing of the Lohe River.

On June 7

  • Austrians
    • Loudon invested Glatz.
  • Prussians
    • Frederick was informed of the evacuation of Landeshut by Fouqué's Corps. He considered this withdrawal too premature.

On June 8, Fouqué detached General von Grant to take position at Nimptsch.

On June 9

  • Prussians
    • Grant's detachment arrived at Nimptsch.
    • Fouqué followed Grant's detachment with his vanguard up to Heidersdorf (present-day Łagiewniki/PL) with 3 grenadier bns, 2 volunteer bns and 8 sqns. On his way, he surprised a hussar outpost at Jordansmühl (present-day Jordanów Śląski/PL) and captured 1 officer and 25 men.

On June 10, Fouqué marched by way of Reichenbach towards Gräditz (present-day Grodziszcze/PL) and Schwengfeld (present-day Makowice/PL).

On June 11

  • Austrians
    • Loudon wrote to Daun, explaining that he could neither take a proper position with his corps at Landeshut nor prevent the Prussians from advancing by way of Gottesberg (present-day Boguszów/PL) to Friedland (present-day Mieroszów/PL) or through the County of Glatz towards Nachod, but would then have to give up the position of Landeshut and retreat towards Trautenau.
    • Accordingly Loudon decided to retire his troops from Landeshut, because he had received news that Schmettau's Corps had set off from the Queiss and marched towards Goldberg (present-day Złotoryja/PL), while Prince Heinrich was also marching towards the same town. Nauendorf also informed Loudon that Fouqué was marching from Breslau towards Schweidnitz. Loudon thought that the Prussians planned to join their forces and to advance against him.
    • Loudon recalled Wolfersdorff's Corps and left only the Pálffy Hussars and 3 bns of Grenzer light troops under Major-General Jahnus at Landeshut. Jahnus had been instructed to retire to Starkstadt (present-day Stárkov/PL) if the Prussians advanced on Landeshut.
    • To cover Loudon's right flank, Drašković took position in the vicinity of Reichenstein, while Major-General Bethlen remained near Weidenau with the Kálnoky Hussars, a detachment of dragoons and 4 Grenzer bns.
    • Field Marshal Daun was of different opinion and considered the occupation of Landeshut as more important than the siege of Glatz and Loudon had to finally yield to his views.
  • Prussians
    • Frederick was informed that Loudon intended to lay siege to Glatz. Frederick immediately sent orders to Fouqué to recapture Landeshut.

On June 12

  • Austrians
    • Loudon sent FML Count Gaisruck to Landeshut with Königsegg Infantry, Leopold Pálffy Infantry and the Alt-Modena Cuirassiers with instruction to hold this position.
    • Soon afterwards, Loudon learned that the reports of the advance of Prince Heinrich and General von Schmettau had been erroneous, and that the Prince had taken the direction of Frankfurt/Oder instead. This movement greatly improved Loudon's situation. With Prince Heinrich fixed by the Russians, Loudon now insisted to lay siege to Glatz with the approval of Empress Maria Theresa. The heavy artillery immediately set off from Brünn.
  • Prussians
    • Major-General von Schenckendorff reached Gräditz by way of Schweidnitz, with the main body of Fouqué's Army, which encamped behind the Peile River.

In the night of June 13 to 14, Fouqué marched with 8 bns in two columns to attack the positions of General von Nauendorf in Kleutsch. Fouqué managed to drive back Nauendorf's outposts but the Austrians had time to retire and Fouqué returned to his camp.

On June 15 in the evening, Fouqué received the orders that Frederick had sent him on June 11, instructing him to recapture Landeshut.

On June 16

In the night of June 16 to 17

  • Austrians
    • Wolfersdorff received a request for assistance from Gaisruck and immediately set off from Friedland and marched across difficult terrain towards Landeshut.

On June 17

  • Confrontation at Landeshut
    • On June 17 around 10:00 a.m., after driving back light troops outposts, Fouqué's columns closed on the positions of the detachment (5 infantry bns, 3 Grenzer bns, Alt-Modena Cuirassiers, Pálffy Hussars) of FML Gaisruck on the Mummelberg and Buchberg, to the southeast of Landeshut, as well as on the Kirchberg, to the south of the town.
    • Fouqué learned that reinforcements were expected from Friedland. He decided to attack immediately. His artillery opened fire on the heights occupied by the enemy and Freibataillon Lüderitz and Freibataillon Collignon advanced along the ridge of Forst towards the entrenchments on the Mummelberg.
    • Schenckendorff veered towards the Leuschnerberg, northeast of Vogelsdorf, and sent a column under Colonel von Rosen from Hartmannsdorf by way of Kuhbank and then up the Bober valley towards Landeshut.
    • The threat to his rear prompted Gaisruck to vacate the occupied heights and to retire to the mountain range southeast of Reichhennersdorf (present-day Przedwojów/PL).
    • Fouqué was then able to reoccupy the position of Landeshut without major losses (about 20 men killed or wounded). He asked Zieten to send him a reinforcement of 3 bns.
    • Both sides remained under arms for the rest of the day and throughout the night.
    • Fouqué's artillery vainly tried to force Gaisruck to evacuate the heights of Reichhennersdorf.
    • Wolfersdorff's detachment then joined Gaisruck's forces.

In the night of June 17 to 18, FML Drašković took position to the east of the Fortress of Glatz. As soon as he was informed of Fouqué's movements, Loudon resolved to attack him at Landeshut. Indeed, he fully realised that he would not be able to lay siege to Glatz with Fouqué's Corps posing a serious threat on his communications. Accordingly, Loudon sent 3 bns and 2 cavalry rgts (Pálffy Cuirassiers, 2 sqns of Erzherzog Joseph Dragoons) to reinforce Gaisruck.

On June 17 in the evening, the Bülow Fusiliers arrived at Landeshut.

In the night of June 17 to 18, the II./Fouqué Fusiliers arrived at Landeshut with the baggage of the corps.

On June 18

  • Austrians
  • Prussians
    • Fouqué set diligently to repair his works damaged by the Austrians. He paid particular attention to the entrenchments on the Leuschnerberg and Mummelberg located on his left flank, linking both with a continuous line of entrenchments. He was obliged to divide his force (16 bns and 15 sqns for a total of about 12,000 men) into several detachments to occupy the entire position:
      • on the Heights of Blasdorf: 4 bns in 2 lines
      • on the Heights of Reichhennersdorf: 2 bns and 5 sqns on the plateau
      • on the Galgenberg: 3 bns including 1 bn in reserve
      • on the Richerberg: 2 bns and 2 sqns
      • on the Burgerg: 2 coys
      • on the Buchberg: 2 bns and 5 sqns
      • on the Mummelberg: 2 bns and 2 sqns
      • in Landeshut: 3 coys
      • in the suburb of Landeshut: Frei-Infanterie Lüderitz (1 bn)
    • According to Frederick's orders, Major-General von Grant marched by way of Breslau with 1 sqn of the Alt-Platen Dragoons to Neisse.

On June 19

  • Austrians
    • Loudon reached Schwarzwaldau. His vanguard drove back General von Malachowski, who was posted there with 300 hussars and 300 men of the Freikorps. The vanguard then made itself master of the heights of Forst and Ziegenrückens, south of Hartmannsdorf. A detachment of 200 men from the Freikorps, which had been sent to occupy these heights was surrounded and almost annihilated.
    • Loudon still hesitated before attacking Fouqué's positions. He had been informed that the Prussians were expecting the arrival of heavy artillery from Schweidnitz, that reinforcements sent by Prince Heinrich were on their way, and that Frederick himself would be on the march towards Landeshut.
  • Prussians
    • The IV./Garrison Regiment Mellin arrived at Landeshut with 6 heavy artillery pieces and a number of ammunition wagons.
    • Fouqué was now at the head of 17 bns and 15 sqns with 35 heavy artillery pieces.
    • Zieten remained on the Zeiskenberg and in Freiburg with 4 bns and 2 sqns with 5 heavy artillery pieces, to cover the line of communication with Schweidnitz.
    • In the evening, a convoy of 160 wagons transporting bread and flour, sent from Schweidnitz, arrived at Landeshut. Fouqué's infantry remained in the defensive works under constant rain during the following night, while his cavalry had saddled up. Fouqué saw the ring of enemy forces tightening around him, but he felt bound by the king's repeated orders to hold his positions.
    • Prince Heinrich marched to Landsberg (present-day Gorzow Wielkopolski/PL) on the Warthe (present-day Warta). His main army consisted of 30 bns and 46 sqns while another corps (7 bns and 20 sqns) under Forcade de Biaix had been detached to protect Pomerania, taking position at Dramburg (present-day Drawsko Pomorskie/PL).
    • Fouqué informed Frederick of his critical situation, mentioning that he could not endeavour any action against these Austrian corps without exposing Landeshut. Prince Heinrich with about 40,000 men was at 3 days march from Fouqué's Corps but the latter remained unsupported.

On June 20

  • Austrians
    • Loudon reported to Daun that he was considering to retire to the County of Glatz; while Wolfersdorff would retire to Trautenau and Jahnus to Dittersbach (unidentified location). However, a thorough reconnaissance in the direction of Landeshut gave him assurance of success. He recalled all his available forces: Drašković's Corps was left in front of Glatz and was reinforced by 2 infantry rgts (Baden-Baden, Salm) and 2 cavalry rgts (Anspach Cuirassiers and part of Althann Dragoons) under FML Baron Unruh; Beck, posted near Friedeberg (present-day Mirsk/PL) south of Greiffenberg, was instructed to support Loudon's attack with 2 bns of Warasdiner Grenzers and all his hussars, by blocking the road leading to Schmiedeberg (present-day Kowary/PL).

In the night of June 20 to 21, the main body of Loudon's Army set off from its camp near Pischkowitz under the command of FML Count Campitelli and marched to Friedland by way of Braunau.

On June 21

  • Austrians
    • Major-General von Nauendorf marched from the vicinity of Frankenstein with his light cavalry and took position at Forst and Ziegenrückens, east of Landeshut.
    • General Wolfersdorff occupied Nimschefskyberg (unidentified location) and the bridge at Faulebruck (unidentified location), and Jahnus stayed at Reichhennersdorf.
    • Around 10:00 p.m., FML Count Campitelli resumed his march from Friedland with the main body of Loudon's army.
    • The assault on Fouqué's entrenchments was planned for June 23, because Campitelli could not arrived at Schwarzwaldau before that day.

On June 21 and 22, while waiting for the arrival of the main body of his army, Loudon reconnoitred the Prussian positions. He decided to send General Jahnus and his detachment (Batthyányi Infantry (2 bns), Andlau Infantry (2 bns) Grenzer light troops (3 bns), Württemberg Chevaulegers for a total of approx. 4,000 men) against Major-General von Zieten, who was posted at Freiburg. Loudon wanted to prevent Zieten from supporting Fouqué at Landeshut during his main attack with 30,000 men against Fouqué's left wing.

On June 22

  • Austrians
    • At 4:00 a.m., Campitelli arrived at Schwarzwaldau with the main body of Loudon's Army. Loudon let them rest for a day. He was now at the head of 42 bns, 40 grenadier coys and 75 sqns.
    • At 9:00 p.m., Campitelli's troops marched to their assigned position for the attack.
  • Prussians
    • In the evening, the Grenadier Battalion Arnim, which was posted on the Buchberg, was replaced by 3 coys of the I./Fouqué Fusiliers. The grenadiers and 200 hussars were sent to Ruhbank (present-day Sędzisław/PL) and Einsiedel (unidentified location) to cover a convoy of 100 wagons sent to Schweidnitz by way of Volkenhain (unidentified location) to bring back flour.

In the night of June 22 to 23, a violent thunderstorm broke out, accompanied by torrential rain. The Prussian troops remained under arms. At 1:45 a.m., Loudon's Army marched towards Landeshut. The rattling of wagons could be heard from the direction of Schwarzwaldau, indicating that numerous artillery pieces were on the move. Deserters confirmed that the Austrians were preparing to attack around 2:00 a.m.

On Monday June 23

  • Battle of Landeshut
    • Loudon, with 31,000 horse and foot, launched an attack on Fouqué's position during the Battle of Landeshut. After a fierce resistance, Fouqué was forced to surrender. Only 1,500 Prussians escaped. All the Prussian camp with artillery and baggage fell into Loudon's hands.
  • Austrians
    • After the battle, Loudon assembled his corps near Schwarwaldau and encamped on both sides of the road leading to Gottesberg.
    • General von Nauendorf was sent forward towards Freiburg with the light cavalry.
    • Major-General Jahnus had taken position opposite Zieten's Corps.
    • Convinced that, after the annihilation of Fouqué's Corps, Frederick would rush to Silesia with his army, Loudon asked Daun to reinforce his corps with the Beck's detachment and some regiments of the main army.
  • Prussians
    • Around noon, Zieten was informed of the disastrous outcome of the combat of Landeshut and immediately abandoned his positions on the Zeiskenberg retired towards Schweidnitz, where he sent forward the 2 bns of Garrison Regiment Mellin and 2 hussar sqns. He also instructed the Prussian troops which had escaped from the Austrian trap to join him at Breslau.

Capture of Glatz by the Austrians

From June 23, after the virtual annihilation of Fouqué's Corps at Landeshut, the gate of Silesia was now open and Loudon could concentrate on his planned Siege of Glatz. He had left Unruh in front of Glatz with 2 infantry rgts and 2 calary rgts for a total of approx. 4,000 men.

On June 24, Major-General von Zieten marched with II./Braun Fusiliers and II./Markgraf Friedrich Fusiliers towards Breslau.

On June 25

  • Austrians
    • Daun, who also thought that Frederick would march towards Silesia, sent 4 infantry rgts (Jung-Colloredo, Mercy, Tillier, Gyulay) and 2 cavalry rgts (Stampach Cuirassiers, Serbelloni Cuirassiers) under G.d.C. Baron Stampach to reinforce Loudon's Army.
    • Daun also transferred Beck's detachment to Loudon's command and asked Loudon to move closer to the Saxon border with his army so that it could effect a junction with Daun's main army, thus delaying any vigorous action against Glatz.
  • Prussians
    • Zieten reached Breslau.

On June 27

  • Austrians
    • Loudon moved his camp to the recently conquered heights near Landeshut.
  • Prussians
    • General von Tauentzien, the governor of Breslau, formed a battalion with the convalescents under the command of Captain von Podewils.

By June 28, the few Prussian units, which had managed to escape from Landeshut had assembled in Breslau:

On July 2, II./Braun Fusiliers with 1 sqn of Werner Hussars and 1 sqn of Malachowski Hussars reached Glogau.

On July 3

  • Austrians
    • Beck's and Stampach's detachments made a junction near Liebenthal (present-day Lubomierz/PL), east of Greiffenberg.
    • Loudon was to withdraw to the district of Löwenberg or Schmottseiffen (present-day Pławna Dolna) while retaining the post of Landeshut.

In the night of July 3 to 4, Loudon set off from Landeshut. He reinforced FML Drašković's Corps with 6 bns (Baden-Baden, Salm, Batthyányi) 3 Grenzer bns, 2 dragoon rgts (Althann and Württemberg) and left him behind with 13,000 men to blockade the Fortress of Glatz and observe Neisse. Loudon also recalled the Anspach Cuirassiers from Unruh's detachment and Andlau Infantry from Jahnus's detachment to his army.

On July 5

  • Austrians
    • Loudon's Army reached the vicinity of Lähn (present-day Wleń/PL) on the Bober (present-day Bóbr river) to intercept communications between Frederick's Army and Breslau. There, he was informed that Daun was at Bautzen and Frederick in full march towards Silesia.
    • Nauendorf advanced to Goldberg with the light cavalry.

On July 7, Loudon marched to Goldberg.

In the night of July 7 to 8, Loudon marched from Goldberg to Hochkirch (present-day Kościelec/PL) some 8 km south of Liegnitz (present-day Legnica/PL), fearing that Frederick could arrive there ahead of him.

On July 8

  • Austrians
    • Loudon established his headquarters in Eichholz (present-day Warmątowice Siekiewiczkowskie/PL) and occupied Liegnitz. He intended to take a position allowing him to support Daun, while blocking the road to Silesia to Prince Heinrich and being able to link with the Russian army. He had left only Beck's detachment on the Silesian border east of Lauban.
    • Daun encamped at Ottendorf (present-day Ocice) and Loudon went there to have a conference with him and they resolved to lay siege to Glatz.
    • Loudon made sure to protect the crossings of the Katzbach River (present-day Kaczawa River) up to Parchwitz (present-day Prochowice) with entrenchments.

When Frederick abandoned his design of marching into Silesia and moved against Dresden, Loudon ordered the siege artillery from Olmütz to besiege Glatz. His main corps remained at Hochkirch near Liegnitz to cover the siege while he sent 12 bns and 5 sqns under the command of General Harsch to reinforce the blockading force and to put siege to the fortress. Siege works were placed under the responsibility of FZM Ferdinand Amadeus Count Harsch. This led to frictions between Drašković and him.

On July 10

  • Austrians
    • General von Nauendorf, as instructed by Loudon, marched from Lüben (present-day Lubin) by way of Parchwitz to Neumarkt (present-day Środa Śląska) with his hussars, Chevaulegers, Grenzer light troops and the 2 bns of Grün Loudon Grenadiers, on his way to Breslau. He sent his cavalry forward to the Schweidnitz Wasser.
    • Colonel von Barco set off from Lüben to reconnoitre in the direction of Glogau with 350 men of the Bethlen Hussars and the Löwenstein Chevaulegers.

The Prussian Major-General von Tauentzien, who commanded the I./Garde in Breslau since 1758, had been expecting an attack for some time and had made his preparations. Once the remnants of Fouqué's Corps had joined the garrison, it numbered approx. 5,600 foot and 1,200 horse, excluding cavalry detached to outposts. There were also some 4,200 prisoners kept in Breslau. Hussar outposts had been established on the north bank of the Oder to observe the Russians and near Wohlau (present-day Wołów) and Winzig (present-day Wińsko) to maintain communication with Prince Heinrich. On the south bank of the Oder, the garrison had outposts along the Lohe River (present-day Ślęza River) and hussar patrols reconnoitred up to the Schweidnitz Wasser.

On July 12, Prince Heinrich began to pass the Warthe.

On July 13, an engagement took place at a bridge on the Lohe River near Neukirch (maybe Nowy Kościół) between Prussian outposts and Nauendorf's detachment, which initially drove back a hussar outpost. However, the Chaumontet Battalion (an ad hoc battalion created with the remnants of the 3 free bns of Fouqué's Corps), forced Nauendorf's detachment to recross the Lohe.

On July 14, Prince Heinrich encamped at Gleißen (present-day Glisno) and extended his lines to protect the country from Russian raids.

On July 15

  • Austrians
    • The Austrians established a ferry near Klein-Pogul (present-day Pogalewo Małe) west of Dyhernfurth (present-day Brzeg Dolny) with the help of barges they had found in the area. Grenzer troops occupied an outpost on the right bank of the Oder.
  • Prussians

By mid-July, Loudon was posted between Parchwitz and Liegnitz while General Nauendorf was near Neumarkt with a strong cavalry corps.

On July 16

  • Austrians
    • The Austrian siege artillery, which had been sent from Olmütz, arrived in front of Glatz.
  • Prussians
    • Säbisch's detachment drove back the Grenzer light troops posted near Klein-Pogul and burned the barges used as ferries.

On July 17

  • Prussians
    • Early in the morning, 300 Prussian hussars and the I./Garrison Regiment Jung-Sydow under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Hasslocher, who had advanced from Glogau, attacked Barco's detachment and captured part of it.
  • Russians
    • Saltykov had now completely concentrated his army at Posen (present-day Poznań). This Russian Army consisted of 60,000 regulars and 7,000 cossacks.

The low water level of the Oder allowed Austrian horsemen to cross the river at various points, the important line of communication between Breslau and Glogau and Prince Heinrich was constantly endangered.

On July 20, Saltykov sent Chernichev with his vanguard to Winkowitz (unidentified location).

On the night of July 20 to 21, the Austrians started the Siege of Glatz, opening the first parallel in front of the place. The siege lasted until July 26 when Loudon's forces stormed the fortress. Thus, Glatz, one of the two southern keys of Silesia was now in Austrian hands. Neisse, the other key fortress was still under Prussian control. Loudon then made preparations to march on Breslau which had been left uncovered by Frederick and Prince Heinrich.

On July 21, the Prussian Major von Bohlen was sent from Breslau to the vicinity of Wohlau with a strong detachment of the Werner Hussars. There he took a few prisoners.

The Austrians established a bridge near Leubus (present-day Lubiąż) and secured it with a fortified bridgehead on the east bank of the Oder.

On July 23

  • Austrians
    • Naunendorf's detachment attacked Prussian outposts west of the city of Breslau.
  • Prussians
    • Tauenzien rushed to the support of his outposts with his cavalry, his free battalion and the II./Markgraf Friedrich Fusiliers. Near Deutsch-Lissa (present-day Wrocław-Leśnica), he drove back the Austrians and forced them to take refuge on the opposite bank of the Schweinitz Wasser.
    • Frederick urged Prince Heinrich to attack Loudon before the arrival of the Russians.

On July 24

  • Prussians
    • Unable to maintain his position at Wohlau, Bohlen's detachment returned to Breslau.

On July 25, Frederick informed Prince Heinrich of his intention to march towards Silesia with his own army.

Siege of Breslau

On July 26, the day of the surrender of Glatz

  • Austrians
    • After the surrender of Glatz, Loudon sent General Drašković towards Breslau to lay siege to the town and ordered General Nauendorf to march from Neumarkt to Deutsch-Lissa. He intended to make his junction with Saltykov's Russian Army at Breslau.
  • Russians
    • Count Saltykov was anxious about his depots at Siradin (unidentified location) and Kalisch (present-day Kalisz) and considered how to get it carted out in case of an advance by Prince Heinrich. Saltykov had finally decided to besiege Glogau, but Saint Petersburg rather ordered to besiege Breslau.
    • Saltykov's Army started from Posen in three columns with 45,000 men, faster than usual, and marched southward to Moschin (present-day Mosina) on its way to Kobylin. Chernichev remained at Winkowitz with the vanguard. Saltykov planned to rendezvous with Loudon under the walls of Breslau, but he had had no siege-artillery.
  • Prussians
    • Prince Heinrich was still at Gleißen. He answered Frederick that, with the approach of the Russians, he was unable to march against Loudon, because this would leave Frankfurt/Oder and Berlin defenceless. Furthermore, he doubted that he could successfully storm Loudon's entrenchments along the Katzbach.
    • Polish spies informed Prince Heinrich that the Russians were marching on Lissa and that their magazines in Posen would be transferred to Kalisch. It became clear that the Russians were heading for Breslau. Prince Heinrich finally resolved to abandon his positions at Gleißen and to march towards Glogau.

On July 27

  • Prussians
    • Prince Heinrich's Army set off from its camp near Gleißen and marched to Starpel (present-day Staropole). General von der Gablentz formed the rearguard (Grenadier Battalion Schwartz, Grenadier Battalion Benckendorff, Zieten Fusiliers, and 7 sqns of Ruesch Hussars soon joined by Grenadier Battalion Busche arriving from Crossen (present-day Krosno Odrzańskie)) at Meseritz (present-day Międzyrzecz).
    • Spaen marched from Alt-Höschen (unidentified location) to Ober-Görzig (present-day Gorzyca).
    • Werner marched from Birnbaum (present-day Międzychód) to Bauchwitz (unidentified location) by way of Meseritz.

On July 28

  • Russians
    • Saltykov's Army encamped at Dahlow (present-day Dalewo) while its vanguard advanced to Korkow (unidentified location).
  • Prussians
    • The main objective of Prince Heinrich was to prevent the junction of the Russians and Austrians. He also hoped that the Russian divisions would advance separately and, in such a case, he planned to attack their westernmost division in the vicinity of Lissa.
    • Spaen's and Goltz's detachments made a junction with Prince Heinrich's Army near Rietschütz (present-day Rzeczyca), 5 km north-east of Schwiebus (present-day Świebodzin).
    • Werner marched from Bauchwitz to Brätz (present-day Brójce) to cover the left flank of the army. He was joined there by the II./Diericke Fusiliers arriving from Driesen (present-day Drezdenko).

On July 29

  • Prussians
    • Prince Heinrich's Army marched from Rietschütz in three columns towards Padligar (present-day Podlegórz) on the northern bank of the Faule Obra (present-day Leniwa Obra), south-east of Züllichau (present-day Sulechów).
    • Werner's detachment advanced from Brätz towards Neu-Kramzig (present-day Nowe Kramsko), south-west of Bomst (present-day Babimost).

On July 30

  • Austrians
    • Loudon appeared in front of Breslau. The Siege of Breslau would last until August 3. During this period, Loudon repeatedly summoned Tauentzien to surrender the town but the latter refused.
    • The Reserve Corps (6 grenadier bns, 11 elite cavalry coys) crossed the Oder at Leubus and advanced along the right bank to Auras (present-day Uraz).
  • Prussians
    • Prince Heinrich rested his army at Padligar.
    • In the evening, Tauentzien sent away his cavalry under Major von Owstien because it was useless during a siege. Owstien marched towards Glogau to join the army of Prince Heinrich.

On July 31

  • Austrians
    • The Austrians established a bridge near Klein-Masselwitz (present-day Maślice Małe) to maintain communication with their Reserve Corps.
    • Drašković took position between Dürrgoy (present-day Tarnogaj) and Gräbschen (present-day Grabiszyn) with the corps which had brought back from Glatz.
  • Prussians
    • Prince Heinrich's Army marched to Linden (present-day Lipinki), south of Schlawa (present-day Sława) and the rearguard under Major-General von der Gablentz reached Züllichau.
    • Major-General von Werner reached Schlawa.
    • During his march, Prince Heinrich had had no opportunity to attack the Russians in the vicinity of Lissa because their westernmost column had advanced by another road, east of Lissa.

On August 1

  • Russians
    • Saltykov's Army reached Kobylin, where it sojourned a few days to bake bread...
  • Prussians
    • Prince Heinrich's Army marched towards Glogau, where Heinrich planned to cross the Oder River. Major von Owstein at the head of 1,000 horse (the remnants of Fouqué's forces) joined the army at Glogau. Owstein informed Prince Heinrich that Loudon had encircled Breslau.
    • Although his army had already covered 25 to 30 km, Prince Heinrich then decided to continue his march on the same day. In the evening, the army reached Gramschütz (present-day Grębocice), 4 km south-east of Glogau. It had marched almost 40 km on that day. On its way, it had been reinforced by I./Garrison-Regiment Jung-Sydow, IV./Garrison Regiment Lattorff and a few hundreds convalescent from various rgts. II./Braun Fusiliers and I./Garrison Regiment Itzenplitz were left at Glogau. On his way, Gablentz also left the Zieten Fusiliers at Glogau. The Gersdorff Hussars also probably remained at Glogau.

On August 2

  • Austrians
    • Loudon was informed that Prince Heinrich's Army had reached Glogau on the previous day. He also received a message from Totleben mentioning that the Russian army should reach Zduny on August 2. There were thus little chance that the Russians would make a junction with Loudon's Army before the arrival of Prince Heinrich's Army. Nevertheless, Loudon did not abandon all hope of capturing Breslau. He once more summoned the place to surrender and he ordered Wolfersdorff to advance from Liegnitz to Neumarkt with his troops.
  • Prussians
    • At 3:00 p.m., Prince Heinrich's Army set off from Gramschütz. Major-General von Werner rode ahead with the Bayreuth Dragoons, Werner Hussars and Malachowski Hussars. He was followed by 4 grenadier bns and Freibataillon Wunsch. The army marched in three columns with most of its cavalry in the right column. The Dingelstedt Hussars were sent in the direction of Liegnitz.
    • Frederick rested his army (38 bns, 78 sqns with 78 heavy artillery pieces for a total of approx. 30,000 men) in the camp of Dallwitz in Saxony before the long march of five days towards Silesia. The heavy artillery was organised in batteries of 10 pieces each, which would accompany each infantry brigade. His troops received provisions of bread for two weeks. His army would march in three columns with the first line forming the first column; the second line, the centre column; and the reserve, the third column. The Zieten Hussars and the Freibataillon Courbières formed the vanguard of the first column, which would be accompanied by Frederick, while the rearguard of this same column consisted of the Möhring Hussars and Freibataillon Quintus under Zieten. A total of 500 wagons were interspersed in groups of 50 between the battalions of the centre column. Finally, another 500 wagons accompanied the third column. On his way, Frederick hoped that he could force Daun to offer a decisive battle.

In the night of August 2 to 3, Wolfersdorff's troops set off from the vicinity of Liegnitz and reached Neumarkt on August 3.

Order of Battle
Detailed order of battle of Frederick's Army on August 3.

On August 3

  • Austrians
    • As soon as Lacy was informed of the march of Frederick's Army, he marched to Schönborn with his corps.
    • At 6:00 a.m., Daun's Army set off in four columns and marched to Bautzen. Without knowing of Frederick's march, Daun had decided to march towards Liegnitz by way of Naumburg am Queis, and to take position behind the Katzbach to prevent Frederick from crossing that river.
    • Major-General Caramelli, who was posted at Parchwitz with the Erzherzog Joseph Dragoons, evacuated the place as Prince Heinrich's Army approached. Before leaving, Caramelli broke down the bridge at Leubus.
    • In the evening, Loudon began to bombard Breslau. However, he was soon informed that a Prussian column was marching on Jauer (present-day Jawor) by way of Liegnitz (in fact it was only the Dingelstedt Hussars). Loudon now feared for his line of communication. Furthermore, with the unexpected halt of Saltykov's Army at Kobylin, he would have to face Prince Heinrich's Army alone. Loudon then resolved to abandon the siege of Breslau and to retire.
  • Russians
    • Saltykov, who was still encamped near Kobylin, received a message from Loudon informing him that Prince Heinrich had crossed to the left bank of the Oder near Glogau and, unless the Russians quickly come to his support, he would be forced to retire. Loudon also asked Saltykov to send Totleben and Chernishev to block Prince Heinrich's marching route. Saltykov then decided to continue his march on Breslau without delay.
    • Chernichev's Corps reached the Silesian border at Rawitsch (present-day Rawicz).
    • Totleben's light troops reached Lissa and reconnoitred in the direction of the Oder River and reported that Prince Heinrich was marching towards Glogau.
  • Prussians
    • At 3:00 a.m., Frederick's Army set off from Dallwitz, crossed the Röder River near Nieder-Rödern, and the Pulsnitz River between Königsbrück and Krakau, and encamped between Königsbrück and Koitzsch, facing southwards.
    • In the morning, Werner's detachment reached the Katzbach River near Parchwitz. Werner partially repaired the bridge and crossed to the right bank of the river with his cavalry and the grenadiers.
    • At 9:00 p.m., the main body of Prince Heinrich's Army halted to rest a few hours.

On August 4

  • Prussians
    • At 2:00 a.m., the main body of Prince Heinrich's Army resumed its march. It halted again at 10:00 a.m. In the afternoon, it reached Parchwitz and encamped on the left bank of the Katzbach River. Meanwhile, the Austrians had evacuated Liegnitz. Prince Heinrich was astounded that the Austrians had let him use the fortified crossings of the Katzbach so easily, while Loudon could have stopped him by pushing Wolfersdorff's Corps to Parchwitz. However, this corps was much weaker that his own army.
    • In the afternoon, Prince Heinrich marched to Neumarkt with his vanguard. In the evening, the main body of his army followed.
    • Frederick's Army marched by way of Kamenz and encamped on the east bank of the Schwarzwasser, with its right wing extending up to Luga (unidentified location) and Frederick's headquarters at Radibor where the left wing was posted.
  • Austrians
    • Early in the morning, once the Reserve Corps had crossed the Oder on a bridge established near Oswitz (present-day Osobowice), Loudon's entire siege corps marched towards Woigwitz (present-day Wojtkowice), south-west of Canth, behind the Weistritz River, where it made a junction with Wolfersdorff's troops which were arriving from Neumarkt. FML von Nauendorf was sent towards Neumarkt to reconnoitre.
    • General Ried followed Frederick's Army with an Austrian light corps. Lacy's Corps reached Pohla, north-east of Bischofswerda while his light troops under Brentano followed Frederick's rearguard.
    • Daun's Army reached Reichenbach.
  • Russians
    • The main Russian army marched from Kobylin to Militsch (present-day Milicz). A messenger sent by Loudon informed Saltykov that the Austrians had been forced to abandon the siege of Breslau, to evacuate the right bank of the Oder and to retire to Canth. Loudon asked Saltykov to continue his march on Breslau and to send Chernishev's Corps to Leubus.
    • Chernishev reached Trachenberg with his corps.

In the night of August 4 to 5, Prince Heinrich detached Werner with 1 bn and 15 sqns towards Canth. Werner unexpectedly clashed with the Austrian Corps of General Caramelli at Romolkawitz (unidentified location). During the ensuing engagement, the Austrian Erzherzog Joseph Dragoons had 5 officers and 363 men prisoners. Werner then halted at Deutsch-Lissa where he was soon joined by Prince Heinrich.

On August 5

  • Prussians
    • Tauentzien detached the Freibataillon Chaumontet to Rosenthal (probably Mirosławice) on the "Old Oder".
    • At Neumarkt, Prince Heinrich learned that Loudon had raised the siege of Breslau and marched towards Canth, from where he could no longer made a junction with the Russians. However, Breslau was still threatened by the Russians. Despite his success in preventing the junction of the Russian army with Loudon's Army, Prince Heinrich considered himself in a dangerous situation with Loudon's Army posted near Canth and the Russians approaching on both banks of the Oder.
    • In the afternoon, Prince Heinrich's Army resumed its march and reached Deutsch-Lissa in the evening and encamped on the left bank of the Weistritz River. From there, Lieutenant-Colonel von Dalwigk of Spaen Cuirassiers rode with 600 horse to Breslau to re-establish communication with General Tauentzien.
    • Frederick's Army marched by way of Weissenberg to Arnsdorf where it encamped.
  • Austrians
    • Loudon's Army remained at Woigwitz.
    • Lacy's Corps, which was still following Frederick's Army, reached Ober-Gebelzig (unidentified location), north of Weissenberg.
    • Daun's Army crossed the Neisse River near Görlitz and marched on the road leading to Lauban up to Nieder-Schreibersdorf (present-day Pisarzowice near Lubań), where it encamped.
  • Russians
    • Saltykov marched from Militsch to Deutsch-Hammer (unidentified location).

On August 6

  • Prussians
    • Prince Heinrich's Army encamped on the right bank of the Lohe near Gräbschen under the guns of Breslau, facing Loudon's Corps. Major-General von der Gablentz reached Deutsch-Lissa with the rearguard and the train. On his way, he was harassed 2 Cossack rgts and 4 hussar sqns belonging to Totleben's light corps. These Russian troops crossed the Oder near Leubus and laid an ambush in the forest for the Ruesch Hussars who were advancing against them. In the ensuing engagement, the Ruesch Hussars suffered heavy casualties and had 3 officers and 103 men taken prisoners.
    • Prince Heinrich sent Lieutenant-General von Platen through Breslau with 6 bns (Grenadier Battalion Kleist, Grenadier Battalion Bock, Grenadier Battalion Carlowitz, Grenadier Battalion Schwerin, Lindstedt Infantry) and 15 sqns (Bayreuth Dragoons and 5 sqns of Dingelstedt Hussars) to cross the Oder. In Breslau, the II./Markgraf Friedrich Fusiliers and the free bn joined this force. Prince Heinrich wanted to prevent the Russians from establishing themselves in positions allowing them to bombard the city. 2 sqns of the Jung-Platen Dragoons also joined Platen's detachment.
    • Platen advanced with his detachment against the Cossacks posted at Hundsfeld. Prince Heinrich believed that he was facing Totleben's Corps. Platen managed to drive the Cossacks away from the banks of the Weide but they retained possession of Hundsfeld. During the ensuing cannonade, it became clear that the entire Russian army had reached the vicinity of Hundsfeld. Platen's detachment then established an entrenched camp near Friedewalde (unidentified location).
    • Frederick's Army crossed the Neisse River north of Zodel after repairing the bridges, which had been dismantled by the Austrians. The Prussian columns then marched to Rothwasser (present-day Czerwona Woda) which was reached late in the evening.
  • Austrians
    • Loudon's Army marched to Sachwitz (present-day Zachowice), where it encamped.
    • Lacy, who had flanked the march of Frederick's Army, crossed the Neisse at Görlitz and encamped on the right bank of the river.
    • Daun's Army crossed the Queis River at Lauban and encamped near Schmottseiffen. The main body was in the vicinity of Liebenthal; the Grenadier and Carabinier Corps was posted between old entrenchments near Welkersdorf (present-day Rząsiny).
    • Beck's Corps, arriving from Bunzlau (present-day Bolesławiec), made a junction with Daun's Army and took position north of Löwenberg on the heights of Plagwitz (present-day Płakowice) and Braunau (present-day Brunów).
  • Russians
    • Saltykov's Army Gross-Weigelsdorf (present-day Kiełczów) some 8 km from Breslau, near Hundsfeld (present-day Psie Pole). Saltykov considered an attack on the northern side of Breslau impractical, since the Prussians seemed determined to resist and the terrain favoured them.
    • Chernichev advanced to Leubus by way of Wohlau with the vanguard. Finding no bridge to cross the Oder and receiving no information about Loudon's Army, Chernichev retired to Auras.

The Prussian Main Army enters Silesia

On Thursday August 7

  • Prussians
    • Platen broke down all bridges on the Weide River.
    • Prince Heinrich was encamped behind the Lohe River with the rest of his army. Gablentz's detachment was at Deutsch-Lissa to cover the bakery of the army.
    • The columns of Frederick's Army crossed the Queis River near Siegersdorf (present-day Zebrzydowa) and Neudorf (present-day Nowa Wieś), and the Bober River near Tillendorf (present-day Bolesławice) west of Bunzlau, entering Silesia. The army then encamped east of the Bober River, facing towards Löwenberg. Frederick established his headquarters in the suburb of Bunzlau. After a fierce 160 km march from Saxony with some 2,000 heavy wagons, Frederick had managed to reach Bunzlau on the Silesian frontier.
  • Russians
    • Saltykov's artillery opened quite ineffectually on Platen's entrenched camp near Friedewalde.
  • Austrians
    • Loudon's Army marched to Striegau (present-day Strzegom) to facilitate a junction with the Russian army.
    • Daun concentrated his army and Lacy's Corps took position north-west of Greiffenberg.

With Loudon's Army retiring to Striegau, Prince Heinrich did not fear an attack from these quarters any more. He then focused his attention on the Russian army.

On August 8

  • Russians
    • Saltykov decided to march downstream along the Oder to get closer to Chernishev's Corps and to establish communication with Loudon's Army.
  • Austrians
    • Daun remained in his positions on the south and west of Frederick's positions. He only sent Beck's Corps to Goldberg to secure the crossing of the Katzbach there. Daun, fearing a junction of the Prussian armies of King Frederick and Prince Heinrich, recalled Loudon.
    • Lacy was on the west of Frederick's positions.
    • Loudon marched to Seichau (present-day Sichów) and Jauer. He also asked Saltykov to throw a bridge on the Oder at Leubus to allow him to establish communications with Chernishev and the Russian vanguard.
  • Prussians
    • Frederick's Army was so exhausted that he had to stop for a day near Bunzlau. Frederick knew that Daun's Army was at Schmottseiffen and Lacy's Corps near Lauban. Although Frederick did not know where Loudon's Corps was posted, he correctly guessed that it was near Striegau. Frederick planned to advance quickly on Jauer and to seize it before Daun had time to react. However, Frederick ignored that Loudon, and also Beck with a smaller detachment, occupied the Heights of Goldberg. He thought that Loudon was besieging Neisse.
    • In the evening, the Freibataillon Quintus set off from Frederick's camp with superfluous wagons and marched by way of Haynau (present-day Chojnow), planning to reach Liegnitz. The Zieten Hussars took position on the Gröditzberg to cover the march of this convoy and to reconnoitre the area.

On August 9

  • Russians
    • Hearing that the Austrians outnumbered Frederick 3 to 1 and were still procrastinating, Saltykov grew very impatient. He threatened Daun to retire into the Trebnitz (present-day Trzebnica) Country. After negotiations, Saltykov consented to wait another day or two.
    • Early in the morning, the Russian army marched to Kunzendorf (present-day Golędzinów) near Auras. On his way, Saltykov was informed by Loudon that Frederick was trying to reach Breslau and had already reached Bunzlau while Daun had reached Goldberg. Loudon wanted to advance to Jauer on the following day to prevent the junction of the armies of Frederick and Prince Heinrich. However, Saltykov preferred to continue his march downstream. He re-established a bridge at Leubus, threw two additional bridges on the Oder near Auras to ease the junction with Loudon's Army. Saltykov pushed out a considerable Russian division of 20,000 men, under Chernichev to take position at Auras and watch Frederick's movements.
    • Totleben's Corps, reinforced with 3 infantry rgts, occupied the heights of Schbitz to cover Saltykov's camp near Kunzendorf, against any enterprises of Prince Heinrich.
  • Prussians
    • Frederick's Army
      • At 3:00 a.m. Frederick left Bunzlau with his three columns and marched towards Goldberg. The first column marched by way of Looswitz (present-day Łaziska) and Alzenau (present-day Olszanica); while the second marched by way of Thomaswaldau (present-day Tomaszów Bolesławiecki) and Modelsdorf (present-day Modlikowice). At 10:00 a.m., Frederick, riding with the Seydlitz Cuirassiers, reached Adelsdorf (present-day Zagrodno) with his vanguard. From there, Frederick could see Austrian hussars and infantry on the heights between Goldberg and Ulbersdorf. It was Beck's Corps. Frederick rode forward with the cuirassiers to reconnoitre the Austrian positions, but he was unable to see beyond the heights occupied by Beck's Corps. When the two grenadier battalions rejoined Frederick, their battalion guns drove the Austrian hussars back and Frederick could see that, behind the sparsely manned heights north-west of Goldberg, Daun's entire army was about to cross the Katzbach and was marching towards Prausnitz (present-day Prusice). However, the main body of Frederick's Army was still hours away and by the time of its arrival, Daun's Army had gotten to safety behind the Katzbach. The Prussian army encamped between Hohendorf (unidentified location) and Kroitsch (present-day Krotoszyce), on the northern slope of the Katzbach Valley. The Freibataillon Quintus remained near Buchwald (present-day Bukowna) on the Schwarzwasser, north-east of Haynau with the wagon convoy, because Austrian troops had been spotted in the vicinity of Liegnitz.
      • At 5:00 p.m., after a long march, The main body arrived in sight of the Katzbach Valley, with the little town of Goldberg some km to his right but reaching Jauer now seemed an impossibility. Frederick's Army still had bread for only eight days and the next Prussian magazines were at Schweidnitz and Breslau.
      • Frederick decided to march on Liegnitz and to cross the Katzbach there, or farther down at Parchwitz. For this purpose, he turned left, reached Kroitsch and encamped there for the night.
      • Frederick finally received the message sent by Prince Heinrich from Deutsch-Lissa on August 5. Frederick could now expect that his brother would keep the Russians away from him. Frederick then intended to advance in the direction of Liegnitz, to make a junction with the army of Prince Heinrich, and then to take position near Schweidnitz to prevent the junction of the Austrian and Russian armies.
    • Prince Heinrich's Army
      • When Prince Heinrich heard of manoeuvres of the Russian army, he sent Goltz, Platen and Thadden to follow Saltykov's rearguard. These three Prussian detachments took position behind the Weida River.
      • When Platen's outposts reported the march of the Russians, he advanced with his detachment in two columns up to Kryschanowitz (unidentified location) and Protsch (present-day Pracze Widawskie). However, he met resistance of the Russian rearguard on the other side of the Weide River and encamped near Protsch. The Prussians established a new bridge over the Oder at Oswitz.
    • Austrians
    • Daun's Army marched in three columns towards Goldberg. The northernmost column marched by way of Löwendorf (unidentified location) and Pilgramsdorf (present-day Pielgrzymka); the two other columns by way of Hermsdorf (present-day Jerzmanice-Zdrój) and Neukirch (present-day Nowy Kościół). Beck's Corps covered the march of the main army from its position on the heights north-west of Goldberg. At 10:00 a.m., the head of the northernmost column reached Goldberg. Around 4:00 p.m., Daun's Army encamped on the heights on the right bank of the Katzbach, between Prausnitz and Wolfsdorf (present-day Wilków). Its right at Goldberg linked with Brentano's Corps, which extended up to Conradsberg (unidentified location).Its light troops guarded all the crossings on the Katzbach.
    • Loudon encamped with his right at Arnoldshof (present-day Sichówek) near Seichau and his left at Conradsberg.
    • Lacy's Corps reached Löwenberg.
    • Daun's right flank was covered by Nauendorf, who was posted near Hochkirch.

On Sunday August 10

  • Prussians
    • Frederick's Army
      • At 5:00 a.m., Frederick got on march in four columns down the left bank of the Katzbach, straight for Liegnitz.
      • The Zieten Hussars, who were covering the march of Frederick's Army, were in constant contact with the Austrian hussars, who rode along the right bank of the Katzbach to cover the march of the Austrian army.
      • Around 11:00 a.m., Frederick reached Liegnitz, where he found that Loudon and Daun were already lining the right bank, 3 or 6 km upstream and 11 km downstream. Crossing the Katzbach to reach Jauer looked plainly impossible to Frederick.
      • Around noon, the Freibataillon Quintus arrived at Liegnitz with its convoy of wagons.
      • Frederick encamped between Liegnitz and the village of Schimmelwitz (present-day Szymanowice), on the heights overlooking Liegnitz. Ignoring that Lacy's Corps was posted at Arnoldsdorf, between Seichau and Goldberg, Frederick then resolved to turn the Austrian left to re-establish his communications with Schweidnitz. To do so, he planned to cross the Katzbach in four columns between Kopatsch (unidentified location) and Kroitsch and to continue his march towards Jauer.
      • At 9:00 p.m., the first Prussian columns set off from Liegnitz and marched towards the Katzbach. As the Prussian columns got closer to their assigned crossing points, Frederick was surprised to see the campfire of an entire corps in the vicinity of Arnoldshof. He halted his army and rode forward to reconnoitre the area. He then realised that once more an Austrian corps was blocking the way to Jauer and that he would first have to clear them out of his way before resuming his advance.
  • Austrians
    • Loudon marched ahead of the main army to Greibnig (present-day Grzybiany) and covered the area between Jeschkendorf (present-day Jaśkowice Legnickie) and Koischwitz (present-day Koskowice).
    • As soon as Daun, who had moved to the right wing early in the morning, realised that the Prussians were marching, he ordered his own army to march eastwards. Daun's Army crossed the Wütende Neisse between Schönau and Crayn (present-day Krajów) and marched to Neudorf in combat readiness. It encamped between Wahlstatt (present-day Legnickie Pole) and Hochkirch. Daun wanted to prevent Frederick from crossing the Katzbach.
    • When Daun saw that Frederick had halted at Liegnitz, he encamped his own army between Kossendau (present-day Kozice) and Neudorf.
    • Loudon took position near Koischwitz.
    • Beck's Corps took position near Oyas (present-day Gniewomierz) to maintain communication between Loudon's and Daun's armies.
    • Nauendorf took position near Greibnig to guard the river downstream from Liegnitz and to cover the heights of Parchwitz.
    • Lacy's light troops harassed the rear of the Frederick's Army. In the evening, Lacy's Corps, which had marched from Löwenberg by way of Goldberg, reached the vicinity of Arnoldshof to secure the left flank of the main army.
  • Russians
    • Saltykov received a new message from Loudon, informing him that Frederick had advanced to Liegnitz, where Daun and Loudon planned to attack him. Saltykov established two bridges on the Oder at Auras and detached 3 infantry rgts under General Plemyanikov to the left bank to protect them.

The Austrian army was now in a position to prevent Frederick's Army from marching towards Breslau or to break through towards Jauer.

On August 11

  • Prussians
    • Frederick's Army
      • At daybreak, Frederick saw that the heights between Prausnitz and Goldberg were still free of Austrian troops. He immediately ordered to his first line to march to Kopatsch and his second line to Niederau (unidentified location), ready to cross the Katzbach.
      • When Frederick arrived in the vicinity of Hohendorf (unidentified location) with his vanguard, he was informed of Lacy's positions at Prausnitz and effectively saw this corps extending from Goldberg on the Katzbach to Niedergrain (unidentified location). This was the only Austrian corps who could now oppose his advance on Jauer.
      • Frederick ordered to his columns to turn right to outflank Lacy's left wing by Goldberg. However, by the time the Prussians reached Goldberg, Lacy had already retired south-eastward to Kolbnitz (present-day Chełmiec) near Jauer. Frederick then crossed the Katzbach, although the Austrians, who in the meantime had received reports of Frederick's march, directed artillery fire at the heads of the columns. Frederick occupied the heights west of Prausnitz with the part of his army which had already crossed the river, to cover the crossing of the baggage which were lagging five hours behind. While Frederick was waiting for his baggage, Daun, Lacy and Loudon had time to block the road to Jauer again.
      • Once his entire army had crossed the Katzbach, Frederick directed his march towards Seichau, a village surrounded on all sides by heights. As Frederick reached Seichau, he could see the Austrians deployed in good positions in front of him. An attack against these positions seemed impossible, so Frederick let his army encamp. The right wing of his first line was on the Kreuzberg, south of Seichau, facing towards Hermannsdorf (present-day Męcinka) and Schlaup (present-day Słup), his left wing was deployed along the road leading from Seichau to Prausnitz. The cavalry encamped behind the infantry. The Reserve took position on the left flank, facing Prausnitz, and the second line between Ober-Prausnitz and the Eichberg, west of this village. Frederick still intended to clear the road leading to Schweidnitz and planned to turn the Austrian positions by way of Pombsen (present-day Pomocne). Provisions were running out, and his army could not hold out in such a situation for a long time. However, the bad condition of the mountain paths forced him to abandon his plan and he resigned himself to recross the Katzbach River.
      • In Goldberg, the Möhring Hussars captured a large part of the baggage of Lacy's Corps.
      • Major-General Johann Albrecht von Bülow took position on the heights of Prausnitz with 9 bns and 13 sqns to cover the defile in case Frederick would be forced to retreat.
  • Austrians
    • Daun's main army marched by its left to support Lacy. The left wing took position on the heights on the right bank of the Wütende Neisse, west of Crayn. Daun himself rode to meet Lacy, who had retired in the lines between Schlaup and Hennersdorf (present-day Chroślice).
    • At 7:00 a.m., Loudon, who was already on the march towards Parchwitz, was ordered to halt.
    • When Daun realised that Frederick was marching towards Jauer, he changed his orders for the various corps to take position on several heights around Seichau. His own army marched to new positions between Bremberg (present-day Żarek) and the Weinberg west of Peterwitz (present-day Piotrowice), to cut communication between Frederick's Army and Schweidnitz. The Grenadier Corps and the Reserve crossed the Wütende Neisse between Schlaup and Brechelshof (present-day Brachów) and occupied a hill west of Bremberg. Protected by these corps, the Austrian main army then crossed the Wütende Neisse. Lacy returned to Kolbnitz. Loudon followed the main army and, in the evening, occupied the heights along the east bank of the Wütende Neisse near Gross Jänowitz (present-day Janowice Duże). Beck was at Buschmühle (unidentified location) and Ried at Weinberg (unidentified location). Nauendorf remained in the vicinity of Liegnitz, which he still occupied.
  • Russians
    • The Russian army moved into a more advantageous camp on the heights near Obernigk (present-day Oborniki Śląskie) and Karoschke (present-day Kuraszków).

On August 12

  • Austrians
    • Early in the morning, fearing for Landeshut, Daun instructed Lacy to march towards Bolkenhain to cover this city.
    • Loudon urged Saltykov to cross the Oder with the Russian army. Saltykov then suggested a meeting to discuss the planned operations.
  • Prussians
    • Frederick's Army
      • Ignoring Lacy's movement and with the road to Schweidnitz blocked, Frederick planned to advance, round by Pombsen, towards Landeshut. He sent people out reconnoitring the hill-roads.
      • At about 8:00 a.m., these patrols reported that the Austrians were moving towards the left wing as if they intended to give battle. Frederick recalled Bülow and ordered his army to be in combat readiness and his artillery to take their assigned positions.
      • Meanwhile, the reconnaissance reported that the hill-roads were absolutely impassable for baggage.
      • Frederick then sent Lieutenant-General von Zieten with 4 bns (I./Lestwitz, Grenadier Battalion Jung-Billerbeck, Freibataillon Quintus and Freibataillon Courbières) and 25 sqns (Leib-Carabiniers, Prinz Heinrich Cuirassiers, Normann Dragoons, Czettritz Dragoons and 5 sqns of Möhring Hussars) to the Hochberg between Haasel (present-day Leszczyna) and Willmannsdorf (present-day Stanisławów) to observe the movements of the Austrians.
      • Frederick later sent Lieutenant-General von Bülow with 6 bns (II./Lestwitz Infantry, Neuwied Fusiliers, I./Gablentz Fusiliers, Prinz Ferdinand Infantry), taken from his second line, to reinforce Zieten's Corps. However, the Austrians did not attack and, around 6:00 p.m., Bülow's detachment rejoined the second line. Zieten remained on the Hochberg until nightfall.
      • In the evening, Frederick began his retreat. The baggage train crossed the Katzbach near Goldberg, while the second line under Lieutenant-General von Bülow crossed the river near Röchlitz (present-day Rokitnica) and took position on the heights north of Hohendorf to cover the train. Then the cavalry crossed the river near Röchlitz and Hohendorf, followed by the rest of the infantry; 10 bns of the left wing and 4 bns of the Reserve crossed near Hohendorf; and 10 bns of the right wing and the 4 bns previously posted on the Hochberg crossed the Katzbach near Röchlitz. The hussars were the last to cross the river.
    • Prince Heinrich's Army
      • Considering that Platen's small corps was very isolated, Prince Heinrich crossed to the right bank of the Oder with his entire army on two bridges at Ostwitz. He then encamped between Mahlen (present-day Malin) and Hünern (present-day Psary), establishing his headquarters in Hünern. Near Schebitz (present-day Szewce), there were some skirmishes between Prussian outposts and Totleben's Corps.

In the night of August 12 to 13, part of Frederick's troops lost their direction in the dark, and by daybreak the units had not yet crossed the river. But the Austrians had not closely followed the retreating Prussian army and they were able to complete the crossing unhindered.

On August 13

  • Prussians
    • Frederick's Army
      • By noon, Frederick's Army had completed the crossing of the Katzbach River. In then marched to Liegnitz for the second time and reoccupied its former camp. Its left wing was anchored on the Goldberger suburb, where Frederick had his headquarters, and its right wing was posted to the north-east of Schmochwitz (unidentified location). The cavalry encamped behind the second line of infantry and the Reserve formed a fourth line north of Weissenhof (unidentified location). The hussars and the 2 Freikorps secured the bank of the Katzbach. Frederick now wanted to make a junction with the army of Prince Heinrich on the right bank of the Oder and planned to march towards Merschwitz (present-day Mierzowice), north of Parchwitz, where he would receive a resupply of bread from Glogau, and then to cross the Oder. He had no idea where the Russian army was located. A rumour placed them near Wohlau and another stated that its headquarters were in Auras.
    • Prince Heinrich's Army
      • Gablentz's detachment made a junction with the main army. Prince Heinrich was now at the head of 27,500 foot and 9,600 horse with 160 artillery pieces. The artillery pieces consisted of:
        • heavy artillery (56 pieces)
          • 4 x heavy 12-pdr guns
          • 36 x medium 12-pdr guns
          • 10 x light 12-pdr guns
          • 6 x howitzers
        • Battalion pieces
          • 78 x battalion guns
          • 17 x howitzers
          • 3 x 6-pdr guns
          • 6 x 6-pdr guns used as horse artillery by the Bayreuth Dragoons
  • Austrians
    • Early in the morning, when Daun was informed that Frederick's Army was on the march towards Liegnitz, he followed it and reoccupied his former camp near Hochkirch. The light troops occupied the riverbank upstream of Liegnitz.
    • Loudon's Army moved to its former camp south-east of Koischwitz. Loudon detached his Reserve to the south of Lake Kunitz to cover his right wing.
    • Nauendorf advanced towards Parchwitz.
    • Lacy's Corps advanced from Bolkenhain and re-occupied the vicinity of Goldberg.
  • Russians
    • Loudon personally visited Saltykov at his camp near Kunzendorf. He assured him that Daun would not take his eyes off Frederick's Army and would certainly give battle. However, Loudon only managed to get Saltykov to agree that Chernichev's Corps (approx. 20,000 men) would cross the Oder at Auras to make a junction with Loudon's Army in the vicinity of Neumarkt.
    • In the evening, Chernishev's Corps began to cross the Oder River.

Daun was now in the Jauer region, some 13 km south. Lacy was about Goldberg, some 13 km south-west. Loudon was between Jeschkendorf and Koischwitz, north-eastward, some 8 km away with the Katzbach separating Frederick and him. The 20,000 Russians of Chernichev were to rear of Loudon, crossing the Oder at Auras. Three Austrian armies totalling 90,000 men (not counting Chernichev's Corps) watched a Prussian army of 30,000 men. Since a few weeks, the Austrian Court had been urging Daun to engage Frederick's small force.

Battle of Liegnitz

Map of the situation on August 14, before the Battle of Landeshut.
 
Source: Kriege Friedrichs des Grossen, volume 12 by the German Grosser Generalstab

Liegnitz was a square, handsome, brick-built town of about 7,000 people. The Katzbach and the Schwartzwasser joined there, forming the north rim of Liegnitz. Beyond Liegnitz and the Schwartzwasser, north-westward, opposite to the Prussian positions, rose other heights called Pfaffendorf (present-day Piątnica).

On August 14

  • Russians
    • At 2:00 a.m., Chernishev's Corps reached Gross-Bresa (present-day Brzezina) on the road from Auras to Lissa and halted
  • Prussians
    • Frederick's Army
      • Frederick's camp extended from the village of Schimmelwitz, fronting the Katzbach for about 3 km, north-eastward, to his headquarters in Liegnitz suburb.
      • In the morning, Frederick's troops had already stricken their tents, when the order came to set up camp again. Frederick feared that he would not be able to cross the Schwarzwasser in the vicinity of the Austrian army without having to sustain a serious rearguard combat. Accordingly, he decided to postpone the crossing to the following night.
      • At the end of the afternoon, an Austrian deserter warned the Prussians that an attack was planned for that night.
      • From about 8:00 p.m., Frederick's Army got on march in several columns while peasants, hussars and drummers were left behind to keep the Prussian camp alive.
  • Austrians
    • Around 8:00 p.m., Loudon was also leaving his camp at Jeschkendorf with orders to seize the Heights of Pfaffendorf. He expected to intercept the Prussian baggage.
    • It was about 11:00 p.m. when Daun's Grenzers discovered that Frederick's camp was now empty. The Austrians did not know where Frederick had repositioned his army.
Frederick, the night before the Battle of Liegnitz - Source: Carl Röchling, 1895

On August 15, in the pre-dawn darkness, Loudon's strong detachment unexpectedly encountered the Prussian army near the towns of Panten (Pątnów Legnicki) and Bienowitz (unidentified location). During the encounter Battle of Liegnitz which ensued, Frederick managed to punch a hole through the net that Daun had drawn up around him. Frederick rested four hours on the battlefield. Meanwhile, the wounded, Austrian as well as Prussian, were placed in the empty meal-wagons. The more slightly wounded were set on horseback, double in possible cases. More than 100 meal-wagons were destroyed, their teams being needed for drawing the 82 captured guns. With the Austrian Main Army still blocking the road from Liegnitz to Breslau and a large Russian Corps at Grossbresa, Frederick had to move swiftly. Accordingly, at about 9:00 a.m. Frederick got on march again, with 6 bns and 30 sqns, marching eastward to Parchwitz where he passed the Katzbach, taking position on the neighbouring heights. Margrave Karl was following up closely with the left wing of Frederick's Army. The right wing under Zieten followed during the evening. The Prussian Army brought with them their 6,000 prisoners, new gun-teams, sick-wagon teams and trophies. Frederick now had only two days' bread left. The Austrian General Nauendorf retired from Parchwitz to Möttig (present-day Motyczyn). Daun should have marched to intercept Frederick without loss of a moment. But he calculated Frederick would probably spend the day on the battlefield. The same day (August 15), Frederick wrote a letter intended to be captured by the Russians. In this letter, he informed Prince Heinrich of his victory and instructed him to make a junction with his own army for a combined attack on the Russian Army. When Chernichev intercepted the letter, he instantly recrossed the Oder with his 24,000 men at Auras and burnt his bridge.

Junction of the Prussian Armies

Early on August 16, still ignoring the result of his stratagem, Frederick marched in 3 columns from Parchwitz towards Breslau without any interference from the Austrian Army. Frederick marched with the right column consisting of the left wing of the army. This column covered the march on the Austrian side. The centre column, preceded by a strong vanguard, escorted the prisoners and the wounded. The left column, under the command of the Duke of Holstein-Gottorp, consisted mainly of cavalry supported by a few battalions. This column covered the march on the Russian side. Zieten formed the rearguard with the right wing of the army. Later the same morning, Daun sent out Löwenstein's and Beck's Corps towards Neumarkt to make a junction with Chernichev's Corps. Loudon was supposed to follow closely while Daun would skirt Frederick's Army. However, all these measures came too late. Frederick's vanguard had already chased Nauendorf from Möttig. Prussian hussars encountered scouts belonging to Beck's Corps and drove them back. This Austrian corps then appeared on the Heights of Kummernick (present-day Komorniki) with Daun's Main Army following in several columns some 4 km behind. Frederick was now in a delicate situation with no supply left, a large Austrian Army on his heels and potentially a Russian Army blocking his access to Breslau. He reconnoitered the area around Neumarkt and soon discovered, to his great relief, that the Russians had retired to the opposite bank of the Oder. Frederick established communication with Prince Heinrich at Breslau, encamped his army at Neumarkt and sent General Krockow with the vanguard and the prisoners up to Borne (present-day Zrodla). Daun realising that he had failed to prevent the junction of the two Prussian Army retired to Striegau. The same day, Saltykov left his camp of Obernigk and marched to Peterwitz (present-day Piotrkowice) to get closer to Prince's Heinrich right flank and to have a better communication with the town of Militsch.

On August 17, the Austrian Main Army marched in 3 columns to Konradswaldau (present-day Mroviny). It took position at Hohenposeritz (present-day Posarzysko) with the Carabiniers Corps on the Pitschenberg and Löwenstein's Corps on the Heights of Würben. Loudon replaced the main army at Striegau and Lacy went to Kratzkau (present-day Kraskow), Brentano on the Zoptenberg, Beck at Buckau (unidentified location) and Ried at Arnsdorf (present-day Milikowice).

On August 18, Saltykov took post behind bogs and bushy grounds near Militsch.

On August 19, Prince Heinrich followed up the Russian Army and encamped near Trebnitz. The same day, Frederick quitted Neumarkt passed the Schweidnitz River and encamped at Hermannsdorf (present-day Jerzmanowo), his headquarters at the Castle of Hermannsdorf, within 11 km of Breslau. He rested his army there for two weeks. A bridge was thrown on the Oder at Auras to establish communication with the Army of Prince Heinrich.

On August 24, Saltykov marched westward to Trachenberg (present-day Żmigród), slowly progressing towards Glogau.

On August 27, believing that Saltykov was retreating to Poland, Frederick recalled Prince Heinrich, leaving only Goltz with 12,000 men (17 bns, 33 sqns) to watch the Russian Army. Prince Heinrich having health problem was then replaced by Forcade. Goltz marched to Sophiental (unidentified location) to cover Glogau. During his march, his rearguard was attacked by cossacks near Gimmel (present-day Gmina Jemielno) who dispersed it and took several hundreds prisoners.

On August 28, Saltykov marched further west to Herrnstadt (present-day Wasosz). Goltz passed the Oder at Köben (present-day Chobienia) and encamped near Glogau. For his part, Daun intended to besiege Schweidnitz, the necessary artillery being prepared at Glatz under the direction of M. de Gribeauval.

On August 29, Forcade crossed the Oder with 24 bns and 38 sqns at Pannewitz (unidentified location) and joined Frederick's Army.

Frederick relieves Schweidnitz

Together with Forcade, Frederick now had 50,000 men (60 bns, 116 sqns). Frederick reorganised his army as follows:

  • vanguard: 10 grenadier bns
  • 1st line: 15 bns and 48 sqns
  • 2nd line: 16 bns and 50 sqns
  • Reserve: 9 bns and 18 sqns

N.B.: each brigade had a battery of 10 pieces, exceptionally the vanguard had a battery of 10 pieces of horse artillery.

Daun, Lacy and Loudon still hung about in the Breslau-Parchwitz region and seemed to be aiming at Schweidnitz. They put in place a powerful chain of army-posts, isolating Schweidnitz and uniting Daun and Loudon.

On August 30, Frederick marched in 4 columns, his vanguard reinforced with 45 sqns of the second line. He advanced towards the highway from Breslau to Schweidnitz. As his vanguard approached Albertsdorf (unidentified location), Frederick realised that the Austrians were completely blocking the way. He gave orders to his columns to turn left in the direction of Grunau (unidentified location) and Knigwitz (unidentified location) where they encamped: the infantry in two lines and the cavalry forming the third. Frederick ordered to pitch tents. However, at 7:00 p.m., he marched again. By 10:00 p.m., his vanguard occupied the heights of Langenseifersdorf (unidentified location).

On August 31 at daybreak, the main body of Frederick's Army reached the Heights of Langenseifersdorf. The same day, Daun retired to the Heights of Bogendorf behind Schweidnitz. Frederick then marched to Költschen (present-day Kiełczyn), sending his vanguard to Endersdorf (present-day Jędrzejowice). He had managed to break through the Austrian army-posts and to get Schweidnitz under his protective hand again. Daun soon abandoned his plan to lay siege to Schweidnitz and concentrated his attention on the protection of the Bohemian frontier.

On September 1, Frederick marched to Pulzen (unidentified location).

For about five weeks, Frederick followed the Austrians up with continual changes of position, wrestling this way with Daun, Lacy and Loudon in the hill-country between Schweidnitz and Glatz. Daun, had his back on Glatz, Frederick on Schweidnitz. Daun was now lacking provisions which were far away in Bohemia and the roads grew daily more insecure.

On September 11, after endless prevarications about various joint plans of operation, Fermor, who had temporarily replaced Saltykov at the head of the Russian Army, finally made his mind for the plan proposed by Montalembert, the French ambassador, calling for a concentration at Frankfurt-an-der-Oder and then a rapid advance on Berlin with a strong corps. Accordingly, the Russian Army left Herrnstadt and marched to Guhrau (present-day Góra Śląska). The same day, ignoring this design, Frederick tried to turn Daun's left to reach Landeshut, marching to Bolkenhain. This forced all Austrian corps to take new positions with Loudon at Alt Reichenau (Stare Bogaczowice), blocking his way. Frederick encamped on the heights near Alt Reichenau. The Austrians and Prussians then remained in these positions until September 16.

On September 13, Fermor quitted Guhrau and marched towards Carolath (actuel Siedlisko).

On September 17, Frederick left the neighbourhood of Alt Reichenau and made a new attempt to turn the Austrian positions, this time on their right wing. He marched by Hohenfriedberg (present-day Dobromierz) but Daun sent d'Ayasassa to occupy the Heights of Kunzendorf (present-day Mokrzeszów), preventing once more Frederick's designs. Despite some brief engagements, Frederick had to abandon his plan and marched to Hohengiesdorf (probably present-day Grochotów) thus threatening Daun's communications with Glatz.

From September 18, Frederick and Daun sat looking into one another's faces.

On September 19, while Daun and Frederick confronted each other around Schweidnitz, Fermor reached Carolath. He was now only 43 km from Frankfurt-an-der-Oder and 130 km from Berlin.

When Daun was informed of Fermor's final decision, he resolved to send Lacy with 15,000 to march across Lusatia and to make a junction with the Russian Army.

On September 24, Frederick shot out a detachment of 4,000 men towards Neisse. Daun thought that the detachment was making for Moravia. He thus pushed a small detachment into Moravia.

On September 29, Daun pushed off another bigger detachment of 15,000 men under Lacy. Once out of sight of Frederick, Lacy whirled, at a rapid pace, into the opposite direction. Its real destination being Berlin.

It took a while before Frederick realized that Berlin was under attack. However, when he heard about it, he sent orders to Wied, now commanding Goltz's Corps, to throw 6 bns into Breslau to reinforce the garrison and to join him at Schweidnitz with all his cavalry.

On October 7 at 3:00 a.m., Frederick left Silesia in a hurry to relieve Berlin. He assembled his army near Schweidnitz and encamped at Bunzelwitz (present-day Bolesławice), pushing his vanguard (10 grenadier bns and 25 sqns under Zieten) to Striegau. Daun left Loudon behind in Silesia and marched towards Saxony.

On October 8, Frederick reached Brochelshof (unidentified location) while Daun marched to Lauterbach (present-day Jastrowiec) and Loudon remained in the area of Kunzendorf (present-day Mokrzeszów).

On October 9, Frederick marched to Konradsdorf (present-day Konradowka) near Haynau. The same day, Daun marched to Schönewald (unidentified location) and Wiesenthal (present-day Bystrzyca) in front of Lahn (present-day Wleń).

On October 10, Frederick marched to Primkenau (present-day Przemków). The same day, Daun passed the Bober River, and reached Neulande (unidentified location) near Löwenberg.

On October 11, Frederick marched to Sagan while Daun sojourned at Neulande.

On October 12, Daun marched to Longau (unidentified location) on the Queiss.

On October 13, Frederick reached Sommerfeld (present-day Lubsko). The same day, Daun marched to Penzig (present-day Piensk) behind the Neisse.

On October 14, Frederick planned to advance against the Russian Main Army to cut the retreat of the advanced corps occupying Berlin. However, when he learned that the Austro-Russians had evacuated the city, he rather marched to Guben (present-day Gubin) on the border of Brandenburg. The same day, Daun marched to Ullersdorf in Saxony.

The armies of Daun and Frederick then penetrated into Saxony (for details of their manoeuvres, see 1760 - Austrian campaign in Saxony).

On October 19, Frederick detached Goltz with 16 bns and 38 sqns from Lübben in Brandenburg to relieve Kosel (present-day Koźle) in Silesia which was threatened by Loudon.

From October 21 to 27, Loudon tried hard on Kosel, storming twice very fiercely.

On October 25, Goltz arrived in the region of Glogau with 20,000 men. Loudon, informed of his approach, bombarded Kosel.

On October 30, Loudon lifted the siege of Kosel and retired into Glatz County.

In mid November, Loudon evacuated Silesia and took his winter-quarters.

References

This article is essentially a compilation of texts from the following books which are now in the public domain:

  • Grosser Generalstab Kriegsgeschichtliche Abteilung II: Die Kriege Friedrichs des Grossen, Part 3 Der siebenjährige Krieg 1756-1763
    • Vol. 11 Minden und Maxen, Berlin, 1912, pp. 238-239, 241
    • Vol. 12 Landeshut und Liegnitz, Berlin, 1913, pp. 45-50, 53-57, 82-99, 102-104, 112-113, 161-166, 174-198, Anhang 2-3
  • Anonymous: A Complete History of the Present War, from its Commencement in 1756, to the End of the Campaign, 1760, London, 1761, pp. 511-513, 516-521, 543
  • Jomini, baron de: Traité des grandes opérations militaires, Vol. 3, 2nd ed., Magimel, Paris, 1811, pp. 222-223, 245-250, 255-256, 271-281, 286-295, 302-308, 311-323, 339-342, 366
  • Vanicek, Fr.: Specialgeschichte der Militärgrenze aus Originalquellen und Quellenwerken geschöpft, Vol. II, Vienna: Kaiserlich-Königlichen Hof- und Staatsdruckerei, 1875, pp. 481-486
  • Wengen, F. von: Geschichte des k. k. österreichischen 13. Dragoner-Regimentes Prinz Eugen von Savoyen, Brandeis 1879
  • Carlyle, T.: History of Friedrich II of Prussia, vol. 20

Other sources

Müller, Fritz: 1998 Frederick the Great Battlefield Tour, Seven Years War Association Journal Vol. X No. 3

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