Battle of Leuthen
1757 · Leuthen (modern Lower Silesia, Poland) · World · Modern
Using his "oblique order," Frederick concentrated his forces in an all-out assault on one Austrian wing and, despite being outnumbered, broke their line section by section.
Belligerents
Kingdom of Prussia
- Commanders
- Frederick II
- Strength
- c. 36,000
Austrian Empire
- Commanders
- Charles of Lorraine
- Strength
- About 66,000
Background
In the Seven Years' War, Austria had captured key towns in Silesia; Frederick II marched back to relieve it and, though outnumbered, sought a quick, decisive battle.
Course of the battle
- Feint to deceiveThe Prussians made a feint against the Austrian front with a small force, while the main body moved under cover toward the flank.
- Oblique-order attackThe Prussian main body concentrated its attack on a single point of the Austrian left wing, gaining local superiority in numbers.
- Rolling up the lineThe Austrian line collapsed section by section starting from the left wing, and the whole army retreated in disarray.
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 1757 |
|---|---|
| Place | Leuthen (Lower Silesia, present-day Poland) |
| Result | Using his "oblique order," Frederick concentrated his forces in an all-out assault on one Austrian wing and, despite being outnumbered, broke their line section by section. |
| Winner | Kingdom of Prussia |
| Casualties | The Austrians lost more than 10,000 killed and captured, along with large numbers of cannon and supplies seized; Prussian losses were about 6,000. |
| Territorial change | Prussia recaptured all of Silesia, which it had previously lost. |
Impact
Later military scholars have regarded the Battle of Leuthen as a classic example of concentrating force and of the few defeating the many, and it greatly enhanced Frederick II's reputation as a "military genius."
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