1760 - Austro-Russian campaign in Silesia

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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) 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 Chernishev 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. Chernishev 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.
    • Chernishev'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 (present-day Żmigród) 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 (present-day Milikowice) 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.
    • Chernishev 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, Chernishev 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 Chernishev 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.

Order of Battle
Detailed order of battle of Prince Heinrich's Army on August 12.
Detailed order of battle of the Austrian forces operating in Silesia in mid-August.

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.
      • In the evening, Frederick sent his train and baggage across the Schwarzwasser at Liegnitz.
    • 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 Chernishev'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 Chernishev were to rear of Loudon, crossing the Oder at Auras. Three Austrian armies totalling 90,000 men (not counting Chernishev'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.
      • In the afternoon, the Prussian bakery, the provision wagons and some empty ammunition wagons were sent by way of Ober-Rüstern towards Glogau, escorted by Lieutenant-Colonel Courbières with the 2 free bns and 40 hussars. He had been instructed to reach Glogau in two marches, to reload the bread wagons and to rejoin the army at Merschwitz. Meanwhile the wagons which had remained with the army were directed towards Hummel (present-day Dobrzejów/PL) where they should form a Wagenburg.
      • 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

  • Prussians
    • Prince Heinrich's Army
      • Early in the morning, Prince Heinrich was informed that Chernishev's Corps had crossed the Oder on the previous day. He detached Major-General von der Gablentz with 3 bns and 10 sqns towards Oels (present-day Oleśnica/PL) to disturb the planned junction of Chernishev with the Austrians. But when the Russians began to move in their camp, Prince Heinrich, fearing an attack, recalled Gablentz.
  • Battle of Liegnitz
    • In the pre-dawn darkness, Loudon's strong detachment unexpectedly encountered the Prussian army near the towns of Panten (Pątnów Legnicki) and Bienowitz (present-day Bieniowice). During the encounter Battle of Liegnitz which ensued, Frederick managed to punch a hole through the net that Daun had drawn up around him.
  • Prussians
    • Frederick's Army (after the battle of Liegnitz)
      • Frederick's victory at Liegnitz had opened the way to make a junction with Prince Heinrich at Breslau. Frederick immediately threw back Corps London and seized the crossing over the Katzbach River near Parchwitz before the Austrians could block the passage.
      • 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 Gross-Bresa, Frederick had to move swiftly. Accordingly, at about 9:00 a.m., Frederick got on march again, with about half his army (6 bns and 30 sqns), marching eastward to Parchwitz where he crossed the Katzbach, taking position on the neighbouring heights. Margrave Karl was following up closely with the left wing of Frederick's Army.
      • Around midnight, Zieten joined Frederick at his camp with the right wing of the Prussian army. Frederick was now at the head of 36 bns and 78 sqns for a total of 26,750 men with 72 heavy artillery pieces. The Prussian Army were bringing 6,000 prisoners, new gun-teams, sick-wagon teams and trophies with them.
      • Frederick now had only two days' bread left.
      • 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.
  • Austrians (after the battle of Liegnitz)
    • General Nauendorf retired from Parchwitz to Möttig (present-day Motyczyn).
    • Loudon retired to his previous camp near Koischwitz. In the evening, he was at the head of 36 bns, 71 sqns and 4 Grenzer bns, for a total of 26,650 men, including Nauendorf's Corps but excluding Wolfersdorff's detachment. However, most of his troops had been badly battered by the fight.
    • 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 town of Liegnitz was occupied by the light troops of Major-General Ried and Beck's Corps, totalling approx. 10,000 men. Lacy's Corps (approx. 18,150 men) was posted slightly to the west of Liegnitz between Lindenbusch (present-day Lipce/PL) and Waldau (present-day Ulesie/PL). The main army (33,900 men) under Daun was encamped to the south of Liegnitz, near Hochkirch.
    • Daun had to avoid the junction of Frederick's and Prince Heinrich's armies near Breslau at all cost. **In the evening, Daun, to show the Russians that he intended to intervene against the Prussians, he ordered the Reserve Corps (8 bns, 16 sqns, 8 grenadier coys, 3 elite cavalry coys, for a total of approx. 7,150 men) under G.d.C. Prince Löwenstein and Wolfersdorff's Corps (8 bns, 10 sqns, 6 heavy artillery pieces for a total of approx. 6,000 men) to march towards Neumarkt. These two corps had to delay Frederick's advance as long as possible and to establish communication with Chernishev's Corps.
    • These two corps would then be followed by Beck's Corps (3 bns, 15 sqns, 1 grenadier coy, 1 elite cavalry coys 2,600 Grenzer light troops and 18 heavy artillery pieces for a total of 6,770 men), the main army and Loudon's Army.
  • Russians
    • Before daybreak, from his camp near Gross-Bresa, Chernishev could hear the sound of the guns coming from Liegnitz, He waited in vain for news or orders. He was worried about his retreat, because there was only a single weak bridge available to him, and he felt keenly the insecurity of his positions, which were also threatened by Prince Heinrich.
    • In the afternoon, Chernishev was informed of Frederick's arrival at Parchwitz by a Cossack officer. Chernishev considered his present position between the two Prussian armies of Frederick and Prince Heinrich as very dangerous, and he decided to recross the Oder with his 24,000 men.
    • Around 6:00 p.m., Chenishev's Corps retired to Auras, where it crossed the Oder.

In the night of August 15 to 16, Daun planned to set out with his whole army for Neumarkt, to precede Frederick's Army there and to make a junction with Chernishev's Russian corps (approx. 20,000 men), which had been posted on the left bank of the Oder, south of Auras, and thus prevent Frederick from marching on Breslau and making a junction with Prince Heinrich. But he first had to ascertain that the Russian corps was still in these positions.

Junction of the Prussian Armies

On August 16

  • Prussians
    • Frederick's Army
      • In the first hours, Frederick was informed that 24,000 Russians were already blocking the road from Liegnitz to Breslau, but its exact position was unknown. Surrounded as he was by Austrian and Russian corps, Frederick had to open his way to Breslau at all cost. Therefore, he decided to march early from Parchwitz, hoping that, without a sure guarantee of active support from the Austrians, Chernishev would retreat as his army advanced.
      • Around 7:00 a.m., Frederick finally learned that Chernishev had already retired to the opposite bank of the Oder.
      • In the morning, Major-General von Krockow set off from Frederick's camp with 30 sqns (Krockow Dragoons (5 sqns) Finckenstein Dragoons (5 sqns), Möhring Hussars (10 sqns), Zieten Hussars (10 sqns)), 4 bns (Grenadier Battalion Falkenhayn, Grenadier Battalion Stechow, Goltz Infantry), the wounded, the prisoners, the artillery train and the captured artillery pieces. Covered by a strong vanguard Krockow's Corps marched along the highway towards Neumarkt.
      • At 8:00 a.m., Frederick took the road by way of Spittelndorf (present-day Szczedrzykowice/PL) and Wangten (present-day Wągrodno/PL) with the right column (15 bns and 20 sqns) to cover the right flank of Krockow's column on the Austrian side.
      • The left column, under the command of the Duke of Holstein-Gottorp, consisted mainly of cavalry supported by a few battalions.
      • Zieten (17 bns and 28 sqns), who had reached Parchwitz late on the previous day, rested longer in camp.
      • Frederick's vanguard had barely reached Wangten when he was informed that an Austrian column had left Liegnitz and reached Kummernick (present-day Komorniki). Prisoners captured by his hussars reported that this column was in fact Nauendorf's Corps and that Löwenstein's and Beck's corps were also on the march towards Neumarkt to make a junction with Chernishev's Corps.
      • Immediately, Frederick deployed the artillery pieces of his vanguard and opened on the Austrian troops who were advancing towards Kummernick. In fact there were no other Austrian troops than those of Nauendorf's Corps. These troops retired at once and observed the march of the Prussians from a distance.
      • Around 10:00 a.m., Zieten set off from Parchwith with the rest of Frederick's Army and marched by way of Maltsch (present-day Malczyce/PL), Rachen (present-day Rachów/PL) and Falkenhayn (present-day Jatrzebce/PL), following Krockow's column.
      • In the afternoon, after having marched by way of Gross-Läswitz (present-day Lasowice/PL) and Blumerode (unidentified location), Frederick's Army finally reached Neumarkt. With the retreat of Chernishev's Corps to the opposite bank of the Oder, the road to Breslau was now open.
      • 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), where the garrison of Breslau would take charge of all prisoners, wounded and wagons.
      • Zieten joined Frederick at Neumarkt with the rest of his army.
  • Austrians
    • When Prince Löwenstein reached Neumarkt, he was informed that Chernishev's Corps had recrossed the Oder. Löwenstein halted and waited for Daun's arrival.
    • As his army was about to start marching towards Neumarkt, Daun received a message from Loudon informing him that he had encamped near Koischwitz, but was unable to march; his troops were exhausted and burdened with the care of 2,000 wounded. At these news, Daun changed his mind and countermanded the planned march towards Neumarkt.
    • In the evening, realising that he had failed to prevent the junction of the two Prussian armies, Daun retired to Striegau with his main army and Ried's and Beck's corps. The Reserve Corps and Wolfersdorff's Corps remained at Jauer, Loudon and Nauendorf advanced to Wahlstatt and Lacy to Malitsch.
  • Russians
    • Early in the morning, Chernishev's Corps encamped near Liebenau (present-day Lubnów), closer to the Russian main army (approx. 50,000 men) under Saltykov, which was posted near Obernigk since August 11.
    • Saltykov's Army left its camp of Obernigk and marched to Hochkirch on the road to Breslau and encamped between Peterwitz (present-day Piotrkowice) and Hochkirch to get closer to Prince's Heinrich right flank. From there, Saltykov could easily reach Militsch and secure his communication with Poland and the Vistula.
    • Chernishev's Corps took position 2 km from Peterwitz. Major-General von Totleben remained with most of the light cavalry in front of the positions of Prince Heinrich. Brigadier Krasnoshtchokov took position near Leubus with a few cossack rgts to observe Frederick's Army.
    • In the evening, Saltykov held a council of war where it was decided that Chernishev's Corps would not be sent back across the Oder River to make a junction with the Austrians.

On August 17

  • Prussians
    • Frederick's Army rested in its camp near Neumarkt.
    • In the afternoon, Prince Heinrich's Army celebrated Frederick's victory at Liegnitz.
  • Austrians
    • The main army marched in three columns to Konradswaldau (present-day Mroviny) and encamped between Hohen-Poseritz (present-day Posarzysko) and Raaben (present-day Kruków), only 13 km north of Schweidnitz, facing Breslau. The Carabiniers Corps took position on the Pitschenberg and Löwenstein's Reserve Corps on the Heights of Würben.
    • To isolate Schweidnitz, Ried's Corps took position near Ober-Arnsdorf, west of the fortress, Brentano on the Zoptenberg. Lacy followed the main army and stopped at Tschechen (unidentified location). Loudon replaced the main army at Striegau and his light troops were posted near Kuhnern (present-day Konary) to observe the Prussians at Neumarkt. Daun then decided to wait for further instructions from Vienna.

On August 18

  • Prussians
    • Frederick granted his army an additional day to rest in its camp near Neumarkt.
    • Prince Heinrich detached Major-General von Werner with all his hussars and Freibataillon Wunsch to follow the retreating Russians. Werner was followed by half of Heinrich's Army. There was a skirmish north of Trebnitz, where about 100 Russians were taken prisoners.
  • Russians
    • Saltykov's Army marched northwards and encamped near Kainowe (present-day Koniowo), where it entrenched behind the marshes in a well protected position near Militsch.
    • Totleben's light corps remain at Gross-Kommerowe (present-day Komorowo) to observe the army of Prince Heinrich.
  • Austrians
    • Lacy's Corps marched from Tschechen and took position on the right wing of the main army between Stephanshain (present-day Szczepanów) and Kratzkau (present-day Krasków). Lacy then detached his light troops under Major-General von Brentano by way of Qualkau (present-day Chwałków) to the north-western slope of the Zobtenberg, while the Liechtenstein Dragoons and Birkenfeld Cuirassiers took position near Gross-Merzdorf (present-day Marcinowice) to cover the corps in the direction of Schweidnitz.

The lines of communication between Frederick's Army and Schweidnitz were now cut on its northern and western sides and Frederick could communicate with the fortress only from the south-east between the Zobtenberg and the mountains.

On August 19

  • Prussians
    • Prince Heinrich's Army
    • Frederick's Army
      • 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. His positions were facing southwards in the direction of Schweidnitz. He then rested his army there for two weeks.
      • Frederick had left 6 sqns of Möhring Hussars at Auras to observe the Russians.
  • Austrians
    • Daun detached Beck's Corps towards Bockau (present-day Buków).
  • Russians
    • Plunkett and Montalembert were doing their best to convince Saltykov, who was considering to retreat northwards to Poland, to remain in Silesia and continue the campaign.

On August 20

  • Prussians
    • The Prussians began to build a bridge at Auras to induce the Russian commanders to think that Frederick intended to cross the Oder River and attack their right wing. Frederick hoped that the Russians would then decide to retreat to Poland.
  • Austrians
    • Daun sent a messenger to Vienna with a report exposing the conflicting views of his generals and asked for instructions.

On August 21

  • Prussians
    • The Grenadier Battalion Falkenhayn marched to Auras to protect the bridge under construction. Frederick had also ordered this battalion, in collaboration with the Möhring Hussars to clear the banks of the Oder from Cossacks up to Glogau in order to establish a line of supply with this fortress.
    • Frederick decided to send Möhring's detachment (6 sqns of Möhring Hussars and Grenadier Battalion Falkenhayn) from Auras to Dyhernfurth to observe the Russians.
  • Russians
    • Saltykov finally agreed to make a diversion towards Lower Silesia.

On August 22

  • Prussians
    • Frederick's Army
    • Prince Heinrich's Army
      • Prince Heinrich detached Lieutenant-Colonel von Dalwigk with 2 bns (Finck Infantry? which was supposedly being rebuild in Ueckermark) and 450 horse (250 cuirassiers and 200 dragoons) to the vicinity of Wohlau. Dalwigk's detachment reached Stroppen (present-day Strupina), where it skirmished with Krasnochekov's Cossacks.
  • Austrians
    • The sappers sent from Glatz arrived at Daun's camp and preparations were undertaken for the siege of Schweidnitz. However, the siege artillery was still under way from Olmütz.

On August 23, Prince Heinrich detached Lieutenant-Colonel von Lossow with 300 foot and 6 sqns (2 sqns of Alt-Platen Dragoons, 4 sqns of Ruesch Hussars) by way of Oels towards Militsch to observe the Russian army.

On August 24

  • Russians
    • Saltykov's Army set off from Kainowe and marched in the direction of Glogau.. In the evening it encamped near Trachenberg. From this position, the Russians could march northwards by way Rawitsch to Poland, or north-westwards against Glogau.
    • In the evening, Saltykov sent his baggage and artillery train across the Bartsch near Trachenberg.
  • Prussians
    • Prince Heinrich's outposts reported that the Russian light troops were retiring from Gross-Kommerowe and that Saltykov's Army was marching towards Trachenberg.
    • At 11:00 a.m., Prince Heinrich's Army marched in three columns toward the heights north of Stroppen. Colonel von Thadden with his 7 bns formed the vanguard, marching from Koschnöwe and reached Pavelschöwe (present-day Pawłoszewo). Meanwhile, Major-General von der Gablentz occupied Prausnitz with 6 bns and 5 sqns to secure the right wing of the army.
    • In the afternoon, Prince Heinrich decided to turn left so that he could engage the Russians on the following day, if they advanced towards Glogau.
    • In the evening, Prince Heinrich encamped with Dalwigk's small detachment of 2 bns and 450 horse forming his left wing near Winzig. Thadden with his 7 bns (Grenadier Battalion Bock, Grenadier Battalion Kleist, Grenadier Battalion Schwerin, Lindstedt Infantry, II./Markgraf Friedrich Fusiliers, and 1 bn of the Garrison Regiment V Jung-Sydow) had advanced from Pavelschöwe to Dittersbach. Lieutenant-General von der Goltz had replaced him at Pavelschöwe with 6 bns (Jung Braunschweig Fusiliers, Alt-Stutterheim Infantry, Jung-Stutterheim Infantry) and 10 sqns (Schlabrendorff Cuirassiers and 5 sqns of the Bayreuth Dragoons). The main body (21 bns, 56 sqns) encamped near Stroppen. Major-General von der Gablentz took position near Prausnitz, on the right flank, with 6 bns and 5 sqns.
    • Frederick realised that Prince Heinrich was preparing to move away from his own army. This plan completely contradicted his intentions, because the operations against Daun could no longer be postponed, if only out of consideration for Schweidnitz. Frederick decided to send new orders to Heinrich.

In the night of August 24 to 25, Saltykov's Army marched along the south bank of the Bartsch River and encamped north of Herrnstadt (present-day Wasosz) on both banks of the river.

On August 25

  • Prussians
    • In the morning, Prince Heinrich was informed of the departure of the Russian army. He did not hesitate to order his army to advance as initially planned. Major-General von der Gablentz should march from Prausnitz to Bleichau (unidentified location) and attack the Russian rearguard. Prince Heinrich should march in two columns from Stroppen to Gross-Bargen (present-day Barkowo) where it would catch up with the Russian main body. Lieutenant-General von der Goltz should march from Pavelschöwe to Dittersbach and make a junction with Thadden's detachment before advancing towards Pakuswitz (present-day Białawy) to attack the Russian vanguard. Dalwigk's detachment would join General von der Goltz.
    • Around 11:00 a.m., after much delays, Prince Heinrich's Army finally set off from its positions to attack the Russians but they were now too far ahead. Prince Heinrich halted his army between Körnitz (present-day Kórnica), Gross-Bargen, Pakuswitz and Winzig. Major-General von Werner secured the front of the army at Kamin (unidentified location) with the hussars, Freibataillon Wunsch and Freibataillon Chaumontet. Thadden's detachment took positio0n at Piskorsine (present-day Piskorzyna). A grenadier battalion and Dingelstedt Hussars occupied Trachenberg.
    • At noon, Prince Heinrich received new orders instructing him to send Lieutenant-General Baron von der Goltz with 16 bns and 34 sqns, about 13,000 men, to observe the movements of the Russian army and to make a junction with Frederick's Army in the camp of Herrmannsdorf (present-day Jerzmanowo) with the rest of his troops.
    • Prince Heinrich asked Frederick for the authorisation to leave the army and to go to Breslau because he was sick.
    • Prince Heinrich began to gradually assemble at Gross-Strenz (present-day Głębowice) the troops (26 bns, 37 sqns) destined to reinforce Frederick's Army while the corps destined to be commanded by Goltz was assembling at Winzig.

On August 26

  • Engagement near Kamin
    • In the afternoon, Totleben's light cavalry attacked an outpost of Werner's detachment near Kamin and drove it back.
    • Lieutenant-General von Platen counter-attacked them with Horn Cuirassiers and |Vasold Cuirassiers and I./Thile Infantry and put a stop to the pursuit.
    • The combined forces of Platen and Werner then drove the Russians back, recapturing the regimental guns lost during the initial attack.
    • In this action, Werner lost 3 officers and 82 men.
  • Prussians
    • Around 9:00 p.m., Prince Heinrich set off from Gross-Strenz with the troops destined to reinforce Frederick's Army.
  • Austrians
    • Major-General Count Pellegrini returned from Vienna with the requested instructions. Empress Maria Theresa wanted her army to make another attempt to effect a junction with the Russians. She proposed that the Russian main army should lay siege to Glogau while Loudon would cover the siege with a corps of 45,000 men, in conjunction with a Russian corps (25,000 men) under Chernishev. During this time, Daun would fix Frederick's Army. If ever Saltykov did not want to besiege Glogau, Daun would then have to propose that the Austrian and Russian armies should both advance on Breslau. Maria Theresa's main objectives were the junction with the Russian army and the establishment of the winter-quarters in Silesia. Finally, if Saltykov did not want to move, Daun was authorise to lay siege to Schweidnitz.
    • Loudon and Daun immediately wrote to Saltykov, exposing him the plan of their empress. They proposed to supply him with siege artillery and suggested that Loudon's Corps should make a junction with Chernishev's Corps near Beuthen (present-day Bytom Odrzański) or Carolath (present-day Siedlisko).

On August 27

  • Prussians
    • Goltz marched to Sophiental (present-day Zdziesławice) 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.
    • Prince Heinrich's troops reached Sponsberg (present-day Ozorowice).

On August 28

  • Prussians
    • Goltz passed the Oder at Köben (present-day Chobienia) and encamped near Glogau.
    • Prince Heinrich's troops rested at Sponsberg.
    • Austrians
    • Daun intended to besiege Schweidnitz, the necessary artillery being prepared at Glatz under the direction of M. de Gribeauval.

On August 29

  • Prussians
    • Prince Heinrich quitted his corps and personally went to Breslau, confiding his troops to Lieutenant-General von Forcade.
    • Forcade's Corps crossed the Oder with 24 bns and 38 sqns on the bridges established at Sandberg (unidentified location) and Pannewitz (unidentified location) and made a junction with Frederick's Army at Herrmannsdorf.
    • Frederick was now at the head of approx. 50,000 men. There were still no news of Lossow's detachment which had been sent towards Oels on August 23.

Frederick relieves Schweidnitz

Order of Battle
Detailed order of battle of Frederick's Army on August 30.

In the night of August 29 to 30, Frederick deployed his army (60 bns, 116 sqns for a total of approx. 50,000 men) in five groups along a line extending from Kammelwitz (present-day Kębłowice) by way of Kriptau (present-day Krzeptów) and Gross-Mochbern (present-day Muchobór Wielki) to Kentschkau (present-day Karncza Góra) to advance on the Austrian positions:

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.

Frederick still planned to advance against Daun, hoping to engage him in battle or at least to force him to evacuate Silesia. He was eager to return to Saxony where the situation was worsening.

On August 30

  • Prussians
    • At 2:00 a,m., Frederick set off from Kammelwitz with the vanguard. The groups assembled at Kriptau and Kentschkau followed in two columns. The baggage and their escorts also followed in two columns. He advanced towards the highway from Breslau to Schweidnitz.
    • On his way, Frederick learned that the Austrian entrenchments between the Zobten and the Weistritz were still incomplete. He considered an attack against Lacy's Corps, which was posted on the extreme right wing of Daun's positions. Frederick then rode by way Gross-Schottgau (present-day Sadków) and Gnichwitz (present-day Gniechowice) with the cavalry of the vanguard, reaching the heights of Wernersdorf (present-day Wojnarowice) around noon. Inspecting Lacy's positions, Frederick soon concluded that he could not successfully attack this corps. He then decided to turn the Austrian positions.
    • At 2:00 p.m., the main body of the Prussian army reached Christelwitz (present-day Kryształowice) and Gross-Sägewitz (unidentified location). Frederick ordered it to continue to march southwards. Frederick then led the vanguard by way of Rogau (present-day Rogów Sobócki) and Prschiedrowitz (present-day Przezdrowice) to a camp between Klein-Kniegnitz (present-day Księginice Małe) and Klein-Silsterwitz (present-day Sulistrowiczki). The baggage and their escorts were directed to Schwentnig (present-day Świątniki). The main body established its camp between Grunau (present-day Żerzuszyce) and Prschiedrowitz, facing westwards with the infantry in two lines and the cavalry forming a third. Frederick ordered to pitch tents.
    • The Prussian army then rested a few hours. Frederick still wanted to turn the Austrian positions and to attack them in the rear.
    • At 6:00 p.m., Frederick marched from Klein-Silsterwitz with the vanguard by way of Schlaupitz (present-day Słupice) in the direction of Langseifersdorf (present-day Jaźwina). The main body followed by way of Mellendorf (present-day Młynica) and Langenöls (present-day Oleszna).
    • Night had already fallen when the cavalry of the vanguard reached Langseifersdorf where they bumped into a few hundred Austrian dragoons, who were totally surprised. The Prussians then resumed their advance. However, they were now completely exhausted and Frederick was forced to halt between the Geiers-Berg (unidentified location) and Stoschendorf (present-day Stoszów) to give his troops some rest. The last troops could not reach the camp before August 31 at daybreak.
  • Austrians
    • Early in the morning, Daun was informed that Frederick's Army had set off from its camp at Herrmannsdrof and was marching in the direction of the Zobten. Daun immediately ordered Lacy's Corps, which was posted between Stephanshain and Kratzkau to move to its right and to effect a junction with Brentano's light troops, who were posted between Gorkau (present-day Górka Sobocka) and Qualkau on the north-western slope of the Zobten. The right wing of the main army, which was posted between Hohen-Poseritz and Raaben, crossed the Weistritz and occupied the Galgen-Berg, east of Domanze (present-day Domanice), while the cavalry of this wing took position between the Galgen-Berg and Guhlau (present-day Gola Świdnicka), facing eastwards perpendicular to Lacy's Corps. The left wing of the main army advanced to Hohen-Poseritz. By 9:00 a.m., the whole army had reached its assigned positions, ready for combat.
    • Loudon's Corps marched from Striegau towards Laasan (present-day Łażany), to be ready to support Daun's Army.
    • In the afternoon, when Daun was informed that the Prussians had encamped near Klein-Silsterwitz, he let the left wing of the main army go to the old camp south-east of Raaben. He kept only the right wing of the main army deployed between Domanze and Guhlau until nightfall. Similarly, Loudon returned to Striegau.

In the night of August 30 to 31, the Austrian generals were informed that Frederick had resumed his march southwards. Fearing to be cut from his line of communication with Bohemia, Daun decided to retire. In preparation for his manoeuvres, he let Lacy's Corps retire to new positions between Burkersdorf (present-day Burkatów) and Bögendorf (present-day Witoszów).

On August 31

  • Prussians
    • At daybreak, Frederick's last troops finally reached the Heights of Stoschendorf.
    • Early in the morning, Frederick detached 5 sqns of the Möhring Hussars to establish communication with the Fortress of Schweidnitz.
    • Frederick let his troops rest for a while. He then marched with the vanguard and the first line forward and reached the more open terrain between the Költschen-Berg (present-day Kiełczyn) and Faulbrück, where he established his camp,
    • Around 11:00 a.m., Frederick's second line, which had waited for the baggage north of Stoschendorf, followed. The baggage and train halted east of Költschen and Endersdorf (present-day Jędrzejowice). Frederick established his headquarters in Költschen. Since the presence of Jahnus's Corps had been reported near Langenbielau (present-day Bielawa), south of Reichenbach, Prinz Heinrich Fusiliers were deployed to secure the left flank.
    • Around noon, the 5 sqns of Möhring Hussars returned to Frederick's camp after carrying out their mission and reported that the entire Austrian army had withdrawn to the slopes of the mountains south-west of Schweidnitz.
  • Austrians
    • In the morning, Daun's Army came out of its camp near Konradswaldau and retired in three columns west of Schweidnitz towards Bögendorf. The Reserve Corps under Prince Löwenstein joined the main army west of Würben.
    • Daun's Army then took position between Bögendorf and Kunzendorf (present-day Mokrzeszów), behind Schweidnitz. Daun established his headquarters in Kunzendorf.
    • Beck's Corps followed the main army from Bockau to Arnsdorf, acting as rearguard. It then took position at Arnsdorf to secure the left wing.
    • Loudon set off from Striegau and took position at Kunzendorf, near Daun's Army, while he extended his left wing up to the heights south of Freiburg.
    • Nauendorf's Corps, which belonged to Loudon's Army, retired from Kuhnern, where it was posted to observe Breslau, to Striegau to reconnoitre in the direction of Schweidnitz.
    • Ried's detachment took position between Bögendorf and Schönbrunn (present-day Słotwina), facing Schweidnitz. Entrenchments were erected on the heights north of Schönbrunn and occupied by Grenzer light troops.
    • Daun soon abandoned his plan to lay siege to Schweidnitz and concentrated his attention on the protection of the Bohemian frontier.

Frederick had managed to break through the Austrian army-posts and to get Schweidnitz. His manoeuvres had forced Daun's Army out of its strong positions between the Zobten and the Striegauer Wasser and established a line of communication with Schweidnitz allowing the Prussians to relieve the place. However, Frederick had not managed to engage the Austrians. He was still in a very difficult situation and hoped to engage the Austrian army or at least to outmanoeuvre Daun and force him to withdraw from Silesia to Bohemia. However, Frederick could oppose only 50,000 men to Daun's 98,000. By the end of August, the various Austrian corps consisted of:

  • Daun's Main Army: 26,159 foot, 9,237 horse for a total of 35,396 men
  • Lacy's Corps: 12,221 foot, 6,883 horse for a total of 19,104 men
  • Beck's Corps: 4,526 foot, 1,471 horse for a total of 5,997 men
  • Ried's Corps: 2,352 foot, 1,287 horse for a total of 3,639 men
  • Loudon's Corps: 22,377 foot, 9,092 horse for a total of 31,469 men
  • Jahnus's Corps: 2,398 foot, 295 horse for a total of 2,693 men
  • Bethlen's Corps: 845 foot, 748 horse for a total of 1,593 men
  • near Glatz: 5,111 foot, 286 horse for a total of 5,397 men

On September 1

  • Prussians
    • Frederick cautiously approached the right wing of the Austrian army and, with his wing slightly bent back, encamped on the heights along the right bank of the Peile River, from Grâditz (present-day Grodziszcze) to Grunau (present-day Jagodnik). The Zieten Hussars encamped in front of his left wing, while most of the Prussian cavalry crossed the Peile and took position between Kletschkau (unidentified location) and Grunau.
    • While his troops worked at the encampment, Fredrick reconnoitred northwards in the direction of Schönbrunn and Bögendorf, escorted by a few dragoons and hussars and 2 bns of the garrison of Schweidnitz. The Grenzer light troops who had taken position between Schweidnitz and Cammerau(present-day Komorów) were driven back. Frederick found that Daun had very well chosen his new positions. Frederick was also informed that Brentano had taken position near Burkersdorf with his light troops, blocking the way to the mountains. Frederick could not continue his turning movement around the Austrian right wing without running the risk of being cut off from Silesia and trapped in the mountains.

On September 2

  • Prussians
    • Frederick gave a day of rest to his army. He planned to cross the Weistritz near Schweidnitz on the following night and to march on Striegau, hoping to lure Daun to offer battle.
    • Lieutenant-Colonel von Lossow finally reached Breslau with the detachment that Prince Heinrich had confided him on August 26, instructing him to harass the Russians. From Breslau, the 2 sqns of Alt-Platen Dragoons rejoined Goltz's Corps near Glogau.

In the night of September 2 to 3

  • Prussians
    • Frederick's Army crossed the Peile and the Weistritz.
    • Around 2:00 a.m., Zieten crossed the Peile River near Pilzen (present-day Boleścin) with the vanguard (Zieten Hussars and the Reserve), advanced south of Schweidnitz and took position on the heights to the north-east of Schönbrunn to cover the crossing of the Weistriz River by the main body of Frederick's Army. Zieten's column was followed by the cavalry of the right wing.
    • At 4:00 a.m., the main body set off from its camp in two columns and crossed the Weistritz River near Grunau and Kletschkau.
    • As soon as the leading infantry brigades had crossed to the west bank of the Weistritz, Zieten marched in the direction of Jauernick (present-day Stary Jaworów) with the vanguard. The main army followed in three columns to the north and south of Schweidnitz.

On September 3

  • Prussians
    • The Prussian army continued its march in three columns on the road to Jauernick, by way of Tunkendorf (present-day Tomkowa) and Bunzelwitz (present-day Bolesławice) towards Tschechen.
  • Austrians
    • Early in the morning, Daun was informed of the advance of Frederick's Army, but he remained in his positions.
    • Major-General von Ried retired from his positions, south of Schönbrunn, as Zieten's vanguard approached. However, he later harassed Frederick's rearguard.
  • Engagement of Wickendorf
    • Beck's Corps stood at Arnsdorf.
    • As Zieten approached, Beck sent a strong detachment to occupy the Castle of Nieder-Arnsdorf, while his Grenzer light troops and his Silesian Volunteers deployed in the bushes along the stream that flows north-west from Nieder-Arnsdorf.
    • The rest of Beck's troops took position on the ridge south-west of this stream, facing towards Wickendorf (present-day Witkow) .
    • Ramin's Brigade, forming the Prussian rearguard, was passing near Wickendorf when Beck's Grenzer light troops occupied this village.
    • Frederick authorised Major-General von Ramin to attack Wickendorf. Supported by his heavy artillery pieces, Ramin managed to make himself master of Wickendorf with the II./Ramin Infantry and the I./Manteuffel Infantry.
    • Ramin was unable to hold his position when Forgách Infantry appeared on the nearby heights.
    • Frederick did not intend to get entangled in minor combats which would not lead to a decisive confrontation with Daun. Already, a few grenadier bns and the carabinier coys of Daun's Army were approaching Arnsdorf and Loudon's Corps was deployed in order of battle between Kunzendorf and Freiburg.
    • In this minor engagement, the Prussians lost 27 men killed and 2 officers and 116 men wounded; the Austrians, 131 men killed, 226 wounded and 53 missing.
    • At the time, Frederick's vanguard was between Striegau and Stanowitz (present-day Stanowice) and his main body between Tschechen and Jauernick. Ramin's Brigade retired towards Jauernick. Beck remained near Arnsdorf.
  • Austrians (after the engagement of Wickendorf)
    • General von Nauendorf (3 chevau-léger rgts, 3 hussar rgt, 2 Grenzer bns) had observed Frederick's march from the height to the north-west of Striegau. He sent back his Grenzer bns to Hohenfriedeberg (present-day Dobromierz) and he retired with his cavalry to new positions between Teichau (present-day Stawiska) and Thomaswaldau (present-day Tomkowice). He finally decided to follow his infantry but Zieten Hussars caught up with the of his column and inflicted him a few casualties.
  • Prussians (after the engagement of Wickendorf)
    • Frederick's Army encamped between Stanowitz and Jauernick. Zieten took position between Teichau and Nieder-Stanowitz with the vanguard. The right wing of the army was between Stanowitz and Tschechen, extending on the ridge up to Jauernick and Bunzelwitz. Frederick established his headquarters at Jauernick.
    • Ramin's Brigade made a junction with the main body.

On September 4, Frederick moved his headquarters to Bunzelwitz. Frederick planned to remain in these positions until his army could be resupplied with bread.

On September 5

  • Prussians
    • Lossow followed Frederick's Army with the rest of his detachment.
    • The field bakery, which had been sent from Breslau, arrived at Frederick's camp and immediately started to bake bread.
    • Frederick planned to make another attempt to turn the Austrian left wing on September 9.
  • Austrians
    • On Daun's orders, Loudon informed Count Saltykov that, although Frederick was facing the Austrian army, Loudon was nevertheless ready to march to the Oder with his own corps, covered by the Katzbach River, to make a junction near Steinau or Köben with a Russian corps to be sent across the river. Loudon also specified that Saltykov should first first advance to the Oder with his whole army and only then allow a corps to cross the river.

On September 6

  • Prussians
    • Frederick's Army
      • Lossow's detachment arrived at Frederick's camp. Frederick sent Lossow back to Breslau with 4 hussar sqns to secure the lines of communication between Breslau, Glogau and Bunzelwitz.
    • Goltz's Army
      • Goltz detached 800 horse towards Liegnitz because the Cossacks were threatening his lines of communication with Frederick's Army. Goltz also detached some infantry to support his cavalry detachment and a a force under Major-General von Werner to come to the relief of the Fortress of Colberg in Pomerania, which was threatened by the Russians. Werner's detachment consisted of 1 grenadier bn, 2 Freibataillon and the 10 sqns of Werner Hussars.

While encamped at Bunzelwitz, Frederick was informed that the Russian Corps of the Vistula had sent 4,000 men to occupy the Gollenberg near Köslin (present-day Koszalin) and that heavy artillery had been embarked aboard ships at Pillau (present-day Baltiysk). There was no doubt that the Russians planned to lay siege to Colberg.

Daun was now lacking provisions which were far away in Bohemia and the roads grew daily more insecure.

On September 8, Goltz informed Frederick that the Russians seemed to be preparing to cross the Oder in two corps at Köben and Steinau. However, Frederick continued with his plan to turn the Austrian positions.

On September 11

  • Russians
    • 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).
  • Prussians
    • Ignoring Fermor's design, Frederick tried to turn Daun's left flank to reach Landeshut.
    • Around 4:00 a.m., Frederick began his manoeuvre. Zieten led the vanguard, which marched in three columns. Then the first line marched by way of Teichau and Hausdorf (present-day Jugowa) towards Alt-Börnchen (present-day Bronów); and the second line, crossed the Striegauer Wasser between Teichau and Gräben (unidentified location) and marched southwards in the direction of Thomaswaldau beyond Hausdorf. A third column consisting of 25 dragoon sqns (Normann, Czettritz, Krockow, Holstein and Finckenstein) marched by way of Gräben and through the northern outskirt of Hausdorf.
    • As soon as the three columns had crossed the Striegauer Wasser, the baggage and train, which had been assembled near Striegau, marched in four columns to Rohnstock (present-day Roztoka). The rearguard under Major-General von Ramin (Manteuffel Infantry, Goltz Infantry, Prinz Heinrich Fusiliers and 1 bn of Ramin Infantry, 10 sqns of Bayreuth Dragoons, 2 sqns of Jung-Platen Dragoons, 1 sqn of Württemberg Dragoons, 10 sqns of Zieten Hussars and 10 twelve-pdrs) stopped for a while on the Pfaffenberg near Jauernick and then followed the army.
  • Austrians
    • Around 5:30 a.m., Daun was informed of the march of Frederick's Army. He gave orders to General von Beck, who was posted near Arnsdorf with his corps to follow the Prussians. Daun also sent Colonel von Normann with 4 grenadier bns and the Prince of Löwenstein with the Reserve of the army to support Beck.
    • Daun initially thought that Frederick was marching towards Striegau. However, he soon learned that the march of the Prussian army was more and more turning towards the mountains. Apparently, Frederick was trying to reach the road leading from Freiburg by way of Reichenau (present-day Bogaczowice) or Waldenburg to Landeshut. Daun immediately ordered FZM Count Lacy, who was posted on the right wing with his corps, to set off for Landeshut, to occupy the heights north of the town to secure the local magazines and the field bakery.
    • Daun's Army then marched in three columns towards Reichenau.
    • Meanwhile, Loudon had ridden up to the heights south-east of Ölse (present-day Olszany), from where he realised that the Prussian columns were marching towards Kauder (present-day Kłaczyna). Thus there could be no more doubt as to Frederick's intention. Therefore, Loudon sent Nauendorf's Grenzer light troops, who were reinforced by his hurriedly assembled Grenadier Corps (converged grenadier coys and elite cavalry coys) to occupy the woods between Alt-Börnchen and Kauder and to position guns on the heights to the south-east of Alt-Börnchen to delay Frederick's march for as long as possible. Major-General von Nauendorf was also instructed to reach the heights between Ober-Baumgarten (present-day Sady Górne) and Reichenau as soon as possible with his 3 chevau-léger rgts and 3 hussar rgts to delay the advance of the Prussians until the arrival of Daun's main army. During this time, Loudon's Corps advanced from Freiburg by way of Frölichsdorf (present-day Cieszów) to Hohenfriedeberg.
  • Confrontation with Loudon's
    • While Loudon was rearranging his positions, Frederick's Army had continued its march in the direction of Kauder, West of Hausdorf it came under fire of Loudon's artillery. The Prussian columns then turned right and, tightly packed together, reached the narrow valley of Kauder, To ward off Loudon's Grenzer light troops, who constantly harassed the Prussian columns from their positions in the bushes and wooded areas south of Kauder, each brigade of the left column, which had crossed the narrow valley, had to push 3 bns to the left up the wooded slopes, until they were relieved by the following brigade. In this way, it was possible to keep the slopes of the narrow valley free from enemy light troops and to move through this dangerous location without significant losses and long delays. West of Kauder, the head of the Prussian columns came out of the valley of the Wütende Neisse at Ober-Baumgarten. They halted on the heights between Ober-Baumgarten and Reichenau to allow each brigade to reorganise.
    • When Loudon was informed that Frederick had not been stopped by his Grenzer light troops and grenadiers and had resumed his march to Baumgarten, he decided to take position near Neu-Reichenau with his corps. The main body of his corps, which had just reached Hohenfriedeberg, was therefore ordered to enter the valley of Quolsdorf (present-day Chwaliszów) and Alt-Reichenau and to force march to Neu-Reichenau. Nauendorf was instructed to advance to Giesmannsdorf (present-day Gostków) where he would join the Grenzer light troops and the Grenadier Corps. Alt-Reichenau was reached without incident. However, as the long column crossed the narrow valley of this village, it came under artillery fire from the northern ridge. The Prussians had spotted the advance of Loudon's Corps and were trying to stop its march with some hastily deployed guns. Loudon was forced to incline left, but he managed to extricate his corps, albeit with some casualties, from this unfavourable positions and to take position on the heights south of Reichenau, blocking Frederick's way.
    • Frederick could not take advantage of the successful attack against Loudon, because Daun's main army was already approaching Alt-Reichenau from Freiburg. Furthermore, Frederick had previously been informed that Beck's Corps and the Reserve Corps under Prince Löwenstein were following him by way of Jauernick. He was therefore constantly worried about his baggage and train throughout the march and had already ordered General von Ramin to march with the rearguard from Hausdorf to Rohnstock and bring the baggage and train that had arrived there to the army by way of Kauder. Frederick also left the last infantry brigade of the first line behind to occupy the narrow valley of Kauder. Frederick did not want to advance further beyond Baumgarten with the army until the train, which was so absolutely necessary for the provisions, was safe.
    • Frederick's precautions were only too justified, for even if Beck did not attack the rearguard, he nevertheless accompanied its march from Rohnstock to Kauder, where a fierce firefight broke out at the entrance to the narrow valley. Nevertheless, the Prussian convoy managed to go through the valley. The convoy was now in security but the sun was already setting. Frederick decided to encamp near Baumgarten.
    • The Prussian positions extended to the south and east of Ober-Baumgarten and Nieder-Baumgarten, blocking the débouchés of the valleys of Reichenau, Quolsdorf and Hohenfriedeberg. The largest part of the cavalry encamped in one line north of Ober-Baumgarten. The train and baggage were placed behind the cavalry.
    • Loudon established a battery north of Reichenau. His left wing extended westwards up to the valley of the Giessbach and his right wing was deployed in several lines south of Reichenau opposite Ober-Baumgarten.
    • Nauendorf's cavalry was posted west of the Giessbach, at the extreme left wing of Loudon's Corps, on the road leading from Giesmannsdorf to Landeshut.
    • During this time, Lacy's Corps had reached the heights to the north-east of Landeshut; and Daun's main army had reached Alt-Reichenau. Daun established his camp on the heights between the Sattel-Wald south of Reichenau and the Popel-Berg east of Quolsdorf. His right flank was protected from Fröhlichsdorf to Freiburg by Wied's Corps (Grenadier and Carabinier Corps, 2 infantry rgts and 2 cavalry rgts, with 3 infantry rgts belonging to the Reserve).
    • Prince Löwenstein was following Beck to Hohenfriedeberg with the remaining units of the Reserve (2 Grenzer bns, Serbelloni Cuirassiers, Stampach Cuirassiers, St. Ignon Chevaulegers). Beck's Corps had taken position in the woods north-west of Hohenfriedeberg on the left flank of the Prussians. Ried's detachment was posted at Arnsdorf to cover Daun's position from any attack from the garrison of Schweidnitz. Jahnus's Corps (approx. 2,700 men) was posted at Burkersdorf. The baggage and train of the Austrian army had been assembled at Gottesberg, south of Reichenau.

In the night of September 11 to 12

On September 12

  • Combat of Hohen-Petersdorf
    • Prince Löwenstein wanted to march with his troops from Hohenfriedeberg to the heights of Hohen-Petersdorf to support Beck's Corps.
    • Löwenstein had barely approached Hohenfriedeberg when he was engaged in combat. However, there was no longer any reason for him to get involved in a serious combat, and he decided to withdraw from hill to hill.
    • The Zieten Hussars managed to break Löwenstein's retreating Grenzer bns and to inflict them heavy losses.
    • The rest of Wied's cavalry could not catch up with the retreating enemies.
    • In this affair, the Austrians lost approx. 700 men (including 17 officers, 5 volunteers and 470 men taken prisoners), while the Prussians lost 10 men killed and 21 wounded.
  • Austrians
    • Löwenstein made a junction with Beck's Corps near Ölse and they retired to Freiburg. Beck then advanced again towards Möhnersdorf (present-day Jaskulin).
    • As Wied's Corps returned to the Prussian camp at Baumgarten, Beck reoccupied strong positions at Hohenfriedeberg.
  • Prussians
    • Early in the morning, Prussian patrols discovered Nauendorf's camp near Giesmannsdorf. Since this 6,000 men strong corps was very close to his right flank, Frederick detached Major-General von Syburg to the Kahl-Berg, north of Giesmannsdorf, with 5 grenadier bns (Jung-Billerbeck, Schwarz, Carlowitz, Bähr, [[29/31 Östenreich Grenadiers|Falkenhayn) of his right wing, the Czettritz Dragoons and Möhring Hussars.
    • In the afternoon, Frederick was informed that Lacy's Corps had taken position at Landeshut, and that the Austrians were putting the vicinity of Hirschberg to contribution.
    • Frederick was once more in a critical situation. Austrian corps were deployed in a half-circle around his positions. In this difficult terrain, he first had to find out more about their exact positions before making any new decisions. Accordingly, he remained in his naturally strong positions and fortified them, since a surprise attack was by no means impossible given the mountainous terrain and the proximity of the enemy, who was far superior in number. Redoubts were erected on the heights of St. Anna and St. Nicholas chapels, overlooking the deep valley of Reichenau. These redoubts were occupied by strong infantry outposts, to which larger cavalry commands were attached.

In the night of September 12 to 13, Major-General Count d'Ayasasa arrived at Daun's camp with new instructions from the Court of Vienna. Daun was awaiting the Court's answer with stress and unease. His entire conduct, his reports to the Empress, his consultations with his generals, everything clearly expresses the great uncertainty overwhelming the commander-in-chief of the Austrian army when facing Frederick. In the past, Daun always calmly remained in fixed positions until Frederick was forced to attack him or to retreat. However, now, the dreaded opponent no longer seemed ready to attack, but was using Daun's own delaying tactic. Maria Theresa did not ask Daun to attack the enemy in his present, very strong position, if the unanimous opinion of all generals was that this seemed too dangerous. However, that shouldn't be used as a pretext for doing nothing at all. In fact, offensive manoeuvres should be started immediately and with the greatest vigour. To this end Saltykov's willingness should be trusted and Loudon should be sent with at least 40,000 men to make a junction with the Russians on the Oder. If it was necessary to cover Loudon's march against the Prussians, the empress did not object that Daun could advance towards Goldberg or the Oder with the rest of army.

On September 13

  • Austrians
    • Daun reconnoitred Frederick's entrenched camp and found it very strong.
  • Russians
    • Fermor quitted Guhrau and marched towards Carolath.
  • Prussians
    • Frederick sent Major-General von Krockow with a strong detachment (I./Knobloch Infantry, I./Thile Infantry, 200 cuirassiers, 800 dragoons and 300 hussars) by way of Ketschdorf (present-day Kaczorów) towards Hirschberg to prevent further raids in those areas and behind his army. Near Rudelstadt (present-day Ciechanowice), this detachment bumped into a detachment of Saxon Uhlans belonging to Lacy's Corps, forcing it to retire towards Fischbach (present-day Karpniki). To make reconnaissance in the direction of Landeshut, Krockow halted at Ketschdorf.
    • Lieutenant-General von der Goltz and the commandant of Breslau both reported that the Russian army, which had meanwhile marched from Herrnstadt to Fraustadt (present-day Wschowa), would certainly retreat to Poland.

On September 14

  • Prussians
    • Krockow's detachment sojourned at Ketschdorf. Krockow informed Frederick that Löwenberg, Lähn and Hirschberg were free from Austrian troops, but that Nieder-Merzdorf and the heights near Rohnau (present-day Wieściszowice) and Reussendorf (present-day Raszów) were occupied by the enemy.
  • Austrians
    • When Lacy was informed of the presence of a Prussian detachment at Ketschdorf, he sent Esterházy and Brentano to Rudelstadt and Fischback to put a stop to the advance of this detachment. Lacy then followed with the main body of his corps.
    • In the evening, Lacy's main body reached Reussendorf and Rohnau. Daun hoped that this manoeuvre would force Frederick to abandon his current positions.
  • Russians
    • Count Fermor answered Loudon's message dated September 5, in which the latter suggested to send a Russian corps across the Oder or to advance with the whole Russian army by way of Glogau towards Köben or Steinau. Fermor rejected these suggestions and justified his decision by saying that any Russian corps crossing the Oder would be exposed to attack on two fronts from the Prussian garrison of Glogau and the Prussian troops posted on the Katzbach River, and could be cut off from his line of supply with Poland. However, Fermor mentioned that, according to earlier agreements, the Russian army would reach the Oder near Beuthen on September 17 or 18.

On September 15

  • Prussians
    • Around noon, Major-General von Krockow set off from Ketschdorf with his detachment and returned to Frederick's camp.
    • Frederick decided to make a last attempt to drive the Austrians out of Silesia and then to leave for Saxony where General von Hülsen was in a desperate situation.
    • Frederick received another report form Goltz (dated September 13), informing him that the Russian army was advancing from Fraustadt and should reach Schlichtingsheim (present-day Szlichtyngowa), 12 km to the north-east of Glogau, on September 14; that Totleben's Corps was posted near Guhlau (present-day Gola), north of Glogau and Chernishev's Corps was posted near Kuttlau (present-day Kotla), to the north-west of Glogau. All news indicated that the Russians would march by way of Züllichau to Crossen or Frankfurt an der Oder. The situation in Pomerania was also very worrying with General von Jung-Stutterheim being hard pressed by the Swedes. Furthermore, the Russians had undertaken the siege of Colberg.
  • Austrians
    • Lacy's Corps returned to its camp near Landeshut.
    • Daun, Lacy and Loudon designed a plan to attack Frederick. In the night of September 16 to 17, Loudon would march in two columns by way of Giesmannsdorf and at 4:00 a.m., he would attack Syburg's detachment, which was posted on the Kahl-Berg. Lacy's Corps would support Loudon by advancing by way of Kunzendorf in the rear of Syburg's detachment to prevent Frederick from rushing to Syburg's support. After the capture of the Kahl-Berg, both corps would then swing around the right flank and rear of Frederick's main positions near Ober-Baumgarten. Meanwhile, Daun would launch an all-out attack against Frederick's left wing by way of Hohen-Petersdorf, while small detachments would fix Frederick's centre. Finally, Beck's and Ried's corps would block Frederick's line of retreat, thus completing the encirclement.

On September 16

  • Austrians
    • In preparation for the planned attack, Lacy's Corps set off from Landeshut and marched in the direction of Nieder-Kunzendorf.
    • Daun reconnoitred the terrain before Frederick's positions once more, and had new doubts as to the feasibility of the planned attack. He recalled Lacy to Landeshut and the attack was postponed.
  • Prussians
    • To ease the retreat of his army, Frederick relocated all the cavalry encamped north of Ober-Baumgarten and the train behind his left wing, opposite Hohen-Petersdorf.
    • Lieutenant-General Baron von der Goltz sent a message to Frederick from Zerbau (present-day Serby), informing him that the Russians planned to send a corps towards Neumark and Pomerania.

On September 17

  • Combat of Hoch-Giersdorf
    • Around 2:00 a.m., Syburg's detachment evacuated the Kahl-Berg, north of Giesmannsdorf, and rejoined the main army.
    • 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 Hohenfriedeberg.
    • Daun sent d'Ayasassa to occupy the Heights of Kunzendorf, preventing once more Frederick's designs.
    • Despite a tactical victory in the Combat of Hoch-Giersdorf (present-day Modliszów), Frederick had to abandon his plan but he was now threatening Daun's communications with Glatz.
    • During the various engagements of this day, the Austrians lost 14 officers and 612 men killed, wounded or taken prisoners; and 17 artillery pieces and 18 ammunition wagons. The Prussians lost 18 officers and 964 men, along with 1 battalion piece.
  • Prussians
  • Austrians
    • Daun had posted the main Austrian army between Bögendorf and Kunzendorf to take the Prussian army under artillery fire from the heights near Ober-Bögendorf. However, when he realised that additional Prussian troops had reached the plateau of Hoch-Giersdorf and that a serious battle had developed there, he retired to Seitendorf with his army. He reached Seitendorf as elements of the Prussian left wing reached Juliansdorf (probably Stary Julianów).
    • In fact, Ried's Corps had taken position Neukraussendorf and Reussendorf, while Jahnus's small corps was at Charlottenbrunn (present-day Jedlina-Zdrój).
    • When it became evident that the Prussians had ceased their advance, Daun's Army encamped with its right wing at Seitendorf, where Daun established his headquarters, and its left wing extending up to Ober-Kunzendorf. Beck's Corps took position between Ober-Kunzendorf and Ober-Bögendorf, and the Prince Löwenstein took position near Ober-Kunzendorf with the Reserve. The Grenadier Corps took position between Neukraussendorf and Neuseitendorf to maintain communication with Ried's Corps.
    • Loudon took position facing southwards between Nieder-Adelsbach (present-day Struga) and Liebichau (present-day Lubiechów) with his army, leaving Toscana Infantry and Salm Infantry behind at Freiburg. Nauendorf's Corps remained near Möhnersdorf.
    • Lacy received orders to advance from Landeshut to Lang-Waltersdorf (present-day Unisław Śląski) and to block all roads in the vicinity.

Frederick and Daun then sat looking into one another's faces.

On September 18

  • Confrontation near Dittmannsdorf (present-day Dziećmorowice)
    • Early in the morning, some Prussian heavy artillery pieces posted near Dittmannsdorf opened against Ried's positions. The Austrian artillery soon answered and a lively artillery duel ensued. Daun despatched 3 infantry rgts to reinforce Ried. Similarly, Loudon sent 15 bns towards Altwasser (present-day Stary Zdrój), 2 km south of Seitendorf, to support Ried's Corps.
  • Prussians
    • Frederick decided to penetrate deeper into the mountains to turn the Austrian right wing. His army marched in the direction of Neukraussendorf. However, Frederick soon realised that the Austrians already occupied the heights between Neukraussendorf and Seitendorf. as well as the vicinities of the Dittersbach and south of Reussendorf. He deployed his heavy artillery and opened against the Austrian positions at Neukraussendorf. However, it soon became apparent that not only Ried's Corps but also the forces occupying the other heights had heavy artillery at their disposal.
    • Frederick could not take the risk to push through the Austrian position surrounding him in a semi-circle because he had no idea what was hiding behind their advanced detachments. He knew that Daun's main corps was posted to his right from Seitendorf to Kunzendorf, but he did not know where Loudon's Army was. Therefore, Frederick put an end to the artillery duel and withdrew his vanguard by way of Dittmannsdorf to Neudörfel. His attempt to drive the Austrians out of Silesia had finally failed.
    • With the Austrian positions surrounding him in a large arc to the left, Frederick was forced to rearrange his positions. The whole Prussian army turned southwards, so that Frederick's right wing, which had been between Nieder-Bögendorf and the foot of the mountains, was now anchored on Hoch-Giersdorf. The new positions followed the ridges of the heights up to Juliansdorf. They then inclined towards Dittmannsdorf and extended on both sides of this village up to the Münsterhöhe (present-day Klasztorzysko), south-east of Reussendorf. Only the cuirassier rgts and the Dingelstedt Hussars remained in the plain between Nieder-Bögendorf and the foot of the mountains under Zieten. To cover this cavalry, the Garrison Regiment Jung-Sydow occupied a knoll near Nieder-Bögendorf. To maintain communication between Zieten's cavalry and the right wing of the army, Lieutenant-General von Forcade took position on the heights to the north and north-east of Hoch-Giersdorf with Hülsen Infantry and the I./Garrison Regiment Alt-Sydow. Major-General von Wangenheim occupied the heights between Kohlhaus (unidentified location) and Hausdorf with Jung Braunschweig Fusiliers, Diericke Fusiliers, I,/Kleist Infantry, I./Thile Infantry, and 300 Möhring Hussars to secure the left flank. The second line was posted behind the right wing between Hoch-Giersdorf and Dittmannsdorf. A large battery of heavy artillery was established near Juliansdorf. The dragoon rgts took position between Hoch-Giersdorf and Dittmannsdorf, forming a third line. The Zieten Hussars and Möhring Hussars encamped behind the infantry of the left wing between Dittmannsdorf and the Münsterhöhe. The headquarters were established at Dittmannsdorf.
    • Frederick received a message from Goltz (dated September 16), informing him that the Russians planned to send a corps towards Neumark and Pomerania, but he did not take this warning seriously. He decided to send Lieutenant-Colonel von Lossow with 700 hussars (400 Werner Hussars and 4 sqns of Ruesch Hussars) from Breslau to reinforce Goltz at Frankfurt an der Oder.
    • Frederick received a message from Hülsen announcing that the enemies were so vastly superior that he thought he would be unable to defend Saxony.
  • Austrians
    • Jahnus's Corps was reinforced by Lacy's light troops under Major-General Brentano and took position near Erlenbusch (present-day Olszyniec) to secure the roads leading to Braunau and Friedland.
  • Russians
    • In the afternoon, the main army marched towards Carolath, where it intended to cross the Oder.

In the night of September 18 to 19, the 15 bns of Loudon's Army, which had been sent forward to Altwasser, rejoined his army on the heights near Waldenburg.

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.

On September 20, Loudon finally received an answer to the letter he had sent to Saltykov on September 5. Loudon thus learned that Count Fermor, who was assuming interim command during Saltykov's illness, had rejected his suggestions but had agreed to reach the Oder with his army near Beuthen on September 17 or 18. It was then up to Loudon to unite with the Russians, after which they could proceed to the siege of Glogau. However, Loudon was still of the opinion that the sending of 40,000 men of the Austrian army to Glogau would not correspond to the current situation and was even dangerous, because he feared that Frederick would answer by diverting stronger forces to the Katzbach River or would even hurry to the relief of Glogau.

In the night of September 20 to 21

  • Austrians
    • The light troops of Jahnus and Brentano turned the positions of a Prussian detachment (100 men) north-west of Hausdorf, inflicting some losses and capturing an artillery piece. They were finally driven back by the I./Thile Infantry.
  • Prussians

On September 22

  • Austrians
    • Loudon answered to Fermor, informing him that the siege of Glogau could not be considered because it was impossible to get the heavy siege artillery there in time. However, he mentioned that FML von Plunkett would present Fermor a new plan on behalf of Daun. This was Montalembert's plan to induce Frederick to divide his forces by sending an Austrian corps of 25,000 under Loudon and 20,000 Russians to the Mark. This would give Daun the opportunity to attack the weakened Prussian army that was standing opposite him with overwhelming superiority and to defeat it.
    • Lacy and Loudon considered that the general situation was ideal to send a corps directly towards Berlin. Plunkett had been instructed to invite Fermor to take part in these operations. Daun wanted to wait for Fermor's answer before executing this plan.

On September 23, Frederick received the news that General von Werner had successfully relieved Colberg. Frederick was now convinced that the Russians would finally retreat towards Poland.

On September 24

  • Prussians
    • Frederick sent orders to Goltz to turn his attention to Saxony as soon as the Russians would begin their retreat.
    • Frederick informed Lieutenant-General von Treskow, commanding in Neisse, that he would send a weak detachment to him and that rumours should be spread that this detachment numbered 14 bns and 30 sqns. The detachment would march for two days by way of Nimptsch and Münsterberg, as if intending to take the road leading to Moravia. To make this diversion more credible, Treskow was ordered to assemble an artillery train of 10 to 15 twelve-pdrs and 6 mortars at Neisse and to prepare his garrison as if he planned to make a junction with the advancing detachment.
    • In the evening, Lieutenant-General Count Wied silently left Frederick's camp with the Anhalt Bernburg Infantry, Gabelentz Fusiliers and 1 bn of Knobloch Infantry and marched to Ober-Weistritz (present-day Bystrzyca Górna) where he encamped.

On September 25

On September 26, Wied's detachment continued its march.

On September 27, Daun, who had been informed that 3 cavalry rgts under Wied would advance in Upper Silesia but had not observed any movement yet, detached FML Ellrichshausen with a few bns and 2 dragoon rgts from Loudon's Corps to the County of Glatz to support Bethlen, if necessary.

On September 28

  • Austrians
    • As Wied<s detachment approached, Major-General Bethlen, who was observing the Fortress of Neisse with a small detachment, retired to Neustadt (present-day Prudnik) by way of Oppersdorf (present-day Wierzbiecice).
    • The Grenzer light troops of Jahnus and Loudon replaced Brentano's detachment at Erlenbusch. The Grenzer light troops of Major-General Jahnus then occupied the passes of Wartha and Silberberg to cover Ellrichshausen march towards the County of Glatz.
    • Fermor's positive answer finally arrived at Daun's headquarters. In the meantime, Daun had decided not to use Loudon's Corps (25,000 men) for these operations, but to send the much weaker Lacy's Corps (18,000 men), because it would take longer to Frederick to notice its departure from Lang-Waltersdorf while Loudon's Corps was posted too close to the Prussians to benefit from this advantage.
    • Lacy's Corps set off from Lang-Waltersdorf and marched by way of Bunzlau to make a junction with a Russian corps, reaching Seitendorf 18 km west of Hohenfriedeberg in the evening.
  • Prussians
    • Wied's detachment reached Stephansdorf (present-day Radzikowice), 6 km to the north-west of Neisse, after having marched by way of Nimptsch and Münsterberg. The II./Mosel Infantry and 1 sqn of Alt-Platen Dragoons, belonging to the garrison of Neisse, made a junction with Wied's detachment at Stephansdorf.
    • Frederick was informed that Daun had sent a corps of approx. 12,000 men (probably referring to Lacy's and Brentano's corps) by way of Friedland towards the County of Glatz. Frederick was disappointed by this news, he expected Daun to send a much larger corps to defend Moravia against Wied's enterprises and thus give him the opportunity to attack the main Austrian army. He sent orders to Wied, instructing him to give the impression that he was marching against Troppau.

On September 29

  • Prussians
    • Major-General von Krockow was detached with 800 selected horse, the Holstein Dragoons (5 sqns) and 400 hussars (from Dingelstedt and Zieten) to reconnoitre in the direction of Jauer.
  • Austrians
    • Once out of sight of Frederick, Lacy whirled, at a rapid pace, into the opposite direction. Its real destination being Berlin.

On September 30

  • Prussians
    • Wied's detachment set off from Stephansdorf and marched by way of Neisse and reached Oppersdorf. In Neisse, it was joined by the I./Garrison Regiment Mellin and a hussar detachment. He was now at the head of 7 bns, 16 sqns, a large hussar detachment and a few heavy artillery pieces.
    • Major-General von Aschersleben followed the Austrians retiring by way of Lindewiese (present-day Lipowa) with Wied's cavalry and drove them back beyond Dittmannsdorf. Aschersleben let the Krockow Dragoons, 1 sqn of Alt-Platen Dragoons and his hussars at Dittmannsdorf and rejoined Wied's detachment at Oppersdorf with the rest of the cavalry.
  • Austrians
    • Major-General von Bethlen, realising that the Prussians posted at Dittmannsdorf were not very numerous, attacked them by surprise with the Kálnoky Hussars and 200 dragoons and drove them back towards Oppersdorf. Nevertheless, Wied remained at Oppersdorf, while Bethlen took position near Kunzendorf, to the south-east of Neustadt.

On October 2

  • Prussians
    • Realising the Wied's expedition had not produced the desired results, Frederick recalled his detachment to the main army.
    • Frederick received a message from Goltz, dated September 30, informing him that the Russian army had marched in four columns from the vicinity of Glogau and headed westwards: Rumyantsev by way of Kontopp (present-day Konotop) towards Züllichau; Saltykov and Fermor by way of Neusalz (present-day Nowa Sól) towards Grünberg (present-day Zielona Góra); Chernishev towards Christianstadt (present-day Krzystkowice); and Totleben by way of Rückersdorf (present-day Siecieborzyce) and Sagan towards Sorau (present-day Żary). Frederick immediately ordered Goltz to prepare bread and biscuits and to take the road to Berlin as soon as possible to make a junction with Stutterheim's Corps.
    • Tauentzien, commanding in Breslau, informed Frederick of the march of Lacy's Corps by way of Goldberg towards Bunzlau. It had taken a while before Frederick realised that Berlin was under attack.

On October 3

  • Austrians
    • Ellrichshausen's detachment finally reached Johannesberg where it took position.

On October 4, Frederick was informed of the fall of Torgau in Saxony and decided to retreat from Silesia and to march towards Saxony or Berlin depending on the evolution of the situation.

On October 6, Wied arrived in the vicinity of Schweidnitz with the cavalry and the heavy artillery of his detachment. Frederick had sent Wied's infantry (Anhalt Bernburg Infantry, Gabelentz Fusiliers, 1 bn of Knobloch Infantry, and II./Mosel Infantry) to Breslau under Major-General Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg to reinforce the garrison.

On October 7

  • Prussians
    • At 3:00 a.m., Frederick left Silesia in a hurry to relieve Berlin. He assembled his army near Schweidnitz and encamped at Bunzelwitz, pushing his vanguard (10 grenadier bns and 25 sqns under Zieten) to Striegau.
  • Austrians
    • 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

  • Prussians
    • Frederick marched to Konradsdorf (present-day Konradowka) near Haynau.
  • Austrians
    • Daun marched to Schönewald (unidentified location) and Wiesenthal (present-day Bystrzyca) in front of Lahn (present-day Wleń).

On October 10

  • Prussians
    • Frederick marched to Primkenau (present-day Przemków).
  • Austrians
    • Daun passed the Bober River, and reached Neulande (unidentified location) near Löwenberg.

On October 11

  • Prussians
    • Frederick marched to Sagan.
  • Austrians
    • Daun sojourned at Neulande.

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

On October 13

  • Prussians
    • Frederick reached Sommerfeld (present-day Lubsko).
  • Austrians
    • Daun marched to Penzig (present-day Piensk) behind the Neisse River.

On October 14

  • Prussians
    • Frederick planned to advance against the main Russian 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.
  • Austrians
    • 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 the County of Glatz.

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, 201, 216-217, Anhang 2-3
    • Vol. 13 Torgau, Berlin, 1914, pp. 1-70, 81-101, Anhang 6
  • 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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