Battle of Hochkirch
The Battle of Hochkirch, fought on October 14, 1758, during the Seven Years' War, was a significant military engagement between Prussian and Austrian forces. As Prussian troops, led by Frederick the Great, sought to secure their hold on Silesia and Saxony, they faced a substantial threat from an Austrian army under Marshal Leopold Joseph von Daun. Frederick had planned an offensive from his encampment at Hochkirch, but an unexpected maneuver by the Austrians allowed them to encircle the Prussian forces at dawn.
Despite being caught off guard, the disciplined Prussian troops managed a fierce counterattack, leading to a bloody confrontation. The battle resulted in heavy casualties for the Prussians, with approximately 10,000 men lost and 100 cannons captured. However, Frederick's tactical response allowed him to preserve the majority of his forces, thereby avoiding a complete rout. The outcome of the battle marked the end of the 1758 campaign season and provided Frederick the opportunity to regroup and rebuild his army for future engagements. The events at Hochkirch underscore the complexities of wartime strategy and the shifting dynamics between major European powers during this period.
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Battle of Hochkirch
Type of action: Ground battle in Seven Years’ War
Date: October 14, 1758
Location: Village in Saxony (forty miles east of Dresden)
Combatants: 30,000 Prussians vs. 78,000 Austrians
Principal commanders:Prussian, King Frederick the Great (1712–1786); Austrian, Marshal Leopold Joseph von Daun (1705–1766)
Result: Frederick escapes destruction by the larger Austrian army
During the 1758 campaign of the Seven Years’ War, Prussian forces advanced deep into central Europe to consolidate their hold on the provinces of Silesia and Saxony. Frederick the Great learned that a large Austrian force under Marshal Leopold Joseph von Daun was threatening the Prussian army under Prince Henry and advanced to counter the movement. Frederick encamped his army at Hochkirch on October 13, intending to attack Daun the next day.
During the night, an uncharacteristic combination of Austrian daring and Prussian laxness allowed Daun to encircle Frederick’s army and attack at dawn. The disciplined Prussian forces rallied to Frederick’s hastily improvised response and broke through the Austrian lines. Frederick fought a stubborn, bloody retreat, suffering 10,000 casualties and losing 100 cannons but preserving his army.
Significance
By escaping with the bulk of his army against great odds, Frederick avoided defeat and retained the provinces of Silesia and Saxony. Hochkirch ended the 1758 campaigning season and allowed Frederick to rebuild his strength.
Bibliography
Cowley, Robert, and Geoffrey Parker, eds. Reader’s Companion to Military History. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1996.
Duffy, Christopher. The Military Experience in the Age of Reason. New York: Atheneum, 1988.
‗‗‗‗‗‗‗. The Military Life of Frederick the Great. New York: Atheneum, 1986.
Parker, Geoffrey, ed. Cambridge Illustrated History of Warfare. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 1995.
Ritter, G. Frederick the Great: A Historical Profile. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1968.