1. To view animation on PC: hit F5
Leuthen December 5, 1757
Strategic Context
The Seven Years’ War begins in Europe with a Prussian seizure of Saxony in Backed only by Britain, Frederick the Great’s Prussia finds itself surrounded and operating on interior lines against virtually all other European powers for survival, a coalition of France, Austria, Russia, Spain, Sweden, and Bavaria. Frederick returns from his decisive victory at Rossbach to discover Breslau’s surrender, which means Charles of Lorraine’s Austrian army occupies all of Prussian Silesia. Frederick unexpectedly marches his army against the Austrians rather than settle into winter quarters, while Charles wins a heated debate in the Austrian camp and therefore marches out to meet the Prussians.
To view animation on PC: hit F5
To view animation on Mac: hit ⌘ + enter
Stakes
+ A Prussian victory would reestablish control over Silesia and allow Frederick to concentrate his forces against another threat to Prussia’s borders.
+ An Austrian victory would tighten the noose around Prussia and begin to deplete its pool of manpower and resources.
By Jonathan Webb, 2009

2. Leuthen, 1757 Strength Prussian Army Well Austrian Army Well
Frederick the Great
Charles of Lorraine
24,000 infantry
50,000 infantry
12,000 cavalry
15,000 cavalry
167 guns
210 guns
By Jonathan Webb, 2009

3. Europe c. 1756

4. The battlefield consists of a snowy plain enclosed to the east by the Schweidnitz River (off-map) and the north by marshland. The western part of the battlefield is more open but features many low hills while the central and eastern parts of the battlefield feature many small villages, making line of sight complicated. The ground gradually declines to the east.
Austrian Army
(Charles)
Nypern
Heyde
Borne
Frobelwitz
Leuthen
Radaxdorff
Lobelnitz
Sagschutz
Gohlau
Prussian Army
(Frederick)
Striegwitz

5. Prussian Army Austrian Army
Charles deploys his army in two long lines, centered on the town of Leuthen with his right wing protected by marshland. Cavalry units are placed on his flanks just behind the line and artillery in front of the line. Frederick deploys his army in a standard formation with infantry in the center and cavalry on its flanks, his artillery absent as it is still being drawn up.
Frederick withdraws his cavalry and marches the rest of his army in perfect parade formation parallel to the Austrian line behind a hill, hidden from Austrian view. Charles sends no scouts because he still anticipates an attack on his right. When no attack comes he assumes that the Prussians had intended to attack but realized the magnitude of the Austrian force and hastily withdrew.
The Prussians suddenly reappear on the Austrian left and begin to roll up the Austrian line. A determined attack by an Austrian cavalry unit halts the Prussians for a moment before being swept away by Wedel’s infantry and cavalry. Nadasdy desperately requests reinforcements but by this time the Austrian reserves are all on the right.
Frederick makes a feint attack with some cavalry on the Austrian right and by chance intercepts a scouting patrol, sending it back to the line in a frenzy. Lucchessi believes himself to be the target of the main Prussian assault and requests aid. Charles, lacking effective reconnaissance, shifts his cavalry reserves to meet this apparent threat.
Prussian Army
(Frederick the Great)
24,000 infantry
12,000 cavalry
167 guns
Austrian Army
(Charles of Lorraine)
50,000 infantry
15,000 cavalry
210 guns
Austrian Army
(Charles)
Nypern
Lucchessi
Heyde
Borne
Frobelwitz
Charles
Driesen
Prussian Army Austrian Army
Infantry Infantry
Cavalry Cavalry
Artillery Artillery
Leuthen
Radaxdorff
Nadasdy
Lobelnitz
Sagschutz
Gohlau
Symbol guide
Retzow
Wedel
Prussian Army
(Frederick)
Striegwitz
Landmarks

6. Prussian Army Austrian Army
Charles turns his army to face the Prussians but by this time Frederick has drawn up the artillery and, with a fierce attack by Wedel, forced another portion of the Austrian line to retreat. Charles’ army is in complete disarray so he packs as much infantry as he can into Leuthen to gain time to recall his cavalry and form a new line north of the town.
The Prussians advance, neutralizing the remaining Austrian artillery in the area and bringing up their own. Unfortunately for the Austrians, the volume of infantry compacted into Leuthen make easy targets for the Prussian artillery. After vicious house-to-house fighting, the Prussians expel the Austrians from the town but Charles gains the time he needs to recreate his line.
The Prussians suddenly reappear on the Austrian left and begin to roll up the Austrian line. A determined attack by an Austrian cavalry unit halts the Prussians for a moment before being swept away by Wedel’s infantry and cavalry. Nadasdy desperately requests reinforcements but by this time the Austrian reserves are all on the right.
Prussian Army
(Frederick the Great)
24,000 infantry
12,000 cavalry
167 guns
Austrian Army
(Charles of Lorraine)
50,000 infantry
15,000 cavalry
210 guns
Charles
Austrian Army
(Charles)
Nypern
Lucchessi
Lucchessi
Heyde
Borne
Frobelwitz
Charles
Charles
Driesen
Prussian Army Austrian Army
Infantry Infantry
Cavalry Cavalry
Artillery Artillery
Leuthen
Nadasdy
Radaxdorff
Nadasdy
Lobelnitz
Sagschutz
Gohlau
Retzow
Wedel
Symbol guide
Retzow
Wedel
Prussian Army
(Frederick)
Striegwitz
Landmarks

7. Prussian Army Austrian Army
Frederick pins the Austrian front with Retzow’s infantry and attacks its right flank and rear with Driesen’s cavalry. Charles sees his right flank is hopeless and orders a general retreat, giving the field to Frederick.
The Prussians advance, neutralizing the remaining Austrian artillery in the area and bringing up their own. Unfortunately for the Austrians, the volume of infantry compacted into Leuthen make easy targets for the Prussian artillery. After vicious house-to-house fighting, the Prussians expel the Austrians from the town but Charles gains the time he needs to recreate his line.
Charles orders Lucchessi to launch a counterstroke against Retzow’s seemingly exposed left flank with a large cavalry force. Frederick commits his final reserve: cavalry under Driesen, which so far have refused battle. Driesen attacks the rear of the unsuspecting Austrian cavalry, killing Lucchessi and scattering the entire force.
Charles attempts to pin down and then surround the Prussian units in Leuthen but Frederick orders his artillery to set up on a small ridge. This artillery lays down a murderous barrage and forces another Austrian withdrawal while Charles has at last readied his right wing cavalry for an attack.
Prussian Army
(Frederick the Great)
24,000 infantry
12,000 cavalry
167 guns
Austrian Army
(Charles of Lorraine)
50,000 infantry
15,000 cavalry
210 guns
Charles
Austrian Army
(Charles)
Nypern
Lucchessi
Heyde
Borne
Frobelwitz
Driesen
Prussian Army Austrian Army
Infantry Infantry
Cavalry Cavalry
Artillery Artillery
Leuthen
Radaxdorff
Retzow
Lobelnitz
Sagschutz
Gohlau
Retzow
Wedel
Symbol guide
Prussian Army
(Frederick)
Striegwitz
Landmarks

8. Leuthen, 1757 Casualties & Aftermath
Prussian Army:
Austrian Army:
6,500 or
18%
22,000 or
34%
The Austrians never seriously threatened Prussian Silesia again; their disastrous defeat at Leuthen opened Austria up to Prussian invasion although it did not succeed. Nonetheless, Frederick’s triumph at Leuthen helped him survive the first few years of the war against many superior foes. By 1761, virtually all armies were exhausted as Frederick’s enemies slowly wore Prussia down. In 1762, a miracle occurs: the Russian Empress dies and is succeeded by the more sympathetic Peter II, who makes peace with Prussia and recalls Russian armies. In 1763, the Seven Years’ War ended in Europe with no significant changes in borders.
By Jonathan Webb, 2009

9. The Art of Battle: Animated Battle Maps
By Jonathan Webb, 2009