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| Hesse-Kassel 'Musketeer', 1866 |
Battles of the Austro-Prussian War, 1866
Following are brief summaries of the more interesting engagements of
the Austro-Prussian Wars. Larger articles, when completed, can be found
linked from each of these descriptions.
Holstein (7th June, 1866)
Prussian troops invade Holstein, an Austrian protectorate at the time.
Baron Gablenz, one of Austria's best officers, exacts a brilliant withdrawal
with his men, and is able to assist the war effort at home within the week.
Dresden (18th June, 1866)
Prussian forces seize the Saxon capital after a brief skirmish with the
garrison, while the bulk of the Saxon Army intentionally withdraws from
Saxony to avoid being surrounded and destroyed by the Prussian forces.
The Saxon mountain fortress of Konigstein retains its garrison and
weathers a Prussian siege for the rest of the war.
Kassel (19th June, 1866)
Prussian forces invade Hesse-Kassel and Hesse-Darmstadt. Hessian
troops fight a delaying action, with about 7,000 troops from Kassel
escaping into southern Germany to link with the Federal Army. The bulk of
the survivors spend the rest of the war garrisoning the fortresses of
Frankfurt and Mainz, where they are besieged for the rest of the war. Most
of Hesse-Darmstadt's forces have already been withdrawn.
Custoza (23rd June, 1866)
Duke Albert of Austria smashes two Italian Armies and effectively destroys
the ability of the Italians to wage organized offensive war on land against
the Austrians. Ironically, the Italians later manage to acquire Venice,
without particularly earning any distinction on the battlefield.
Freiwaldau (25th June, 1866)
Austrian and Prussian cavalry skirmish in Moravia, with the Austrians
gaining the upper hand, as they will in every clash of this nature
throughout the war.
Podol (26th June, 1866)
Austrian forces under Clam Gallas fight a delaying action to prevent
Prussian Army of the Elbe from crossing the Iser. Austrian mass assault
columns disintegrate in close quarters fighting against Prussian needle
guns. Prussia's first significant tactical victory of the war.
Langensalza (27th June, 1866)
Hanoverian troops are attacked by a combined force of troops from
Prussia, Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Lubeck, Oldenberg, and Bremen under
General von Flies. In the last battle in the long history of the Hanoverian
army, the Hanoverians defeat the combined force, and in a touch of stylish
anachronism break several squares with cuirassiers. The Hanoverians
eventually capitulate off the battlefield, unable to link up with their Bavarian
allies, despite the victory.
Trautenau (27th June, 1866)
In a brilliant but bloody action, Baron Gablenz and X Corps throw the
Prussians back into Silesia, despite being outnumbered significantly for
most of the battle. Austria's most significant victory against the Prussians.
Nachod (27th June, 1866)
Not far from Trautenau, the equally capable von Steinmetz with five
Prussian battalions resists the advance of an entire Austrian Corps for
three hours before forcing an Austrian withdrawal. The Prussians,
however, are too battered to pursue, and the town and critical mountain
pass at Nachod remain in Austrian hands.
Munchengratz (28th June, 1866)
Frederick Charles makes an unauthorized attack against a strong
Austrian position at Munchengratz. A slowly developing kesselschlacht
(envelopment) maneuver, however, allows the bulk of the Austrian forces
at Munchengratz to retreat unmolested to Gitschin, and the Prussians are
delayed by a tough Austrian rearguard and the convenient presence of
one of Bohemia's largest breweries. The Prussian forces under Frederick
briefly forget their discipline in what one observer describes as "an orgy of
sausage and beer".
Burkersdorf (28th June, 1866)
Gablenz nearly succeeds in outflanking the Prussian Guard Corps and
2nd Army, who are themselves attempting to outflank him. Cut off from the
main body of the Austrian forces, Gablenz overextends himself and is
eventually induced to withdraw.
Nachod (28th June, 1866)
Archduke Leopold and VII Corps reinforce the position at Nachod and
attempt to halt Prussian V Corps. Despite fine soldiering by both sides,
the Austrian generalship is abysmal, as Leopold steadfastly refuses to
issue orders for the duration of the engagement, which quickly develops
into a rout before superior Prussian leadership and the exceptional skill of
Prussian marksmen.
Gitschin (29th June, 1866)
Prince Frederick Charles attacks the Austro-Saxon forces at Gitschin, part
of a greater plan to encircle Austrian troops on the Elbe. The performance
of the Saxon troops and artillery is absolutely superior, as is that of the
Austrian artillery; the Austrian infantry, however, is given contradictory
orders, and sudden collapse in the center begins a breakdown. Another
Prussian victory, won at great cost. The prevention of a total rout is
achieved by the sacrificial rearguard actions of the Saxons, against whom
the Prussians can make little headway.
Koniggratz (3rd July, 1866)
Austrian forces and Prussian forces wage what is arguably the most
important post-Napoleonic European battle of the 19th century. It is also
history's third largest land battle, involving 10 Austrian and 1 Saxon Corps
opposed by 3 Prussian Armies which were almost as large. The battle
was waged for most of the day, astride the river Bistrice, and despite
abysmal choices of terrain by Austria's Benedek, the battle initially goes
quite well for the Austrians and their Saxon allies. In fact, progress is only
made against one small section of the line, by Prussia's Fransecky, and it
is this initial gain that Prussia eventually exploits to bring about victory in
the face of Benedek's waffling, indecisive performance. Prussia's victory is
decisive, if bloody, and will force a re-evaluation of the war in Austria with
the eventual removal of Benedek as C-in-C.
Weisenthal (3rd July, 1866)
Prussian and Bavarian forces meet in an inconclusive engagement, with
both sides believing they've been beaten and ordering a general
withdrawal. The Bavarians, however, withdraw deep into Bavarian territory,
while the Prussians are granted an unexpected breather, and are able to
recover.
Bad Kissingen (10th July, 1866)
In one of the war in Germany's most epic battles, a determined Bavarian
Army manages to drive the Prussian Army of the West from the field twice,
threatening to crack the center and destroy the Prussian force until a
sudden shortage of ammunition panics the Bavarian center instead,
forcing another withdrawal.
Laufach (13th July, 1866)
Fierce hand to hand fighting ensues between the Hesse-Darmstadt
Division of VII Federal Corps and the Prussian Army of the West. The
Hesse-Darmstadt Division is forced to withdraw by weight of numbers
and retreats to the fortress town of Aschaffenburg, where it is reinforced by
4th Division of the VII Austrian Corps and forces from Hesse-Kassel.
Aschaffenburg (14th July, 1866)
Goeben's Division of the Army of the West attacks the reinforced
Hessians, and wins despite being significantly outnumbered against an
enemy in excellent positions. Bizarrely, the Austrians (who are
predominantly conscripts from Venice), throw down their arms, and the
Hessians unexpectedly march from the field at the point that victory lays
within their grasp.
Tobitschau and Rokeinitz (15th July, 1866)
Prussian forces under von Bonin attack Austrian troops under Benedek in
a move toward the Danube. They smash Benedek's position and nearly
capture Benedek himself.
Beccecca (19th July, 1866)
An army of expatriots and Italians under Garibaldi numbering about
10,000 men attempts to smash an Austrian force of 4,000. They are
soundly defeated, effectively ending offensive operations against Austria
in Italy.
Lissa (20th July, 1866)
The largest fleet action since Trafalgar, and the first major naval battle to
witness the use of ironclad fleets, occurs when the Italians attempt to
destroy Austrian naval forces near the island of Lissa in preparation for an
amphibious landing. They are soundly defeated in a bizarre engagement
which features Napoleonic style tactics mixed with ramming and boarding
actions better suited for Actium than 1866.
Pressburg (22nd July, 1866)
Austrian, Saxon, and Prussian forces collide in Hungary. The battle
reaches a fever pitch and then is unexpectedly stopped by news of the
Austro-Prussian Armistice. The war between Austria and Prussia will
formally end on 30th August.
Werbach (24th July , 1866)
Baden's forces put up a disgraceful performance against the
Oldenburg-Hanseatic brigade, needlessly sacrificing the critical western
flank of the Federal Army.
Tauberbischofsheim (24th July, 1866)
Goeben's Division assaults a position held by the Wurttemburgers, who
are within grasp of a badly needed victory when news arrives of the
Badense debacle at Werbach. They withdraw quickly to reinforce the
critical flank, and the position falls to the Prussians.
Helmstadt (25th July, 1866)
Bavaria's troops again prove their excellent fighting prowess and utterly
incompetent senior leadership, inexplicably shifting their positions at a
critical moment and allowing von Beyer's division to roll up their line.
Gerscheim (25th July, 1866)
The rest of the Federal Army is deployed not far from the Bavarians along
a ridgeline. In a bad state of morale from continual defeat and a general
distrust of their officers, the Federal troops put up on token resistance
against an attack by the once again significantly outnumbered Prussian
troops under Goeben. Only the Nassau Brigade makes any serious
attempt at resistance.
Of the campaign in Germany, certainly the most misunderstood portion of
the war, Richard Clarke has said, "The individual bravery of the common
soldier, which was exemplary, had in no way compensated for the
incompetence of the Commander in Chief <Prince Karl of Bavaria>. At
virtually every point, Prince Karl had squandered all advantages and
delivered victory to the Prussians where none should have been."
the Austro-Prussian Wars. Larger articles, when completed, can be found
linked from each of these descriptions.
Holstein (7th June, 1866)
Prussian troops invade Holstein, an Austrian protectorate at the time.
Baron Gablenz, one of Austria's best officers, exacts a brilliant withdrawal
with his men, and is able to assist the war effort at home within the week.
Dresden (18th June, 1866)
Prussian forces seize the Saxon capital after a brief skirmish with the
garrison, while the bulk of the Saxon Army intentionally withdraws from
Saxony to avoid being surrounded and destroyed by the Prussian forces.
The Saxon mountain fortress of Konigstein retains its garrison and
weathers a Prussian siege for the rest of the war.
Kassel (19th June, 1866)
Prussian forces invade Hesse-Kassel and Hesse-Darmstadt. Hessian
troops fight a delaying action, with about 7,000 troops from Kassel
escaping into southern Germany to link with the Federal Army. The bulk of
the survivors spend the rest of the war garrisoning the fortresses of
Frankfurt and Mainz, where they are besieged for the rest of the war. Most
of Hesse-Darmstadt's forces have already been withdrawn.
Custoza (23rd June, 1866)
Duke Albert of Austria smashes two Italian Armies and effectively destroys
the ability of the Italians to wage organized offensive war on land against
the Austrians. Ironically, the Italians later manage to acquire Venice,
without particularly earning any distinction on the battlefield.
Freiwaldau (25th June, 1866)
Austrian and Prussian cavalry skirmish in Moravia, with the Austrians
gaining the upper hand, as they will in every clash of this nature
throughout the war.
Podol (26th June, 1866)
Austrian forces under Clam Gallas fight a delaying action to prevent
Prussian Army of the Elbe from crossing the Iser. Austrian mass assault
columns disintegrate in close quarters fighting against Prussian needle
guns. Prussia's first significant tactical victory of the war.
Langensalza (27th June, 1866)
Hanoverian troops are attacked by a combined force of troops from
Prussia, Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Lubeck, Oldenberg, and Bremen under
General von Flies. In the last battle in the long history of the Hanoverian
army, the Hanoverians defeat the combined force, and in a touch of stylish
anachronism break several squares with cuirassiers. The Hanoverians
eventually capitulate off the battlefield, unable to link up with their Bavarian
allies, despite the victory.
Trautenau (27th June, 1866)
In a brilliant but bloody action, Baron Gablenz and X Corps throw the
Prussians back into Silesia, despite being outnumbered significantly for
most of the battle. Austria's most significant victory against the Prussians.
Nachod (27th June, 1866)
Not far from Trautenau, the equally capable von Steinmetz with five
Prussian battalions resists the advance of an entire Austrian Corps for
three hours before forcing an Austrian withdrawal. The Prussians,
however, are too battered to pursue, and the town and critical mountain
pass at Nachod remain in Austrian hands.
Munchengratz (28th June, 1866)
Frederick Charles makes an unauthorized attack against a strong
Austrian position at Munchengratz. A slowly developing kesselschlacht
(envelopment) maneuver, however, allows the bulk of the Austrian forces
at Munchengratz to retreat unmolested to Gitschin, and the Prussians are
delayed by a tough Austrian rearguard and the convenient presence of
one of Bohemia's largest breweries. The Prussian forces under Frederick
briefly forget their discipline in what one observer describes as "an orgy of
sausage and beer".
Burkersdorf (28th June, 1866)
Gablenz nearly succeeds in outflanking the Prussian Guard Corps and
2nd Army, who are themselves attempting to outflank him. Cut off from the
main body of the Austrian forces, Gablenz overextends himself and is
eventually induced to withdraw.
Nachod (28th June, 1866)
Archduke Leopold and VII Corps reinforce the position at Nachod and
attempt to halt Prussian V Corps. Despite fine soldiering by both sides,
the Austrian generalship is abysmal, as Leopold steadfastly refuses to
issue orders for the duration of the engagement, which quickly develops
into a rout before superior Prussian leadership and the exceptional skill of
Prussian marksmen.
Gitschin (29th June, 1866)
Prince Frederick Charles attacks the Austro-Saxon forces at Gitschin, part
of a greater plan to encircle Austrian troops on the Elbe. The performance
of the Saxon troops and artillery is absolutely superior, as is that of the
Austrian artillery; the Austrian infantry, however, is given contradictory
orders, and sudden collapse in the center begins a breakdown. Another
Prussian victory, won at great cost. The prevention of a total rout is
achieved by the sacrificial rearguard actions of the Saxons, against whom
the Prussians can make little headway.
Koniggratz (3rd July, 1866)
Austrian forces and Prussian forces wage what is arguably the most
important post-Napoleonic European battle of the 19th century. It is also
history's third largest land battle, involving 10 Austrian and 1 Saxon Corps
opposed by 3 Prussian Armies which were almost as large. The battle
was waged for most of the day, astride the river Bistrice, and despite
abysmal choices of terrain by Austria's Benedek, the battle initially goes
quite well for the Austrians and their Saxon allies. In fact, progress is only
made against one small section of the line, by Prussia's Fransecky, and it
is this initial gain that Prussia eventually exploits to bring about victory in
the face of Benedek's waffling, indecisive performance. Prussia's victory is
decisive, if bloody, and will force a re-evaluation of the war in Austria with
the eventual removal of Benedek as C-in-C.
Weisenthal (3rd July, 1866)
Prussian and Bavarian forces meet in an inconclusive engagement, with
both sides believing they've been beaten and ordering a general
withdrawal. The Bavarians, however, withdraw deep into Bavarian territory,
while the Prussians are granted an unexpected breather, and are able to
recover.
Bad Kissingen (10th July, 1866)
In one of the war in Germany's most epic battles, a determined Bavarian
Army manages to drive the Prussian Army of the West from the field twice,
threatening to crack the center and destroy the Prussian force until a
sudden shortage of ammunition panics the Bavarian center instead,
forcing another withdrawal.
Laufach (13th July, 1866)
Fierce hand to hand fighting ensues between the Hesse-Darmstadt
Division of VII Federal Corps and the Prussian Army of the West. The
Hesse-Darmstadt Division is forced to withdraw by weight of numbers
and retreats to the fortress town of Aschaffenburg, where it is reinforced by
4th Division of the VII Austrian Corps and forces from Hesse-Kassel.
Aschaffenburg (14th July, 1866)
Goeben's Division of the Army of the West attacks the reinforced
Hessians, and wins despite being significantly outnumbered against an
enemy in excellent positions. Bizarrely, the Austrians (who are
predominantly conscripts from Venice), throw down their arms, and the
Hessians unexpectedly march from the field at the point that victory lays
within their grasp.
Tobitschau and Rokeinitz (15th July, 1866)
Prussian forces under von Bonin attack Austrian troops under Benedek in
a move toward the Danube. They smash Benedek's position and nearly
capture Benedek himself.
Beccecca (19th July, 1866)
An army of expatriots and Italians under Garibaldi numbering about
10,000 men attempts to smash an Austrian force of 4,000. They are
soundly defeated, effectively ending offensive operations against Austria
in Italy.
Lissa (20th July, 1866)
The largest fleet action since Trafalgar, and the first major naval battle to
witness the use of ironclad fleets, occurs when the Italians attempt to
destroy Austrian naval forces near the island of Lissa in preparation for an
amphibious landing. They are soundly defeated in a bizarre engagement
which features Napoleonic style tactics mixed with ramming and boarding
actions better suited for Actium than 1866.
Pressburg (22nd July, 1866)
Austrian, Saxon, and Prussian forces collide in Hungary. The battle
reaches a fever pitch and then is unexpectedly stopped by news of the
Austro-Prussian Armistice. The war between Austria and Prussia will
formally end on 30th August.
Werbach (24th July , 1866)
Baden's forces put up a disgraceful performance against the
Oldenburg-Hanseatic brigade, needlessly sacrificing the critical western
flank of the Federal Army.
Tauberbischofsheim (24th July, 1866)
Goeben's Division assaults a position held by the Wurttemburgers, who
are within grasp of a badly needed victory when news arrives of the
Badense debacle at Werbach. They withdraw quickly to reinforce the
critical flank, and the position falls to the Prussians.
Helmstadt (25th July, 1866)
Bavaria's troops again prove their excellent fighting prowess and utterly
incompetent senior leadership, inexplicably shifting their positions at a
critical moment and allowing von Beyer's division to roll up their line.
Gerscheim (25th July, 1866)
The rest of the Federal Army is deployed not far from the Bavarians along
a ridgeline. In a bad state of morale from continual defeat and a general
distrust of their officers, the Federal troops put up on token resistance
against an attack by the once again significantly outnumbered Prussian
troops under Goeben. Only the Nassau Brigade makes any serious
attempt at resistance.
Of the campaign in Germany, certainly the most misunderstood portion of
the war, Richard Clarke has said, "The individual bravery of the common
soldier, which was exemplary, had in no way compensated for the
incompetence of the Commander in Chief <Prince Karl of Bavaria>. At
virtually every point, Prince Karl had squandered all advantages and
delivered victory to the Prussians where none should have been."
