Osprey Campaign 91 : Kolin 1757 : Frederick the Great's First Defeat

Concerned by the growing power of Prussia under King Frederick the Great, the Holy Roman Empire, France, Russia, Sweden and Saxony joined in a coalition to cripple or destroy Frederick's kingdom. Aware of his enemies plans however, Frederick struck first and by May of 1757 he had invaded Bohemia, smashed an Austrian army outside Prague and had it bottled up inside the besieged city. The pattern of the First and Second Silesian Wars - and unbroken string of Prussian victories -seemed to be repeating itself. The Empress Maria Theresa could not sit by and allow the second city of the Empire to be captured and Marshal Daun was despatched with 60,000 fresh troops to its relief. Characteristically aggressive, Frederick gathered all available men and marched to meet Daun whose infantry alone almost outnumbered Frederick. Undaunted, Frederick decided to try and turn the Austrian right flank. Marshal Daun saw through Frederick's manoeuvre and when the Prussian infantry attacked on 18 June the Austrians were waiting. Attacking uphill into heavy artillery and musket fire, the Prussians faced an impossible task and yet they continued to attack with determination. Then an Austrian counterattack pushed too far and the Prussian cavalry smashed into its right flank. The Prussian commander was killed but the attack was devastating and a hole appeared in the Austrian line. It appeared that Frederick may yet snatch a victory against all the odds. The Prussian King threw his last reserves into the attack. But the Austrian line held and with night falling Frederick had to accept defeat. Text by Simon Millar with illustrations by Adam Hook.

Contents

• Origins of the Campaign
• Chronology
• Opposing Commanders
• Opposing Armies
• Opposing Plans
• The Battle
• Aftermath
• Bibliography
• Index