Battle of Hohenfriedberg

By the time of this battle the king of Prussia possessed no less forces then the united Austro-Saxon army under command of Charles of Lotharingia, i.e. about 60,000 men. Frederick assumed the Austrian would try invading Silesia in early days of spring, and under these conditions he would make use of the border mountains and advantages given by them. Instead of blocking certain mountain passages he decided to leave them open and engage the enemy in Silesia. The king organized a close control of the mountains. The troops were located in the way enabling them to concentrate in the shortest period of time possible near the passage the united Austro-Saxon army would emerge from. Austrians, in turn, tried to take Prussians by surprise having arranged a night march. This attempt proved barely successful. And it was only at about 8 a.m. that they started offence. Frederick had already been in the know of their approach and marshaled his forces to take Austrians aback. That was a total success and by 9 a.m. the combat had virtually been over, enemy falling back through the mountains along the whole frontline. Having lost 4800 killed, Frederick imposed great losses on Austro-Saxons numbering 14-16 thousand killed and 80 guns lost. That victory brought Frederick a reputation of military leader. Hohenfriedberg won him the glitter of fame that was not to fade out through ages.