The battle of Kunersdorf. The results of the Seven years ' war

The Battle of Kunersdorf was one of the major battles of the Seven years war. Despite the fact that it was decisive, results of triumph for a number of reasons the winner was not able to use. Thus, the results of the Seven years ' war was determined not Kunersdorf battle, and a number of other factors. However, this fact does not diminish the importance of this battle in the history of the military art.

The causes of the Seven years ' war

The Main cause of the Seven years war was the growing conflict between the major European powers: Prussia and Britain on one side and the Holy Roman Empire of the Habsburgs, France, Spain and the Russian Empire – with the other. The conflict was joined by a number of smaller States. The subject of contention was the land in overseas colonies, and the territorial dispute between the Prussian Hohenzollerns and the Austrian Habsburgs over Silesia.

Most of the great European States was dissatisfied with the rise of Prussia that violated the existing system of geopolitical relations. At the same time between the British crown and France were incessant disputes over overseas colonies, turning into local wars. This prompted the British Alliance with the Prussians against whom spoke French. Russian Empress Elizabeth also did not like the fact how strong Frederick II-king of Prussia.

The Beginning of the war

First started fighting Prussian troops. On their part it was a kind of preemptive strike. Frederick II-king of Prussia - did not want to wait for his numerous enemies will gather all the forces and perform in a time convenient for them.

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In August, 1756, Prussian troops invaded the territory of churchesthe Saxony, which was the ally of the Austrian Habsburgs. They quickly occupied this Principality. Immediately after that the Russian and Holy Roman Empire declared war on Prussia.

During 1757 the battles between the Hapsburg and Prussian troops went on with varying success. At the same time to active hostilities, joined Sweden and Russia, commander of the army which was field-Marshal Stepan Fedorovich Apraksin. Quite effective the actions of Russian troops ended in a brilliant victory at the Grosse Egersdorf.

In 1758 the command of the Russian army was entrusted to General Fermor. Initially, under his leadership, the troops were quite successful. But in August took place Corndors a battle that did not win any of the parties, but was worth great sacrifice.

Military action Kunersdorfer on the eve of the battle

In the Spring of 1759, commander of the Russian troops was appointed General-in-chief Petr Semenovich Saltykov. He was considered a reliable and experienced commander, but until then, no outstanding his record was.

Under his leadership, the Russian army moved westward towards the Oder river, intending to unite with Austrian troops. During this transition, on June 23, 1759, when Pelzige was defeated Prussian corps, consisting of 28,000 men. So well P. S. Saltykov started his military company. Soon the Russian and Austrian armies joined in Frankfurt on the Oder.

At the same time, Frederick II moved towards the United troops, wanting to be defeated in the key battle and thus secure a decisive advantage in the course of the war.

On August 12 the army of opponents met to try to decide the fate of the war in the battle known as the Battle of Kunersdorf. The year 1759 was marked by this great battle.

The forces of the parties

The site of the battle, which would later become known as Kunersdorf the battle, the Prussian king Frederick II led an army of 48000 men. The majority of these were experienced veterans, past Prussian military school, and took part not in a single battle. In addition, the Prussian army had 200 pieces of artillery.

Part of the Russian troops, there were forty-one thousand soldiers. In addition, P. S. Saltykov had cavalry, consisting of 5200 Kalmyk horsemen. Austrian troops under the leadership of Ernst Gideon von Lauden consisted of 18,500 soldiers and riders. The Union army had in the total number of 248 artillery guns.

Location troops before the battle

The Prussian army settled down the standard way. The main forces were in the center, the sides were the cavalry, and a little forward was nominated by a small avant-garde.

The Russo-Austrian troops situated on three hills. Thus they tried to gain an advantage over the enemy. Hills were easy to defend their positions, but to the enemy they represent a fairly significant obstacle.

It is the location of the allied forces had a significant impact on how the battle took place near Kunersdorf. General Saltykov was with the main forces in the center. The left flank of the Russian army was commanded by Prince Aleksandr Mikhailovich Golitsyn. As it was the weakest link of the Union troops manned a significant number of recruits, Frederick II assumed it was for him to deliver the main blowhis army.

The battle

The Battle of Kunersdorf began at nine o'clock in the morning, when the Prussian artillery opened fire on the allied army. The direction of fire was concentrated toward the left flank of the Russian troops, commanded by Prince Golitsyn. At 10 a.m., was opened return fire of the Russian artillery. However, its effectiveness was much less than the Prussian. After another hour the enemy struck the weakest infantry in the left wing of the Russian troops. Before the superior numbers of the Prussians division, under the command of Prince Golitsyn, had to retreat.

In the ensuing battle the troops of Frederick II managed to capture almost all of the Russian artillery. The Prussian king was triumphant in the victory and even sent a messenger to the capital with this news.

But the allied forces did not even think to cease resistance. Petr Semenovich Saltykov ordered to shift additional forces to the height of Spitzberg, which at that time was the most fierce fighting. To put the squeeze on allied troops, Frederick II decided to use the cavalry. But because of holmesdale area, its effectiveness was significantly reduced. The allied forces were able to throw a Prussian attack and to throw the army of Frederick Spitzberg.

This failure was fatal to the army of Prussia. Many of its commanders were killed, and the Frederick narrowly escaped death. To remedy the situation, he hooked up his last reserve-the cuirassiers. But they were swept away by the Kalmyk cavalry.

Then it began all-out allied offensive. The Prussian army rushed to escape, but the crowd at the crossing has exacerbated the situation. Frederick II still did not know such a crushing defeat. From 48000 soldiers of the king could withdraw from the battle, only three thousand combat-ready soldiers. So ended the battle near Kunersdorf.

The loss of the parties

During the battle were killed 6271 man of the Prussian army. 1356 soldiers were missing, although, most likely, the majority of them found death. The prisoner was 4599. In addition, 2055 soldier deserted. But the most significant share among the Prussian losses were wounded – 11342 people. Naturally, they could not be considered a full-fledged combat units. The total number of losses of the Prussian army amounted to 25623.

In the Union army losses were not less. So, it was killed 7060 people, of which 1446 5614 Russians and Austrians. Missing 1150 soldiers, of which 703 Russian. The number of injured total number exceeded 15300 people. In addition, the beginning of the battle, Prussian troops had captured five thousand soldiers of the Union army. Total losses amounted 28512 people.

After the battle

Thus, the Prussian army suffered a severe defeat, which marked the battle near Kunersdorf. 1759 could be a time of complete destruction of the Kingdom of Prussia. Frederick II was only three thousand combat-ready soldiers, who would not be able to provide decent resistance to the allied army, numbering tens of thousands of people. The path to Berlin for Russian troops was opened. Even Frederick at that time was confident that his state will soon come to an end. This year could be summed up in the Seven years war. However, then she would have never called.

The Miracle of the house Brandenburg

However, despite these bright prospects for the army of the allies, the battle of Kunersdorf was unable to make a decisive breakthrough in the war. This was due to the presence of a number of contradictions between the leadership of Russian and Austrian troops. At a time when it was necessary to organize a lightning March to Berlin, they took their armies unable to reach agreement on further joint actions. Moreover, the Russians, the Austrians blamed the other party that is in violation of the agreements.

Such confusion of the Union army inspired Friedrich, has lost all hope for a prosperous for his country outcome. Just a few days he was again able to gain tridtsatitrehletny army. Now everyone was convinced that the allied forces can not without a violent struggle to enter into Berlin. Moreover, there were serious doubts that the Prussian capital in General will take.

In fact, because of the inconsistency of actions of command of the Union troops lost the huge advantage, which is received after Kunersdorf battle. It is a fortunate coincidence, Frederick II, dubbed the “Miracle of the house Brandenburg”.

Future fighting

Although the full catastrophe Prussia managed to avoid further hostilities in 1759, was not in her favor. The troops of Frederick II suffered one defeat after another. Prussia and England were forced to sue for peace, but Russia and Austria, hoping to kill the opponent, the agreement did not go.

Meanwhile, the British Navy managed to inflict a major defeat on the French in Kieronska Bay, and Frederick II in 1760, defeated the Austrians at Torgau. However, this triumph cost him dearly.

Then the fighting went on with varying success. But in 1761 the Austrian and Russian armies were again inflicted a series of crushing defeats of the Prussian state, which few people believed that it will recover.

And again FriedrichII saved by a miracle. The Russian Empire has signed peace with him. Moreover, it entered the war on the side of the recent enemy. This is explained by the fact that Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, which is always in Prussia saw the threat, was replaced on the throne a German by birth, Peter III, literally idolized Frederick II. This led to the fact, that the Prussian crown was once again saved.

The End of the Seven years ' war

After that, it became clear that in the near future any of the parties of the conflict, the final victory will not be achieved. However, the loss of all the armies became immense, and the resources of the warring countries were exhausted. Therefore, the States participating in the war, began trying to reach an agreement.

In 1762, France and Prussia agreed on peace. And next year the war was over.

General results of the Seven years ' war

The General results of the Seven years war, can be described by the following theses:

1. Complete victory has not reached any side of the conflict, although greater success has been achieved coalition of Britain and Prussia.

2. Seven years ' war was one of the bloodiest conflicts of the eighteenth century.

3. The battle near Kunersdorf and other successful actions of the Russian army was offset by inconsistency of the positions with the Austrians and the separate world of Peter III and Frederick II.

4. The UK managed to capture a significant part of the French colonies.

5. Prussia finally departed Silesia, which was claimed by the Austrian Habsburgs.

The consequences of the Seven years ' war

Even after the conclusion of peace, the contradictions among groups of countries has not been resolved, but only further escalated. But the huge human losses and economic exhaustion of the warring parties as a result of the Seven years ' war, making it impossible to resume large-scale military conflict between the coalitions of European countries until the end of the XVIII century, the start of the French revolutionary and Napoleonic wars. However, local conflicts in Europe often had even in this period. But the main war aim of the colonial division of the world was yet to come.