Mollwitz - April 10, 1741 Fought in the early stages of the War of Austrian Succession (1740-1748), Mollwitz was the first major victory of the Prussian Army under Frederick II ‘The Great’. Prussian troops occupied Silesia by December 16th, 1740, and went into winter quarters expecting no riposte from Maria Theresa’s Austria. Not surprisingly, the Austrian Queen sent an Army of 20,00 to retake the province commanded by Wilhelm Reinhard von Neipperg. The Austrian Army paused to break a siege of the small fortress of Neisse. A race for the town in hard winter weather won by Neipperg cut the Prussian Army off from its supply line, and an attack by Frederick was preordained. Frederick had exact intelligence of Austrian positions and the logical solution for the inexperienced monarch would have been to storm the Austrian camp and be done with them. Instead, the Prussian Monarch formed his troops in line, and mistakes made in this caused some units to be useless during the battle. The Prussian advance literally caught to Austrian Army waking or at breakfast facing away from the Prussians. Frantic efforts managed to form a line of battle - only just. By 1 PM the opponents faced each other. As the Prussian line advanced, 5-6000 Austrian cavalry shattered the Prussian right. Under advice, Frederick left the battlefield only to be nearly shot and taken prisoner. The situation was saved by the well drilled Prussian infantry finally catching its head and delivering crushing volleys into the Austrian Cavalry killing its commander, Romer, with a shot to the head. Fredrick’s subordinate commander Schwerin restored the situation. Austrian cavalry charged a second time and was driven back whereupon the Prussians were ordered to advance. Prussian infantry could fire an amazing five to six rounds a minute from their smooth bore muskets and the Austrian line broke and ran. Schwerin had won the battle for his king. Frederick swore never to leave the field again.He is quoted as saying, Mollwitz was my schoolAfterwards he is quoted as saying, The Prussian army always attacks.”Silesia stayed Prussian. (l-r) Molwitz is near Brzeg in Poland,)4th from left-Fredericks drawing go the battle.5th, the Prussian line charges, 6th, Austrian Infantry, 7th Maria Theresa of Austria,
Posted on: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 03:38:54 +0000
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