Battle of Hochkirch

The Battle of Hochkirch: A Turning Point in the Seven Years’ War

Imagine a battlefield where strategy and surprise collide, where an army of 80,000 Austrians led by Leopold Josef Graf Daun outmaneuvered Frederick the Great’s smaller Prussian force. The Battle of Hochkirch on October 14, 1758, was not just a clash of arms but a pivotal moment in the Seven Years’ War. Could this battle have been avoided? Or was it destined to happen?

The Context: A Global Conflict

The Seven Years’ War was more than just a European affair; it was a global conflict with far-reaching consequences. Austria, France, and Prussia were the main players, each vying for power and influence across Europe. Britain aligned itself with Prussia to counter French expansionism. The war was complex, with multiple fronts and shifting alliances. Could Frederick’s brilliance in battle be enough to overcome these challenges?

The Battle: A Surprise Attack

In September 1758, Lieutenant Field Marshal Count Leopold Joseph von Daun camped near Stolpen with an army of 80,000 men. Frederick the Great, leading a smaller Prussian force of around 45,000, rushed south to confront Daun in Saxony. The stage was set for a battle that would test both commanders’ strategies and resolve.

Frederick and Daun played a game of cat and mouse, with Frederick trying to draw out the Austrians into battle but Daun refusing to engage. Was Daun’s caution justified? Or did he underestimate Frederick’s determination?

The Surprise Attack

On October 10, Frederick marched on Hochkirch, establishing a camp that stretched from the town north to the edge of the forest. Despite warnings from his officers, Frederick ignored concerns about an Austrian threat and created an S-shaped line facing eastward. He did not believe any attack would occur; Daun’s army had been dormant in recent months, refusing to be drawn into battles.

Daun’s plan was an early morning sweep through the woods with 30,000 specially picked troops, around Frederick’s flank, to enclose him. Using the starless night and fog as cover, the Austrians fell on the Prussian battery when the church bell signaled 5:00. The Prussians were caught off guard; men tangled in tents bled to death, creating what is still called Blutgasse, or Blood Alley.

While Frederick’s adjutants were trying to wake him, his generals organized the Prussian resistance. The Prussians briefly retook the battery south of Hochkirch but could not hold it against Austrian muskets. At 6:00, three more Prussian regiments rushed Hochkirch itself, while Prince Maurice continued directing stragglers and reinforcements into the counterattack.

The Prussians swept through the village, out the other side, and fell on the battery at bayonet point. When the early morning fog had lifted, Prussian cavalry launched a series of counterattacks against the Austrians. A battalion of the 23rd Infantry charged but was surrounded and retreated. The church yard was defended by Major Siegmund Moritz William von Langen’s musketeers, who provided safety for retreating Prussians.

Frederick ordered his infantry to advance at 7:00, but Prince Francis of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel’s headless body demoralized his troops. The Austrians eventually took the village by 9:00. Led by the King, they advanced against Austrian forces and retreated northwards, establishing a fighting line that served as a rallying point for stragglers.

Frederick and his surviving army withdrew to the northwest, where Hans Joachim von Zieten and Friedrich Wilhelm von Seydlitz organized a rear guard action. The Prussians suffered 3 percent losses in battle with 2,300 casualties (injuries, desertions, capture) at 3.6 percent, three standards lost. Modern historians place overall losses higher at 7,300.

The Aftermath: A Shattered Equanimity

Hochkirch was considered one of Frederick’s worst losses; it badly shook his equanimity. Andrew Mitchell described Frederick as ‘an old man lacking half of his teeth’ with physical issues. However, Prussian discipline held up after the battle, neutralizing any strategic advantage the Austrians could have gained.

The Austrian failure to follow up on Frederick meant that the Prussians lived to fight another day. The costly Austrian victory did nothing but give Frederick the opportunity to rebuild his army over the winter. The only way he could hire men would be with British gold. Could this battle have been avoided? Or was it a necessary test of wills?

The Legacy: A Battle Remembered

A granite monument was erected by the inhabitants of Hochkirch in memory of ‘Generalfeldmarschall Jacob von Keith’ and his achievement. The inscription reads: ‘Suffering, Misery, Death.’ This battle marked a turning point; despite major losses, at the end of the campaign year, Frederick remained in possession of Saxony and Silesia, and his name remained feared in at least that part of Europe.

The Battle of Hochkirch is a testament to the complexities of war. It was a moment where strategy, surprise, and human will intersected, shaping the course of history. What lessons can we draw from this battle? And how do they apply to conflicts today?

Condensed Infos to Battle of Hochkirch

The Battle of Hochkirch stands as a reminder that even the most brilliant military minds can be outmaneuvered by unexpected circumstances. It was a battle where strategy and surprise collided, leaving an indelible mark on history. As we reflect on this pivotal moment, let us remember the lessons it teaches about preparation, adaptability, and the unpredictable nature of conflict.