Frederick the Great has been described as the embodiment of "the utmost in military achievement that was possible in Europe in the conditions prevailing before the French revolution." [1] Of all of his battles, none shows Frederick's military abilities more than the Battle of Leuthen (December 5, 1757). His leadership before and throughout the battle show his capabilities as a military commander. The Battle of Leuthen can truly be considered to be Frederick's masterpiece.
The strategic situation prior to the Battle of Leuthen was one of mixed fortunes for Frederick. He had just recently won a great victory over the French at Rossbach (November 5, 1757) that had for the moment secured Prussia against a French incursion. However, he now had to turn to an equally menacing threat from Austria. The Austrian army under the command of Prince Charles of Lorraine and Field Marshal Daun had just recently invaded Silesia. On November 22, 1757, this force had defeated the Prussians under the Duke of Bevern and subsequently captured Breslau. Under the leadership of the cavalry commander General Ziethen, the defeated and demoralized Prussian army had marched south. It was able to meet up with Frederick's victorious army at Parchwitz on December 2, 1757. With the addition of these forces, Frederick's army now contained around 35,000 men consisting of "38 ½ battalions of infantry, 133 squadrons of cavalry, and 78 heavy guns, in addition to 98 battalion field pieces." [2] This force was all that Frederick had to face the Austrians in Silesia.
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