Who Won the Battle of Prague?

By Alice Nichols

The Battle of Prague was fought on May 6, 1757, during the Seven Years’ War. This battle was fought between the Austrian Empire and Prussia and is considered one of the most significant battles in European history. The battle lasted for almost 11 hours, and over 80,000 soldiers participated in it.

Background

Before the Battle of Prague, Prussia had already won several victories over Austria, including the Battle of Lobositz. After this battle, Frederick II of Prussia marched towards Prague to take control of it. On May 6, 1757, he reached Prague and started attacking the city.

The Battle

The Austrian army was led by Prince Charles Alexander of Lorraine. He had around 66,000 soldiers under his command. On the other hand, King Frederick II had around 44,000 soldiers under his command.

The battle started at around 10 am when the Austrian army launched a counter-attack against Prussian forces. The battle was fought fiercely for almost eleven hours.

Prussian Tactics

King Frederick II used innovative tactics during this battle that were quite different from traditional tactics used at that time. He used rapid movements to surprise his enemies and minimize his own losses.

Frederick II’s tactics proved to be successful. His troops were able to break through the Austrian lines and reach their camp. The Austrians were taken by surprise.

The Outcome

After almost eleven hours of fighting, both sides suffered heavy losses. However, in the end, Prussia emerged as victorious. The Austrians lost around 12-14 thousand soldiers while Prussia lost around 12 thousand soldiers.

  • The victory gave a significant boost to Prussian morale.
  • It also helped establish Prussia as a significant power in Europe.
  • The Battle of Prague was the first major victory for Prussia against Austria.

Conclusion

The Battle of Prague was a significant battle that helped establish Prussia as a significant power in Europe. King Frederick II’s innovative tactics helped Prussian forces win the battle and emerge victorious. The victory proved to be a morale boost for the Prussian army and helped cement their position among European powers.