The Battle of Königgrätz | The Prussian Army defeats the Austrian Empire, paving the way for German unification

Defence Redefined

03/07/2021

The Battle of Königgrätz was one of the greatest battles of the Austro-Prussian War in which the Kingdom of Prussia defeated the Austrian Empire. The battle broke out on July 3, 1866, near the bohemian cities of Königgrätz (now Hradec Králové, Czech Republic) and Sadowa (now Sadová, Czech Republic).

With its superior skills and tactics, Prussia’s infantry force won the battle and the war at Königgrätz. The Prussian artillery was ineffective and almost all the battles on the Prussian side were fought by the 1st Army under Prince Friedrich Karl and partly by the 2nd Army.  

The 7th Prussian Infantry Division and the 1st Infantry Division attacked and destroyed 38 out of 49 Infantry Battalions of four Austrian units at Swiepwald and Chlum in the center of the battlefield, winning a decisive victory. As a result, the Austrian Army was forced to retreat, before Prussian reinforcements were involved. 

The Prussians continued to pursue the defeated Austrian Army and fought in a series of small skirmishes, with the last skirmish at Blumenau on July 22, just where the Prague Peace was signed to stop the fighting. 

This victory provided a great opportunity for Prussian politicians, paving the way for German unification, with the subsequent establishment of the North German Confederation. The result also ensured that Prussia would have freedom of movement in a possible war with France.

Following this victory of Prussia, France sought to export territorial concessions to the Palatinate and Luxembourg.

The battle of Königgrätz resulted in 9,172 casualties on the Prussian side out of a force of 220,984, while the Austrian Army – a force of 238,000 – suffered 5,793 dead, 8,514 wounded, 7,836 missing and 22,170 prisoners. 

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