Arms and Armour

Bohemian campaign of 1744

The Bohemian campaign of 1744 (14 August 1744 – January 1745) was fought between the Prussian army commanded by King Frederick II and the Habsburg Austrian army led by Prince Charles Alexander of Lorraine. The Austrians were assisted by a corps from the Electorate of Saxony. In August 1744, the Prussian army invaded the Habsburg territory of Bohemia. Frederick planned to seize part or all of Bohemia while Austria's main army under Prince Charles Alexander of Lorraine was far away in Alsace. The Prussian army concluded the Siege of Prague in September and quickly occupied the eastern half of Bohemia. Prince Charles' army evacuated Alsace and marched rapidly across southern Germany. It joined Károly József Batthyány's Bohemian army and a Saxon corps. Assisted by Otto Ferdinand von Abensperg und Traun, Prince Charles outmaneuvered Frederick, steadily compelling him to withdraw from territory that the Prussians occupied. The Austrian Pandurs and hussars constantly harassed the Prussians, capturing messengers and wiping out foraging detachments. The Austrians first pushed Frederick behind the Elbe River then they forced their way across the river in mid-November. Frederick was compelled to abandon Prague and evacuate Bohemia. The Prussian army's logistical support and discipline broke down during the retreat and 10,000 to 30,000 men were lost to desertion, capture, or death.

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See also

• ▸Castro culture
• ▸Carpanthea
• ▸Cuban Liberation Army

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