ORDER OF BATTLE // November 22, 1757
Battle of Breslau
Estimated force strength by side, with confidence labels per surviving record.
Forces engaged
2 sides catalogued · combined 88,000 estimated
Prussia
28,000
Medium-confidence figure
Austria
60,000
Medium-confidence figure
Battle context
The Battle of Breslau on 22 November 1757 was fought between a Prussian force of 28,000 under the Duke of Brunswick-Bevern and an Austrian army of 60,000 under Prince Charles Alexander of Lorraine. The disparity in force sizes was substantial, and Prussian casualties of 10,150 against Austrian losses of 5,857 indicate a severe Prussian reverse. Coming during a critical phase of the Seven Years' War, the engagement left Prussia's position in Silesia significantly weakened and exposed Breslau, the province's principal city, to Austrian pressure. The defeat was part of the broader strategic crisis Prussia faced in late 1757, a period in which Frederick the Great would subsequently intervene to restore the situation at the Battle of Leuthen less than two weeks later.
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