Battle of Chotusitz

Overview

The Battle of Chotusitz, took place on 17 May 1742, in Bohemia, now the Czech Republic, during the First Silesian War, part of the wider War of the Austrian Succession. Led by Charles of Lorraine, an Imperial force of around 25,000 men was advancing against French-occupied Prague, when it ran into a Prussian army of roughly equal size, commanded by Frederick the Great. Casualties were heavy on both sides, and the battle had little impact on the war in general, but is generally considered a Prussian victory.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance

The Battle of Chotusitz, fought on 17 May 1742 in Bohemia, arose when an Austrian imperial force of around 25,000 men under Charles of Lorraine, advancing against French-occupied Prague, encountered a Prussian army of roughly equal size commanded by Frederick the Great. Casualties were heavy on both sides — approximately 5,100 Austrian and 4,900 Prussian — reflecting the intensity of the engagement despite parity in force sizes. The battle is generally considered a Prussian victory, though its direct effect on the broader War of the Austrian Succession was limited. Within the context of the First Silesian War, the engagement nonetheless reinforced Prussian military standing in Bohemia and checked Austrian offensive momentum toward Prague at a moment when French forces held the city.

Forces & casualties

Commanders (8)