Battle of Kulm

Overview

The Battle of Kulm was fought near the town Kulm and the village Přestanov in northern Bohemia. It was fought on 29–30 August 1813, during the War of the Sixth Coalition. A French corps under General Dominique Vandamme attacked Alexander Osterman-Tolstoy's Russian corps on 29 August. The next day, Friedrich von Kleist's Prussian corps hit Vandamme in the rear while Russian and Austrian reinforcements attacked the French front and left. Vandamme was defeated with the loss of between 13,000 and 25,000 men and 82 guns. Frederick William created an award for those who distinguished themselves in battle, the Kulm Cross.

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

Significance

The Battle of Kulm, fought on 29–30 August 1813 in northern Bohemia, ended in a decisive defeat for the French corps under Vandamme. Surrounded by Kleist's Prussians striking the French rear while Russian and Austrian reinforcements pressed the front and left, Vandamme's force suffered losses of between 13,000 and 25,000 men and 82 guns — a crippling blow to French strength in the campaign. The engagement checked a French thrust that had threatened the Allied armies operating in Bohemia during the War of the Sixth Coalition. In recognition of those who distinguished themselves, Frederick William created a dedicated award, the Kulm Cross, marking the battle's place in Prussian military memory.

Tactics

Forces & casualties

Commanders (7)