Battle of Schweinschädel

Significance

The Battle of Schweinschädel formed part of the Prussian 2nd Army's advance during the opening phase of the Austro-Prussian War. The Austrian IV Army Corps under Festetics moved to block Crown Prince Friedrich's thrust but was repulsed by the Prussian V Army Corps under Steinmetz, suffering approximately 1,450 casualties against a Prussian force of 24,000 against the Austrian 20,000. The defeat forced the Austrian corps to withdraw, removing one obstacle to the Prussian 2nd Army's continued drive into Bohemia. The action was one of several engagements in late June 1866 that degraded Austrian cohesion before the decisive confrontation later in the campaign.

Forces & casualties

Commanders (3)