Siege of Pirna

Overview

The Siege of Pirna, sometimes referred to as the Investment of Pirna, took place from 10 September to 14 October 1756 as part of the Prussian invasion of Saxony during the Third Silesian War.

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

Significance

The Siege of Pirna, lasting from 10 September to 14 October 1756, was a direct consequence of Prussia's invasion of Saxony at the opening of the Seven Years' War, also referred to in its early phase as the Third Silesian War. Frederick the Great committed a force of 62,000 Prussian troops against a Saxon army of roughly 20,000 under Frederick von Rutowski, with Maximilian Ulysses Browne also present among the Saxon commanders. Saxon casualties reached approximately 15,000. The operation formed part of Frederick's broader strategic move against Saxony at the outset of the conflict, establishing Prussian dominance over one of the war's earliest theaters and effectively neutralizing a significant opposing force before the wider continental struggle had fully developed.

Forces & casualties

Commanders (3)