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To Russia with Love

The harsh 1757 – 1758 winter was felt even harder on Prussia troops. Fredrick had moved northwards after defeating the Austrians in Silesia late into the season, and started marching again early in the spring in order to confront the Russian and Swedish threat and prevent them joining forces. The cost of this partial winter march would be nearly 2000 men, dead from exposure or lost to desertion. He had to abandon his original plans to invade Moravia, and without doubt the Austrians would surely renew their advance into Silesia. To attempt to counter this he had to leave a portion of his forces behind with Von Zieten and instructions to raise as many new troops as possible. Fredrick feared it would only slow the Austrians not stop them so he needed a quick decisive victory against the Russians, followed up with one against the Swedes, and hope that the British keep the French busy so that he could bring the army south again.

He had words and promises that the British were pinning down the French troops in the western provinces, but Fredrick had made a desperate plea last fall for British naval aid in the Baltic. The Russian and Swedish Navies were already in the process of blockading the Prussian coast. Their response came just before Fredrick planned to start the spring campaign, that “the ships were needed elsewhere”

Parliament however, did understand of the pressing need for aid, but with demands for the planned attack on New France, descents on the French coasts, and blockades, they really couldn’t afford to divert significant naval assets to the Baltic. In closed backrooms however, an alternative was suggested and a small squadron of Privateers set sail for the Baltic, crewed by unofficial and unaffiliated adventurers of course.

The Russians, after taking Konigsburg had spent the rest of fall and early winter securing the Vistula all the way to Thorn where they had wintered, and other parts of East Prussia. General Lopukhin was actually becoming displeased at the slowness of progress and the relative hesitancy of some of the other generals. One thing he did agree with is the reversal of Apraksins harsh policies against the civilians which made obtaining supplies much easier. The overall plan was to head westwards in Spring to take the city of Bromberg and continue onwards to Stettin and aid the Swedish offensive south, if one ever materialized. Though Lopukhin had sent word back to Russia for the request of reinforcements, he believed that with Fredrick tied down in Silesia he would be able to unite with the Swedes and threaten Berlin or Frankfurt and still be in a position to aid the Austrians as well. However, Fredrick was not currently tied down.

Battle of Thorn

Lopukhin had a force of about 60,000 camped outside of Thorn when he heard reports of a Prussian army about half that size in the near vicinity. He quickly mustered his army in order to receive or an attack or move against them, though he did not know it was led by Fredrick himself.

Fredrick with 30,000 mostly veteran, but very war weary troops had lost the element of surprise he was hoping to achieve, but at least had managed to get his army across the Vistula before being noticed. He knew he had to face down the Russian army anyway.

The Russian generals maneuvered cautiously while Fredrick sent several probing and feint attacks, before both armies finally met in force on March 15th. Through discipline and yet another example of rapid artillery deployment, the Prussian’s drove the Russian army from the field. The victory was sorely needed by Fredrick, but was not nearly as decisive as he desired. The Russians fled in an orderly retreat. Later reports would confirm that they would stop at East Prussia, near Konigsburg again rather than flee all the way back to Russia.


Battle Results:
Prussian Forces: 4000 dead and wounded
Russian Forces: 5200 dead and wounded, 12 cannon captured.

Despite his victory, Fredrick declines to pursue the Russian army out of the need to both face Sweden, and be able to return south again toward Silesia as soon as possible.