alternatehistory.com

An Early Start

At nearly, but not quite the end of winter, Fredrick was still wintering north of Silesia. He had left Hans Joachim von Zieten in charge of the Silesian forces after winning at Breslau the year before and moving north to defeat the Russians at Koslin. Zietan was wintering in the still occupied lower Silesia when the Austrian-assisted Saxon Revolt of the prior fall had begun. As he was still trying to recruit and refit the army, while keeping the Austrians in check in Silesia he did have the manpower or capacity to move westwards to take on the Saxon the prior year. Fredrick considered keeping and retaking Silesia as of much more importance than Saxony anyway, so had not granted him leave from its defense.

The Austrian too were rebuilding and preparing for the spring campaigns, and also considered lower Silesia of their most important goal. To this end they continued to send in supplies from Bohemia to devastated Schwednitz as it would be a necessary staging point in another attempt to take Breslau and Liegnitz before going down the Oder to take Glogau and Crossen.

Zietan’s mounted scouts had reported that the Austrian supply lines were only lightly defended, and Leopold Josef, Count Von Daun and the Austrian army were still near concentrated near Schwednitz awaiting reinforcements, better weather, and completion of repairs to the Fotress. Zietan could not do a direct attack so he sent Commander Wilhelm von Seyditz and his heavy cavalry into Bohemia to raid and strike at the supply lines, in an approach from Gorlitz, which was still occupied by Prussian forces. His hope was to some of Daun’s army off in pursuit of Seyditz where he might be able to cut them off.

Bohemian Raid

During March, Seyditz took an all cavalry Prussian force into northern Bohemians raiding towns and Austrian supply lines, striking Grottau, Kratzau, Reichenburg, Gablonz, Hohenelbe, Arnau, Tratenau and as far as Neustadt before Daun sent a contingent out to defend and intercept the raiding force. Commander Joseph von Siskovits lead an Austrian force against the Prussian raiders.


Battle of Hirschberg

On March 28th, Seyditz led Siskovitz on a chase right up to Zeitan’s forces near the town of Hirschberg. The Prussians, with a force of 15,000 clashed against the Austrian forces of 10,000, who were not expecting the larger Prussian forces lying in wait.

After a devastating surprise attack, Zeitan had hoped to achieve maneuver will enough to cut off and eliminate the Austrian forces. However this was not to be as Siskovitz was able to escape with over half his forces back to Daun and the larger Austrian army.

Battle Results:
Austrian Forces: 4,000 dead, wounded or captured.
Prussian Forces: 800 dead and wounded.

Decisive Prussian Victory.

Even though the entire Austrian contingent was not routed and eliminated, the battle was a much needed victory and boost for Prussian morale and was seen as a good sign for the rest of the year. When Fredrick got word of the battle, he further commended Seyditz and Zeitan. As a result of this loss of forces, Daun was forced to wait even further into the year for reinforcements. This delay would allow Fredrick another chance join Zietan again for another bloody contest over Silesia.

It must also be noted that although losses were small in comparison, one Prussian officer that fell in battle was Fredrick II. (but again, not that Fredrick II), but the heir to Hesse-Kassel. News of his son’s death had a negative effect on the health of his elderly father William VIII, the current Landgraf of Hesse-Kassel, such that he would pass away on June 10th. (OTL he died Feb. 1st, 1760.) Fredrick II’s, 17 year old son William I was to inherit but was away in Denmark with his mother and siblings at the time. However other events would impact the fate of the Hessians in the summer of 1759.