Battle of Rossbach

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The Battle of Rossbach was a 1757 victory of Frederick the Great’s Prussian army over French and Imperial forces, renowned for its brilliant tactics and its decisive impact on shifting the balance of power in Europe during the Seven Years’ War.

Aliases (1)

Statements (47)
Predicate Object
instanceOf battle
military engagement
alsoKnownAs Schlacht bei Roßbach
associatedWith Frederick the Great
belligerent Electorate of Saxony
Holy Roman Empire
Kingdom of France
Kingdom of Prussia
campaign 1757 campaign of the Seven Years' War
combatantStrength French and Imperial army: about 40,000–50,000 men
Prussia: about 22,000–25,000 men
commander Charles, Prince of Soubise
Frederick II of Prussia
Prince Joseph of Saxe-Hildburghausen
Prince of Soubise
conflictOf Seven Years' War
countryAtTime Electorate of Saxony
date 5 November 1757
followedBy Battle of Leuthen
Prussian redeployment to Silesia
FrenchImperialCasualties around 7,000–10,000 killed and wounded
FrenchImperialGunsLost over 60 artillery pieces captured
FrenchImperialPrisoners around 5,000–7,000 captured
historicalSignificance demonstrated effectiveness of smaller, well-led army against larger force
ended French threat to Prussia in 1757
enhanced Frederick the Great's military reputation
shifted balance of power in Europe during the Seven Years' War
impactOnFrance severe blow to French prestige
impactOnPrussia boosted Prussian morale and international standing
location near Reichardtswerben, Electorate of Saxony
near Rossbach, Electorate of Saxony
modernCountry Germany
notableFeature rapid maneuver of Prussian cavalry and infantry
notableTactic feigned retreat and flank attack
use of oblique order
opponentCommanderNationality French
Imperial (Holy Roman Empire)
outcome decisive Prussian victory
partOf Seven Years' War
precededBy French advance into Saxony
presentDayLocation Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
PrussianCasualties about 500 killed and wounded
result Prussian victory
theatre European theatre of the Seven Years' War
typeOfVictory strategic victory
tactical victory
year 1757

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