072.Liegnitz - August 15, 1760 - WDS The Seven Years War

The Battle of Liegnitz - In August 1760, Frederick was attempting to link up with his brother near Breslau. However, the Austrians had three forces in pursuit of him. The Austrians hoped to pin Frederick against the Katzbach near Liegnitz, with their forces converging on him from three directions. Early on the morning of the 15th, Loudon's force attempted to advance to a holding position near Pfaffendorf, to serve as the "anvil" while Daun would be the hammer approaching from the west. However, he was unaware that Frederick had moved his forces further to the east overnight, and in the early hours, Frederick became aware of Loudon's approaching force. Frederick quickly readied his forces, and drove off Loudon, opening his pathway to escape to the east out of the Austrian trap. [Note, the fixed Prussian units are those that Frederick left facing west in case Daun's troops approached.]