Prussia

Karl Wilhelm Ferdinand, duke of Braunschweig-WolfenbĂĽttel

Biography Prussia 6 Min Read

(1735-1806) ruler of the duchy of Braunschweig-WolfenbĂĽttel from 1780 to 1806. Marriage alliances linked the Braunschweig princes with PRUSSIA, thereby providing them with a powerful ally and protector. Karl Wilhelm Ferdinand exhibited interests as a young man in the intellectual trends of the ENLIGHTENMENT and in state reform. He studied the writings of the French PHILOSOPHES and traveled to Ferney…

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Personnel Prussia Wargame 7 Min Read

Potsdam Giants by Name!

The Potsdam Giants was the Prussian infantry regiment No 6, composed of taller-than-average soldiers. The regiment was founded in 1675 and dissolved in 1806 after the Prussian defeat against Napoleon. Throughout the reign of the Prussian king Friedrich Wilhelm I of Prussia (1688–1740) the unit was known as the “Potsdamer…

Battle France Prussia Russia 14 Min Read

Battle of Eylau (7–8 February 1807)

“Napoleon on the field of Eylau” by Antoine-Jean Gros The Battle of Eylau, 1807 – Situation Early, 8 February The Battle of Eylau, 1807 – Situation About 1600, 8 February Eylau has the dubious distinction of being one of the bloodiest and most futile battles of the Napoleonic Wars. Some…

History Prussia 9 Min Read

Brandenburg and the first Nordic War 1655-60

Frederick William, the “Great Elector”. As Frederick William finally took possession of East Pomerania, his interest in the Baltic intensified. In 1654 Queen Christina of Sweden abdicated in favour of her cousin, Charles X. The new king showed every sign of emulating Gustavus Adolphus in his desire to make the…

Armies Germany Prussia 8 Min Read

The Rebirth of the German Cavalry

Late 19th century Prussian Cuirassiers The countryside around Konitz simmered in the warm September sun. The fields were not planted. There were no rivers and few trees. An occasional, gentle rise in the landscape was all that interrupted the drab flatness of the area. Located in the Baltic province of…

Austria Battle Prussia Russia 25 Min Read

Kunersdorf 1759 Part I

732118 Frederick, once he had decided to march to the Oder, was swift about it. August 3, 1959 admitting he had failed to intercept Laudon, he pushed on towards MĂĽllrose (within 12 miles of Frankfurt). Here he gave Wedell instructions to move what remained of his army to that village.…

Austria Battle Prussia Russia 33 Min Read

Kunersdorf 1759 Part II

Battle of Kunersdorf, Alexander Kotzebue The Battle A little more than an hour after their appearance from the thick woods, the Prussian main body stood ranked for battle and had the batteries set up. Finck had been waiting for the signal to attack since first light, and his gunners were…

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Battle of Eylau (7–8 February 1807)

“Napoleon on the field of Eylau” by Antoine-Jean Gros The Battle of Eylau, 1807 –…

The Battle of Zorndorf I

Cossacks burn Zorndorf On August 20, the king’s Prussians arrived at the gates of Frankfurt-on-Oder;…

The Battle of Tannenberg 1410 Part I

Background Two conflicts formed the bookends, so to say, of the fourteenth century in Prussia.…

Prussian Reforms 1806-15

GERHARD von SCHARNHORST (1755-1813) Chief of the Prussian General Staff. Napoleon’s defeats were important, especially…