Battle of Burkersdorf
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Burkersdorf was a battle fought on July 21, 1762 during the Seven Years' War
. A Prussia
n army of 40,000 men fought an Austria
n army of around 30,000 men.
After the death of Elizabeth of Russia, czarina of Russia, her nephew Peter III
came to the throne. Peter was a great admirer of Frederick the Great and all things Prussian, and Frederick used this to his advantage. Peter promptly withdrew his army from the war, abandoned Russian-occupied East Prussia, and signed a treaty of peace with Frederick. Peter then sent a force to aid the Prussian army in the campaign against the Austrians.
Peter's reign was short-lived, however, as his wife Catherine the Great seized the throne, and he died shortly afterwards. Catherine withdrew from the war and sent orders for Count Zakhar Tchernyshov
aiding the Prussians to withdraw.
Seeing the necessity of quick action, Frederick convinced the Russian general to stay for a few more days, not to take part in the battle, but to be a force acting on the Austrian general's decisions. Frederick attacked and won, and the Russian force returned home.
Seven Years' War
The Seven Years' War was a global military war between 1756 and 1763, involving most of the great powers of the time and affecting Europe, North America, Central America, the West African coast, India, and the Philippines...
. A Prussia
Prussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
n army of 40,000 men fought an Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
n army of around 30,000 men.
After the death of Elizabeth of Russia, czarina of Russia, her nephew Peter III
Peter III of Russia
Peter III was Emperor of Russia for six months in 1762. He was very pro-Prussian, which made him an unpopular leader. He was supposedly assassinated as a result of a conspiracy led by his wife, who succeeded him to the throne as Catherine II.-Early life and character:Peter was born in Kiel, in...
came to the throne. Peter was a great admirer of Frederick the Great and all things Prussian, and Frederick used this to his advantage. Peter promptly withdrew his army from the war, abandoned Russian-occupied East Prussia, and signed a treaty of peace with Frederick. Peter then sent a force to aid the Prussian army in the campaign against the Austrians.
Peter's reign was short-lived, however, as his wife Catherine the Great seized the throne, and he died shortly afterwards. Catherine withdrew from the war and sent orders for Count Zakhar Tchernyshov
Zakhar Tchernyshov
Count Zakhar Grigoryevich Chernyshov or Tchernyshov was the eldest of three brothers, Zakhar, Ivan Tchernyshov, and Pyotr Tchernyshov, close friends of Timofei Evreinov, and the sons of Grigory Chernyshev, the first count Chernyshev and one of Peter the Great's generals, enlisted in the Russian...
aiding the Prussians to withdraw.
Seeing the necessity of quick action, Frederick convinced the Russian general to stay for a few more days, not to take part in the battle, but to be a force acting on the Austrian general's decisions. Frederick attacked and won, and the Russian force returned home.