027.Lobositz - October 1, 1756 - WDS The Seven Years War

The Battle of Lobositz - Faced with the prospect of Russia and Austria launching a coordinated war against him in 1757, Frederick decided to launch a war to protect his conquest of Silesia in the fall of 1756. His first move was to isolate the Saxon army at Pirna. An Austrian relief army under Browne advanced to try to rescue the besieged Saxons. Frederick moved to drive off Browne, and on the morning of October 1, he faced what he thought to be the rearguard of Browne's retreating army near Lobositz. However, Browne was not retreating and he had his army in a very strong position. While Frederick held the field at the end of the day, he was served notice that the Austrians had improved greatly since the Second Silesian War.