Chapter 5: The Austro-Prussian War (1839-1840)
On 24 October, when the Austrian Empire declared war, a new chapter in what would become known as the 'Prussian Wars' began. Already at war with the British, French, and Russian empires, the Prussians were now at war with Austria. Furthermore, the Ottoman Empire having sided with the Prussians was now also facing all four empires. The first general European War, since 1815, was in full motion.
With the declaration of war issued to the Prussians, word was sent from Vienna to the capitals of Austria's allies. During the following days, most returned word that they had also declared war on Prussia with two notable exceptions: Baden and Württemberg. The reason for Austria going to war had practically evaporated within the first week, without any fighting having taken place.
Despite facing a three-front war, the Prussians had made gains in France and overran much of the Russian Empire's Duchy of Warsaw. As predicted, however, Austria going to war had prompted a British landing in the Low Countries. The British landing was not enough to stop the Prussians inflicting further defeats upon the Russians, and advancing deeper into the Warsaw Duchy. If their progress continued, the possibility raised its head that the Russians may attempt to back out of the war.
The progress of the war, and the new Austrian plan of action.
During late October, the commanding officers of the I, II, III, and IV Corps (all poised along the Austria-Prussian border ready to enact the prearranged invasion plan) met in conference. Hussar regiments, having crossed the border to seek out the Prussian positions, had reported back that no Prussian troops were in the vicinity. News reports had heralded the Prussian victories over the Russians in Poland. All four commanders agreed that there was little point advancing into empty territory for the sake of capturing ground. Instead, they believed a massive flanking attack into Russian territory would take the Prussian eastern armies by surprise and inflict the devastating blow hoped for when planning for the war began (not to mention keep the Russians in the war). Representatives were sent into Russia to make contact, and a transit deal was soon established.
I, II, and III Corps were assembled together as the First Army (90,000 men strong), leaving IV Corps (30,000 strong) to defend the Austrian frontier. As First Army moved into position, IV Corps was the first to see action and engage the Prussians. The opening offensive was conducted by a combined force of Bavarians and Italians. Marching into Silesia, they began to besiege Leignitz. In response, the Prussians sent an infantry corps to lift the siege and throw back the invaders. Austrian hussars, patrolling the opposite side of the border, spotted the Prussian movement. Taking advantage of the situation, IV Corps marched to intercept and attack the Prussians in the flank. On 14 January, in low temperature and marching through snow, IV Corps descended upon the Prussian corps as it formed up to engage the Italian camp. The Prussian troops were swept aside in an outstanding victory that resulted in the near destruction of the Prussian force.
The first battle of the war
Word of this victory soon spread, reaching the First Army prior to their movement into Russia; morale soared. The First Army marched north, meeting little opposition, and liberating province after province. The Prussian garrisons retreated rather than give battle. Reports and letters sent back to Austria, during this period, spoke of an almost invincible feeling surrounding the offensive.
The Austrian initial dispositions had been under the assumption that the pre-planned offensive would be launched, and that the Ottoman Empire would be busy fighting the Russians. This turned out to be partially true: the Ottomans were heavily engaged fighting the Russians. However, rather boldly they launched a limited invasion of the southern stretches of the Austrian Empire. Two Ottoman corps marched north though Serbia (who had surrendered on 1 February) and proceeded to dig-in to secure their gains. The Austrian V and VI Corps, who had been held initially in reserve while the
Landwehr were trained, marched south together as the Second Army. Despite their deficiencies, the
Landwehr engaged in battle on 24 February. During the Battle of Mitrovica, they inflicted heavy losses upon the Ottomans and threw one of their invading corps back across the border. Again, morale throughout the empire soared.
On 14 February, at Skierniewice in the Duchy of Warsaw, the Austrian II Corps captured the city's fortress liberating a further Russian province. The fortress, manned by a single Prussian brigade, had held out for weeks and cost Austria close to 5,000 troops. Despite the losses, it was another victory against the Prussians. Three weeks later in Silesia, again at Leignitz, IV Corps and the same German formation they previously fought clashed in pitch battle. This time the Austrian IV Corps lacked the element of surprise, but had been able to pick a suitable defensive position in clear terrain in warmer weather than before. The Prussians launched numerous infantry assaults, but each time were thrown back. The battle was not so one-sided, however. With each Prussian assault, casualties on both sides increased. By the days end, 21,000 men lay dead or wounded, but the Austrian force held the field. The end of winter saw numerous German states seek peace, slowly eroding the available numbers to the Prussians.
The opening months of the war had been a euphoric time for Austria, despite the actions of her South German compatriots. However, the arrival of spring saw a reverse in fortunes. Several attempts by the Second Army to completely rid Austria of the Ottomans saw heavy defeat after heavy defeat, the Ottomans maintaining their positions with ease. To the north, April saw the arrival of fresh troops to bolster the Prussians. Tens of thousands of Swedish soldiers marched through the Duchy of Warsaw towards the positions of First Army. Within the space of two days most of First Army had been destroyed, 45,000 casualties having been suffered. Prussian-Swedish losses were not light, but with fresh troops they were able to overcome the losses and carry on their own offensive. First Army was sent reeling south back to Austrian territory, with barely any troops left. While an attempt was made to rebuild First Army, the Prussians and Swedes launched an invasion of the Austrian Empire. For the Swedes, their target appeared to be Budapest. Only the undefeated IV Corps, along with cavalry divisions (previously assigned to seize Sigmaringen), stood in the way to oppose at least triple their number. May also saw the Ottomans once again heavily defeat the Second Army, and while the Austrian navy won a major battle with their Ottoman counterparts, it came at the loss of most of the fledgling fleet.
The invasion of the Austrian Empire
(large Prussian-Swedish numbers obscured by Austrian markers)
These setbacks overwrote the victories that had come before them. On the backfoot, IV Corps rallied to defend the Empire in its most darkest hour since Napoleon. Between May and August, IV Corps and the cavalry engaged in a series of battles across northern Austria with the Prussian-Swedish invaders. Initially, several small skirmishes were fought leading to local IV Corp victories. On 14 July, a pitched battle was fought resulting in heavy Austrian losses and a local defeat. Two weeks later, on 7 August, IV Corps rebounded and engaged in battle, inflicting a one sided and heavy defeated upon the Swedes. This marked the end of the Prussian-Swedish invasion, with their forces fleeing back north into Silesia albeit having to leave around 70,000 graves in Austria. In the south, the Second Army had been rendered completely impotent by the Ottomans, leading to an embarrassing situation: French columns arrived to engage the Ottoman troops. On 5 July, the Ottoman defensive positions were assault by this combined Austro-Franco force. This victory came at a high cost, but it also began the retreat of the Ottoman army from Austria. Second Army did not follow, instead their battered remains were sent north to reinforce the main effort against Prussia. In their wake, the French launched an invasion of Bosnia in support of their beleaguered Russian allies.
In September, Austrian launched an invasion of Silesia; First Army having finally recovered from its losses. The size of the army was not the same as it had been a year earlier, and with morale still shaken, it was very possible the military would not be able to hold up to any further large battles. In terms of battles won and casualties inflicted, Austria was still lagging behind despite the turn of events. It was with great relief in Vienna when, on 17 September, the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies sent word offering an alliance. Their offer was readily accepted, with the intent that thousands of extra Italian soldiers would soon breach the final Prussian positions in the name of the emperor.
During October, a flu pandemic broke out across the empire and among the troops, its spread exacerbated by the ongoing fighting and the destruction caused in northern Austria. From Vienna's point a view, there was a more positive note to be seen during the month. Prussia appeared to be on the verge of collapse. Austrian forces were steadily marching north, the British had occupied the Netherlands and invaded northwest Prussia, the French had overrun much of Prussia's western territories, and the Russians had largely regained their lost territory. Morale, despite the losses to flu, was returning. On a high from the turn of events, the Austrian military were determined to march on Berlin! It was not be in one of the most embarrassing episodes of the empire's history. On 18 November, diplomats from the Two Sicilies - negotiating for the Austrian alliance of German and Italian states - met with their Prussian counterparts and secured a peace deal: Sigmaringen would be ceded to Austria in turn for peace. Such a deal was wanted, but not in the manner of how it arrived. Ultimately, the political goal of the war had been achieved, and numerous defeats inflicted upon the Prussians achieved the military goal. Yet, the Prussians were able to have the last laugh. Baden, who had refused to join Austria in attacking Prussia, had entered Prussia's sphere of influence and kicked out Austria's diplomats banning their embassy all together. Prussia had snatched victory out of the hands of Austria.
During the 13-month war, Austrian casualties amounted to 192,223 men killed or wounded. A further 2,265 had been captured in Poland, during First Army's retreat. Taking into account the Italian and German allies, total casualties were estimated to be around 200,000 mark. Austro-Prussian record keeping establish the Prussian alliance's losses at 138,083, with 29,500 more captured during the process of the disastrous invasion of Austria. In the south, Ottoman records state 17,704 men were lost, with 1,329 captured during their rout.
Austria's "victory", not even headline news.