What century is the seven year war in? Russian troops in the Seven Years' War

Course of the Seven Years' War

The Seven Years' War (1756–1763) is a war of two coalitions for hegemony in Europe, as well as for colonial possessions in North America and India.

general political situation. Causes

One coalition included England and Prussia, the other - France, Austria and Russia. Between England and France there was a struggle for colonies in North America. Clashes there began as early as 1754, and in 1756 England declared war on France. 1756, January - Anglo-Prussian alliance was concluded. In response, Prussia's main rival, Austria, decided to make peace with its old enemy France.

The Austrians wanted to regain Silesia, while the Prussians hoped to conquer Saxony. Sweden joined the Austro-French defensive alliance, hoping to win Stettin and other territories from Prussia that were lost during the Great Northern War. By the end of the year, Russia joined the Anglo-French coalition, hoping to conquer East Prussia in order to transfer it to Poland later in exchange for Courland and Semigallia. Prussia was supported by Hanover and several small North German states.

The course of hostilities

1756 - invasion of Saxony

The King of Prussia had a well-trained army of 150,000, at that time the best in Europe. 1756, August - he invaded Saxony with an army of 95 thousand people and inflicted a number of defeats on the Austrian army, which came to the aid of the Saxon elector. On October 15, the 20,000-strong Saxon army capitulated at Pirna, and its soldiers joined the ranks of the Prussian army. After that, the 50,000th Austrian army left Saxony.

Attack on Bohemia, Silesia

1757, spring - the Prussian king invaded Bohemia with an army of 121.5 thousand people. At this time, the Russian army had not yet begun the invasion of East Prussia, and France was going to act against Magdeburg and Hanover. On May 6, near Prague, 64,000 Prussians defeated 61,000 Austrians. Both sides in this battle lost 31.5 thousand killed and wounded, and the Austrian troops also lost 60 guns. As a result, 50,000 Austrians were blocked in the capital of the Czech Republic by a 60,000-strong Prussian army. To unblock Prague, the Austrians gathered at Kolin the 54,000th army of General Down with 60 guns. She moved to Prague. Friedrich fielded 33 thousand people with 28 heavy guns against the Austrian troops.

Battles of Kolin, Rosbach and Leuthen

1757, June 17 - Prussian troops began to bypass the right flank of the Austrian position at Kolin from the north, but Daun was able to notice this maneuver in time and deployed his forces with a front to the north. When the next day the Prussians went on the attack, inflicting the main blow against the enemy's right flank, they were met with heavy fire. The Prussian infantry of General Gulsen was able to occupy the village of Krzegory, but the tactically important oak grove behind it remained in the hands of the Austrians.

Down moved his reserve here. Finally, the main forces of the Prussians, concentrated on the left flank, could not withstand the rapid fire of enemy artillery, which fired grapeshot, and fled. Here the Austrian troops of the left flank went on the attack. Down's cavalry pursued the defeated enemy for several kilometers. The remnants of the Prussian army retreated to Nimburg.

Down's victory was the result of a one-and-a-half superiority of the Austrians in people and a twofold advantage in artillery. Frederick's army lost 14 thousand killed, wounded and captured and almost all artillery, and the Austrians - 8 thousand people. The Prussian king was forced to lift the siege of Prague and retreat to the border of Prussia.

Clockwise from top left: Battle of Plasse (June 23, 1757); Battle of Carillon (July 6-8, 1758); Battle of Zorndorf (August 25, 1758); Battle of Kunersdorf (August 12, 1759)

The strategic position of Prussia seemed critical. Allied forces numbering up to 300 thousand people were deployed against the Prussian army. Frederick 2 decided to first defeat the French army, reinforced by the troops of the principalities allied with Austria, and then again invade Silesia.

The 45,000-strong allied army took up a position near Müheln. Frederick, who had only 24 thousand soldiers, was able to lure the enemy out of the fortifications with a false retreat to the village of Rossbach. The French hoped to cut off the Prussian army from crossings over the Saale River and defeat it.

November 5, 1757, in the morning - the allies marched in three columns around the enemy left flank. This maneuver was covered by an 8,000-strong detachment, which started a skirmish with the Prussian vanguard. Friedrich was able to unravel the enemy's plan and at half past three in the afternoon he ordered to withdraw from the camp and simulate a withdrawal to Merseburg. The Allies attempted to intercept the escape route by sending their cavalry around Janus Hill. But she was unexpectedly attacked and defeated by the Prussian cavalry under the command of General Seidlitz.

At this time, under the cover of heavy fire from 18 artillery batteries, the Prussian infantry went on the offensive. The allied infantry had to line up in battle formation under enemy nuclei. Soon she was under the threat of a flank attack by the Seidlitz squadrons, faltered and ran. The French and their allies lost 7,000 killed, wounded and captured, and all their artillery - 67 guns and a convoy. The losses of the Prussian army were insignificant - only 540 killed and wounded. Here, both the qualitative superiority of the Prussian cavalry and artillery, and the mistakes of the allied command, affected. The French commander-in-chief started a complex maneuver, as a result, most of the army was in marching columns and was not able to take part in the battle. Friedrich got the opportunity to beat the enemy in parts.

Meanwhile, the Prussian army in Silesia was defeated. Frederick rushed to their aid with 21,000 infantry, 11,000 cavalry, and 167 guns. The Austrians settled down near the village of Leiten on the banks of the Weistritsa River. They had 59 thousand infantry, 15 thousand cavalry and 300 guns. 1757, December 5, morning - the Prussian cavalry threw back the Austrian vanguard, depriving the enemy of the opportunity to observe Frederick's army. Therefore, the attack of the main forces of the Prussian army was a complete surprise for the Austrian commander-in-chief, Duke Charles of Lorraine.

The Prussian king, as always, delivered the main blow on his right flank, but by the actions of the avant-garde he drew the attention of the enemy to the opposite wing. When Karl realized the true intentions and began to rebuild his army, the Austrians' order of battle was broken. Frederick took advantage of this for a flank attack. The Prussian cavalry routed the Austrian cavalry on the right flank and put them to flight. Then Seydlitz also attacked the Austrian infantry, which had previously been pushed back behind Leithen by the Prussian infantry. Only darkness saved the remnants of the Austrian army from complete annihilation. The Austrians lost 6.5 thousand people killed and wounded and 21.5 thousand prisoners, as well as all artillery and convoy. The losses of the Prussian army did not exceed 6 thousand people. Silesia was again under Prussian control.

Frederick II the Great

East Prussia

Meanwhile, Russian troops began active hostilities. Back in the summer of 1757, the 65,000-strong Russian army under the command of Field Marshal S.F. Apraksin moved to Lithuania, intending to capture East Prussia. In August, the Russian army approached Koenigsberg.

On August 19, the 22,000th detachment of the Prussian General Lewald attacked the Russian army near the village of Gross-Egersdorf, having no idea either about the true number of the enemy, who was almost three times superior to him, or about his location. Instead of the left flank, Levald found himself in front of the center of the Russian position. The regrouping of the Prussian forces during the battle only exacerbated the situation. The right flank of Lewald turned out to be overturned, which could not be compensated for by the success of the left-flank Prussian troops, who captured the enemy battery, but did not have the opportunity to develop success. The losses of the Prussians amounted to 5 thousand killed and wounded and 29 guns, the losses of the Russians reached 5.5 thousand people. The Russian troops did not pursue the retreating enemy, and the battle at Gross-Egersdorf had no decisive significance.

Unexpectedly, Apraksin gave the order to retreat, citing the lack of supplies and the separation of the army from their bases. The field marshal was accused of treason and put on trial. The only success was the capture of Memel by 9,000 Russian troops. This port was turned into the main base of the Russian fleet for the duration of the war.

1758 - the new commander-in-chief, general-in-chief, Count V.V. Fermor, with a 70,000th army with 245 guns, was able to easily occupy East Prussia, captured Koenigsberg and continued the offensive to the west.

Battle of Zorndorf

In August, a general battle took place between the Russian and Prussian troops near the village of Zorndorf. On the 14th, the Prussian king, who had 32,000 soldiers and 116 guns, attacked Fermor's army here, in which there were 42,000 people and 240 guns. The Prussians managed to push back the Russian army, which retreated to Kalisz. Fermor lost 7,000 killed, 10,000 wounded, 2,000 prisoners, and 60 guns. Friedrich's losses reached 4 thousand killed, more than 6 thousand wounded, 1.5 thousand prisoners. Frederick did not pursue the defeated army of Fermor, but headed for Saxony.

Map of the Seven Years' War

1759 - Battle of Kunersdorf

1759 - Fermor was replaced by Field Marshal Count P.S. Saltykov. By this time, the Allies had put up 440 thousand people against Prussia, whom the Prussian king could only oppose with 220 thousand. On June 26, the Russian army set out from Poznan to the Oder River. On July 23, at Frankfurt an der Oder, she joined the Austrian army. On July 31, the king of Prussia with a 48,000th army took up a position near the village of Kunersdorf, hoping to meet here the combined Austro-Russian forces, which largely outnumbered his troops.

Saltykov's army numbered 41 thousand people, and the Austrian army of General Down - 18.5 thousand people. On August 1, the Prussians attacked the left flank of the allied forces. The Prussian troops succeeded in capturing an important height here and placing a battery there, which brought down fire on the center of the Russian army. The Prussians pressed the center and the right flank of the Russians. But Saltykov was able to create a new front and go on a general counteroffensive. After a 7-hour battle, the Prussian army retreated behind the Oder in disarray. Immediately after the battle, Frederick had only 3,000 soldiers at hand, as the rest scattered around the surrounding villages, and they had to be gathered under the banners for several days.

Frederick's army lost 18 thousand people killed and wounded, the Russians - 13 thousand, and the Austrians - 2 thousand. Due to the heavy losses and fatigue of the soldiers, the allies could not organize the pursuit, which saved the Prussians from the final defeat. After Kunersdorf, the Russian army, at the request of the Austrian emperor, was transferred to Silesia, where the Prussian army also suffered a number of defeats.

1760-1761

The campaign of 1760 proceeded sluggishly. Only at the end of September was a raid on Berlin undertaken. The first assault on the city, undertaken on the 22-23rd of the 5th thousand. detachment of General Totleben, ended in failure. Only with the approach to the city of the 12,000th corps of General Chernyshev and the detachment of the Austrian General Lassi, the Prussian capital was besieged by the 38,000th allied army (of which 24,000 were Russians), 2.5 times greater than the number of the Prussian army concentrated near Berlin. The Prussians chose to leave the city without a fight. On September 28, the 4,000-strong garrison that covered the retreat capitulated. In the city, 57 guns were captured and gunpowder factories and an arsenal were blown up. Because Friedrich hurried to Berlin with the main forces of the army, Field Marshal Saltykov ordered Chernyshev's corps and other detachments to retreat. Berlin itself was not of strategic importance.

The campaign of 1761 proceeded as sluggishly as the previous one. In December, Rumyantsev's corps was taken by Kolberg.

The final stage. Results

The position of the Prussian king seemed hopeless, but the emperor, who replaced the Russian throne in early 1762, bowed to the military genius of Frederick II, stopped the war and even concluded an alliance with Prussia on May 5. At the same time, after the destruction of its fleet by the British, France withdrew from the war, having suffered a number of defeats from the British in North America and India. True, in July 1762, Peter was deposed on the orders of his wife. She terminated the Russo-Prussian alliance, but did not continue the war. An excessive weakening of Prussia was not in the interests of Russia, as it could lead to Austrian hegemony in Central Europe.

Austria was forced to make peace with Prussia on February 15, 1763. The King of Prussia was forced to renounce his claims to Saxony, but retained Silesia. Five days earlier, peace had been concluded in Paris between England and France. The French lost their possessions in Canada and India, retaining only 5 Indian cities in their hands. The left bank of the Mississippi also passed from France to England, and the French were forced to cede the right bank of this river to the Spaniards, and they also had to pay compensation to the latter for Florida ceded to the British.

Seven Years' War 1756-1763 arose from a number of conflicts between the main European powers. The fact is that at the time under review, the two countries fought for the right to act as a leader in the international arena. France and England entered into a protracted period of conflict, which made an armed clash between them inevitable. At this time, both countries embarked on the path of colonial conquest, and friction constantly arose between them due to the division of territories and spheres of influence. North American and Indian territories became the main arena of confrontation. In these lands, both warring parties constantly clashed in defining borders and redistributing areas. It was these contradictions that led to the military conflict.

Background of the collision

Seven Years' War 1756-1763 was also the result of the strengthening of the Prussian state. Frederick II created an army that was very efficient by those standards, thanks to which he made a number of seizures, due to which he rounded the borders of his country. This expansion came at the expense of Austria, from which he took the Silesian lands. Silesia was one of the richest regions of this state, and this loss was a significant loss for the state. It is not surprising, therefore, that Empress Maria Theresa was interested in the return of lost lands. Under these conditions, the Prussian ruler sought support from England, which, in turn, sought to secure its European possessions (Hanover), and was also interested in support in retaining these lands for itself.

Seven Years' War 1756-1763 became a consequence of the contradictions between England and France over the division of colonial lands, as already mentioned above. Our country also had grounds for participating in the armed confrontation. The fact is that the claims of the Prussian state threatened spheres of influence on the Polish, Baltic borders. In addition, Russia since the 1740s. connected with Austria by a system of treaties. On this basis, the rapprochement of our country with France took place, thus the anti-Prussian coalition took shape.

The beginning of the confrontation

Causes of the Seven Years' War of 1756-1763 defined its scope. The leading European powers were drawn into the course of hostilities. In addition, several fronts of warfare were formed: continental, North American, Indian and others. This military confrontation between the blocs changed the balance of power in Western Europe and changed its geopolitical map.

Seven Years' War 1756-1763 began with the attack of the Prussian king on Saxony. The calculation of this ruler was as follows: he planned to create a bridgehead here to attack the enemy. In addition, he wanted to use Austria as a prosperous region to replenish his army, and also intended to use its economic and material resources. He repulsed the Saxon attack and occupied these lands. After this victory, the Prussian king inflicted a series of blows on the Austrians, he even captured the city of Prague for a while, but later the Austrian army defeated him near the city of Kolin. However, the Prussian army was victorious at Leuthen, thus restoring the original balance of power.

Continuation of hostilities

The entry of France into the war greatly complicated the position of the Prussian king, but nevertheless he managed to inflict a serious blow on his new enemy at Rosbach. Then our country started fighting. The Russian army was considered one of the strongest in Europe, but it was unable to realize its advantages largely due to the fact that the commanders of the seven-year war of 1756-1763. failed to take full advantage of its potential. In the very first major battle, the commander of the troops Apraksin, despite the victory over the enemy, unexpectedly gave the order to retreat. The next battle was led by the Englishman Fermor. Under his leadership, Russian troops took part in one of the bloodiest battles during the military campaign of the second year of the war. This battle did not bring any decisive success to either side. one of his contemporaries called the strangest battle.

Victories of Russian weapons

The Seven Years' War of 1756-1763, which is usually briefly reported in schools in connection with Russia's participation in it, entered its decisive phase of warfare in the third year of its development. This was largely due to the victory won by the Russian army under the leadership of the new commander Saltykov. He was very smart, besides, he was popular among the soldiers. It was under his leadership that the Russian army won its glorious victory at Kunersdorf. Then it was utterly defeated, and the king faced a real threat of capturing the capital of his state. However, instead, the allied army withdrew, as the countries of the anti-Prussian coalition began to accuse each other of violating obligations.

Further course of action

However, the position of Frederick II was extremely difficult. He turned to England for help, asking her to act as an intermediary in holding a peace congress. Seven Years' War 1756-1763 briefly reported in connection with the above battle, nevertheless continued due to the position of Russia and Austria, who intended to deliver a decisive and final blow to their enemy. The Prussian king inflicted damage on the Austrians, but still the forces were unequal. His army lost its combat effectiveness, which affected the conduct of hostilities. In 1760, Russian and Austrian troops occupied the capital of his state. However, they were soon forced to leave it, having learned about the approach of the king. In the same year, the last major battle of the war took place, in which the Prussian king nevertheless emerged victorious. But he was already exhausted: in one battle he lost almost half of his army. In addition, on secondary fronts, his opponents achieved some success.

Final stage

Causes of the Seven Years' War of 1756-1763 affected the nature of the conduct of hostilities. In fact, the main battles in Europe unfolded between Prussia and Austria with the active participation of our country. However, in connection with the death of the Russian Empress, there was a sharp change in the foreign policy course under her successor. The new emperor returned to the Prussian king all the lands occupied by Russian troops, signed a peace and alliance treaty with him, and even sent his military corps to help him. This unexpected change literally saved Prussia from final defeat.

However, Catherine II, who ascended the throne, canceled this agreement, but nevertheless, not yet feeling confident enough in the capital, she did not resume hostilities. So, by this time, the seven-year war of 1756-1763 had almost ended. Russia took an active part in it, but did not make any territorial acquisitions. The Prussian king, taking advantage of this respite, inflicted several more serious blows on the Austrians, but it became quite obvious that the resources of his country would not be able to continue the bloody battles.

North American Front in Confrontation

The fighting was not limited to the European mainland. A fierce struggle unfolded in the north of America, where the British clashed with the French for spheres of influence. For five years, there was a struggle between both sides for the capture of ports, cities and fortresses. The Seven Years' War of 1756-1763, which is usually briefly discussed only in relation to the clash of powers on the European continent, thus covered the overseas lands. The fiercest confrontation unfolded over Quebec. As a result, France was defeated and lost Canada.

Action in India

The struggle of these powers also unfolded in India, where the British successively ousted the French from their positions. Characteristically, the struggle was both over land and over the sea. Finally, the English troops drove the French out of their positions in 1760. This victory turned England into a major colonial power and finally brought India under her control.

Consequences

The Seven Years' War of 1756-1763, the results of which literally changed the map of Europe and the balance of power between the leading powers, became perhaps the largest military-political clash on the continent in the middle of the 18th century. The results of this serious confrontation led to the redistribution of colonial territories and spheres of influence between states. The main consequence of the struggle was the transformation of England into the largest on the mainland. This country pressed the position of its main opponent France and took a leading position in the expansion of spheres of influence.

Terms of agreements

The results of the seven-year war of 1756-1763. affected, first of all, the redistribution of territories. In the year of the end of hostilities, a treaty was signed according to which France lost Canada, ceding this area to her rival, who also made a number of other major territorial acquisitions. The position of France after this treaty was greatly shaken. However, internal reasons also contributed a lot to this: a serious crisis was brewing in the state itself, which led to a revolution a few decades later.

In the same year, Prussia signed an agreement with Austria, according to which Silesia and some other lands remained behind it. Because of these disputed territories, both powers were in hostile relations for quite some time. But Frederick II, almost immediately after the end of the war, took a course towards rapprochement with our country. The Seven Years' War of 1756-1763, the causes, the results of which determined the development of the European powers for a whole century ahead, distributed allied relations and obligations in a new way. For Russia, the main result was that it gained extensive experience in combat operations in confrontation with the leading powers of the continent. It was from the participants in the war that the commanders of Catherine's time came out, who ensured a number of brilliant victories for our country. However, the empire did not make any territorial acquisitions. The new ruler did not declare war on the Prussian king, although she terminated the alliance treaty signed by her husband with him.

Position of the parties

Austria lost the largest number of soldiers in this war. The losses of her main enemy were half as much. There is a point of view that more than two million people died as a result of hostilities. In order to participate in the war, Great Britain intensified the exploitation of its North American colonies. In particular, taxes were raised, all sorts of obstacles were created to the development of industry on the continent, which, in turn, caused a violent outburst of discontent among the colonists, who eventually took up arms, starting a war for independence. Many historians are looking for an answer to the question of what allowed Prussia to finally win, despite the fact that several times its ruler found himself in an extremely difficult situation, which more than once threatened him with final defeat. A number of experts identify the following reasons: disagreement between the allies, the death of the Russian empress and an unexpected turn in foreign policy. However, the most important should be recognized, of course, the first reason. At critical and decisive moments, the allies could not find a common language in any way, which led to disagreement between them, which only played into the hands of the Prussian ruler.

For Prussia itself, the victory was extremely important for both domestic and foreign policy development. After the end of the war, it became one of the leading powers in Europe. This accelerated the process of uniting the fragmented German lands into a single state entity, moreover, under the leadership of this country. Thus, this state became the basis of a new European state - Germany. Thus, we can say that the war was of international importance, since its results and results affected not only the position of European countries, but also the position of colonies on other continents.

The Seven Years' War is one of the saddest events in Russian history. Having achieved great success on the territory of Prussia, the Emperor was replaced in Russia, who did not lay claim to the Prussian lands. It was Peter III, who idolized Frederick II.

The reason for this war (1756-1762) was the aggressive policy of Prussia, which sought to expand its borders. The reason for Russia's entry into the war was the attack of Prussia on Saxony and the capture of the cities of Dresden and Leipzig.

The seven-year war involved Russia, France, Austria, Sweden on one side, Prussia and England on the other. Russia declared war on Prussia on 1.09. 1756

During this protracted war, Russia managed to take part in several major battles, and change three commanders-in-chief of the Russian troops. It is worth noting that at the beginning of the Seven Years' War, King Frederick II of Prussia had the nickname "invincible".

Field Marshal Apraksin, the first commander in chief of the Russian army in the Seven Years' War, had been preparing the army's offensive for almost a year. He occupied the Prussian cities very slowly, the speed of the advance of the Russian troops deep into Prussia left much to be desired. Friedrich was contemptuous of the Russian army and went to fight in the Czech Republic, with his main troops.

The first major battle of the Seven Years' War, with the participation of the Russian army, took place near the village of Gross-Egersdorf. The Russian army consisted of 55 thousand people, who had 100 artillery guns. General Levald attacked the Russian army. The situation was threatening. The situation was corrected by a bayonet attack by several regiments. Apraksin reached the Keninsberg fortress and, standing under its walls, ordered the Russian army to retreat. Apraksin was arrested for his actions, he was charged with treason, he died during one of the interrogations.

General Fermor became the new commander of the Russian army. He moved Russian troops to Prussia, having 60 thousand people at his disposal. In the Battle of Zorndorf, the King of Prussia decided to personally defeat the Russian troops. At night, the Germans went to the rear of the Russian army and deployed artillery on the hills. The Russian army had to deploy the entire front of its attack. The battle was fierce, with varying success. As a result, having lost a lot of strength, the armies dispersed without revealing the winner.

Soon the Russian army was headed by Saltykov, one of the associates. The commander-in-chief suggested joining the Russian army with the Austrian one and suggested moving to Berlin. The Austrians were afraid of the strengthening of Russia and refused such actions. In 1760, the corps of General Chernyshev took Berlin. Prussia suffered a major blow to its prestige.

In 1761, the Russian army again had a new commander-in-chief, Buturlin, who went with the main forces to Silesia. In the north, Rumyantsev was left to storm the fortress of Kolberg. Rumyantsevthe Russian fleet helped very actively. The future great commander also participated in the assault on Kolberg. Soon the fortress was taken.

In the following years, Prussia was on the brink of disaster. The Seven Years' War was to bring Russia great honors and new lands. But everything was decided by chance. Empress Elizabeth died on December 25, 1761, and a great admirer of Frederick ascended the throne. The Seven Years' War was stopped. Now the Russian troops had to clear Prussia of the former allies….

The Seven Years' War is the most spectacular and large-scale military conflict of the 18th century. It began in 1756 and lasted, oddly enough, for 7 years, ending in 1763. An interesting fact is that the countries participating in the conflict were located on all continents known at that time. Australia and Antarctica have not yet been explored.

The main participants in the Seven Years' War

Many states took part in the Seven Years' War, but it is worth highlighting only the main ones that produced the most significant actions:

• Habsburg Austria;
• Prussia;
• France;
• Great Britain;
• Russian empire.

Causes of conflicts

The first prerequisites for war appeared in connection with the unresolved geopolitical problems of Europe. This happened after the War of the Austrian Succession in 1740-1748.

The main reasons for the start of the Seven Years' War were:

1. Contradictions between the French kingdom and Great Britain regarding overseas possessions. That is, the states could not divide the colonies.
2. Austria-Hungary and Germany fought over the Silesian territories.

Formation of coalitions

After the War of Succession of Austria and Europe was divided into two groups of states that contradicted each other:

• The Habsburg coalition, which included:
  • Austria-Hungary;
  • Great Britain;
  • Netherlands;
  • Russia.
• Anti-Habsburg coalition, which included:
  • Germany;
  • France;
  • Saxony.

Such unfriendly relations persisted for a long time, until the mid-1750s. There were only a few changes between the coalitions: the representatives of the Netherlands preferred to remain neutral regarding the coalitions, and Saxony expressed an open unwillingness to wage war, however, retained the alliance with Russia and Austria.

In 1756, the process of the so-called "diplomatic coup" was launched. He was marked the following events:

Throughout January, negotiations took place between Germany and England, which ended with the joint signing of a subsidiary treaty. A distinctive feature of these negotiations was that they were held at a strictly secret level and were not reported on the world stage. The terms of this agreement implied that the military forces of the Prussian kingdom were supposed to protect the possessions of Great Britain, in return they received a banal cash payment.

State, which led to this agreement the English king, this is France. She was the most obvious and dangerous enemy for Britain.

After the announcement of the terms of the subsidiary agreement for the whole world, another political change took place. Two new political groups were formed, whose interests were opposed to each other:

• Austria-Hungary, Russia, French Kingdom;
• Great Britain, Kingdom of Prussia.

These were the obvious and main participants in the Seven Years' War. Of course, many other countries took part in the war, which will be mentioned later, however, these are the main participants.

Events of the Seven Years' War

The main personality of the war was Frederick II the Great of Prussia. It was he who initiated the fighting. In August 1756, Prussian troops invaded the territory of Saxony and began aggressive actions. This marked the beginning of the great war.

Map of the Seven Years' War: The fighting took place on the following continents:

• Europe;
• North America;
• India.

North America

In January 1755, the English king gave the order to start a military policy towards France. The first clash is considered to be the events that took place in the Canadian area in North America, when the troops of England tried to intercept the convoy of the French kingdom. However, the attempt was unsuccessful and the troops collapsed.

As soon as the representatives France learned of this incident, all diplomatic relations between the French and English kings were cut off and the war began officially.

The key events of the action on this continent occurred in 1759 at the Battle of Quebec. This battle ended with the capture of the outpost of France, which was located in Canada. At the same time, Martinique was captured. This is the main center of trade in the West Indies, owned by the French.

Actions in Europe

Strange as it may seem, the main battles unfolded precisely in Europe. It is worth noting that most of the clashes took place against the Prussian king Frederick II. It is noteworthy that the representatives of Great Britain invested their troops in the Seven Years' War the weakest of all. The main investments were in the form of cash.

The rulers of the countries fighting against Prussia made an unforgivable mistake, which led to the complications of the war. The fact is that the German state gave up slack already at the beginning of the battles, however, for some reason, the victory of the allies did not happen:

1. A full-fledged alliance was not formed between the rulers of Austria, France and Russia, which led to a lack of coherence in actions.
2. The commanders-in-chief of Russia did not have the opportunity to take initiative actions, since they were directly dependent on the conference at the Imperial Court.

Key battles unfolding in Europe:

• the battle of Rosbach (November 1757);
• under Zorndorf (1758);
• at Kunersdorf (August 1759);
• the capture of Berlin in October 1760;
• Battle of Freiberg in October 1762.

Quite remarkable is the fact that during the Seven Years' War, Prussia had an excellent opportunity to show its military power, because they were able to resist the three largest states of the continent at once. Among them were Russia, Austria-Hungary and France.

Battles in Asia and their results

The amazing fact that the war even touched this continent. It all started here in 1757, when confrontations broke out between Bengal and England. Initially, upon learning of the outbreak of hostilities in Europe, England declared its neutrality, however, they very quickly began to attack the French.

Since the position of the French kingdom in Asia was not strong, it could not present a proper confrontation and suffered a serious defeat in the territory of India.

Results of the Seven Years' War

So, for seven years on the territory of the three known continents, serious hostilities unfolded between many countries. final years The Seven Years' War is considered to be:

1. February 10, 1762 - Treaty of Paris between England and France.
2. On February 15, 1763, exactly one year after the Treaty of Paris, the representatives of Austria and Prussia were ready for negotiations. In Hubertusburg, a peace treaty was concluded between these states.

The war is finally over, bringing joy to the whole world. People needed to recover from such disastrous hostilities.

Key Findings wars look like this:

This world experience shows all future generations that war is always terrible and bad. It takes the lives of many people, and in the end gives nothing in return. It's very important these days understand this and be able to learn from the mistakes of the past.

Seven Years' War

Prussia's rapid rise aroused general envy and dismay among the European powers. Austria, having lost Silesia in 1734, longed for revenge. France was worried about Frederick II's rapprochement with England. Russian Chancellor Bestuzhev considered Prussia to be the worst and most dangerous enemy of the Russian Empire.

Back in 1755, Bestuzhev was fussing about concluding a so-called subsidized treaty with England. England was to be given gold, and Russia was to send 30-40 thousand troops. This project was destined to remain a project. Bestuzhev, correctly considering the significance of the "Prussian danger" for Russia, at the same time reveals a complete lack of maturity of judgment.

He believes to crush the Prussia of Frederick II "with a corps of 30-40 thousand", and for money he turns to none other than Prussia's ally - England. Under such circumstances, in January 1756, Prussia entered into an alliance with England, the answer to which was the formation of a triple coalition of Austria, France and Russia, joined by Sweden and Saxony.

Austria demanded the return of Silesia, Russia was promised East Prussia (with the right to exchange it from Poland for Courland), Sweden and Saxony were tempted by other Prussian lands: the first - Pomerania, the second - Lusatia. Soon almost all German principalities joined this coalition. The soul of the whole coalition was Austria, which put up the largest army and had the best diplomacy. Austria very cleverly managed to force all her allies, and mainly Russia, to serve her interests.

While the allies shared the skin of an unkilled bear, Frederick, surrounded by enemies, decided not to wait for their blows, but to start on his own. In August 1756, he was the first to open hostilities, taking advantage of the unpreparedness of the allies, invaded Saxony, surrounded the Saxon army in the camp near Pirna and forced it to lay down its arms. Saxony immediately fell out of action, and its captured army almost entirely went over to the Prussian service.

The Russian army campaign was announced in October 1756 and during the winter it was supposed to concentrate in Lithuania. Field Marshal Count Apraksin was appointed commander in chief, placed in the closest dependence on the Conference - an institution borrowed from the Austrians and representing in Russian conditions a worsened edition of the notorious "gofkriegsrat". The members of the Conference were: Chancellor Bestuzhev, Prince Trubetskoy, Field Marshal Buturlin, and the Shuvalov brothers. However, our “Austrophilism” was not limited to this alone, but went much further: the Conference immediately fell entirely under Austrian influence and, commanding an army a thousand miles from Petersburg, it seemed to be guided primarily by observing the interests of the Vienna Cabinet.

In 1757, three main theaters were identified, which then existed throughout the entire Seven Years' War - the Franco-Imperial, the main, or Austrian, and Russian.

Fusilier, chief officer, grenadiers of the Tengin Infantry Regiment, 1732–1756 Colored engraving

The campaign was opened by Frederick, moving at the end of April from different directions - concentrically - to Bohemia. He defeated the Austrian army of Prince Charles of Lorraine near Prague and locked it in Prague. However, the second Austrian army of Daun moved to its rescue, defeating Frederick at Kolin (June). Frederick retreated to Saxony, and by the end of the summer his position became critical. Prussia was surrounded by 300,000 enemies. The king entrusted the defense against Austria to the Duke of Bevern, and he hurried to the West. Having bribed the commander-in-chief of the northern French army, the Duke of Richelieu, and secured his inaction, he, after some hesitation caused by bad news from the East, turned to the southern Franco-imperial army. Frederick II would not have been a Prussian and a German if he had acted in the same honest ways.

With an army of 21,000, he utterly defeated the 64,000 Franco-Imperials of Soubise at Rossbach, and then moved into Silesia, where Bevernsky was meanwhile defeated at Breslau. On December 5, Frederick attacked the Austrians and literally incinerated their army in the famous battle of Leuthen. This is the most brilliant of all Frederick's campaigns; according to Napoleon, for one Leithen he is worthy of being called a great commander.

The Russian army, operating in the secondary East Prussian theater of the war, remained aloof from the main events of the 1757 campaign. Its concentration in Lithuania took the whole winter and spring. There was a great shortage in the troops, which was especially felt in the officers.

We did not go on a trip with a light heart. We were afraid of the Prussians. Since the time of Peter I and, especially, Anna, the German has been a reserved creature for us - a different, higher order, a teacher and a boss. The Prussian, on the other hand, was a German to all Germans. “Frederick, they say, beat the Frenchman himself, and even more Tsars - where can we stand against him with many sinners! ..” So the future winners near Palzig and Kunersdorf argued, kneading the Lithuanian mud with their boots. The nasty Russian habit of always belittling oneself in comparison with a foreigner ... After the first skirmish on the border, where three of our dragoon regiments were overturned by the Prussian hussars, "great timidity, cowardice and fear" took possession of the whole army, which, however, had an effect on the tops much stronger than on bottoms.

By May, the concentration of our army on the Neman was over. There were 89,000 people in it, of which no more than 50-55 thousand “really fighting” were fit for battle, the rest were non-combatants of any kind, or unorganized Kalmyks armed with bows and arrows.

Prussia was defended by the army of Field Marshal Lewald (30,500 regular and up to 10,000 armed inhabitants). Friedrich, busy fighting Austria and France, treated the Russians with disdain:

“Russian barbarians do not deserve to be mentioned here,” he once remarked in one of his letters.

The Russian commander-in-chief depended entirely on the St. Petersburg Conference. He did not have the right to dispose of the troops without a formal “approbation” of the cabinet each time, he did not have the right to take the initiative in the event of a change in the situation, and he had to communicate with St. Petersburg over all sorts of trifles. In the campaign of 1757, the Conference instructed him to maneuver in such a way that for him "it would not matter for him to march straight on Prussia or to the left through all Poland into Silesia." The purpose of the campaign was to capture East Prussia, but Apraksin was not sure until June that part of his army would not be sent to Silesia to reinforce the Austrians.

S. F. Apraksin. Unknown artist

On June 25, Farmer's vanguard captured Memel, which was the signal for the opening of the campaign. Apraksin went with the main forces to Verzhbolovo and Gumbinen, sending the vanguard of General Sibilsky - 6,000 horses, to Friedland to act in the rear of the Prussians. The movement of our army was distinguished by slowness, which is explained by administrative troubles, an abundance of artillery and the fear of the Prussian troops, about which there were whole legends. On July 10, the main forces crossed the border, on the 15th they passed Gumbinen and on the 18th they occupied Insterburg. Sibilsky's cavalry did not live up to the hopes placed on it, as a hundred and fifty years later - in the same places, their detachment of Khan of Nakhichevan would not justify them ... Levald was waiting for the Russians in a strong position across the Alle River, near Velau. Having united with the vanguard - Farmer and Sibilsky, Apraksin moved on August 12 to Allenburg, in a deep bypass of the position of the Prussians. Upon learning of this movement, Lewald hurried to meet the Russians and attacked them at Gross-Egernsdorf on August 19, but was repulsed. Lewald had 22,000 people in this battle, Apraksin had up to 57,000, of which, however, half did not take part in the case. The fate of the battle was decided by Rumyantsev, who seized the infantry of the vanguard and went with it through the forest with hostility. The Prussians did not survive this attack. The trophies of victory were 29 guns and 600 prisoners. The damage of the Prussians - up to 4000, ours - over 6000. This first victory had the most beneficial effect on the troops, showing them that the Prussian is no worse than the Swede and the Turk is running from the Russian bayonet. She made the Prussians think too.

After the Battle of Jagernsdorf, the Prussians withdrew to Weslau. Apraksin moved after them and on August 25 began to bypass their right flank. Lewald did not accept the fight and retreated. The military council assembled by Apraksin decided, in view of the difficulty of supplying the army, to retreat to Tilsit, where to put the economic unit in order. On August 27, the retreat began, carried out very covertly (the Prussians only learned about it on September 4). On the march, it became clear that, due to the complete disorder, it was impossible to go on the offensive that same autumn and it was decided to retreat to Courland. On September 13, Tilsit will be abandoned, and the Russian military council decided to evade battle with Lewald's vanguard despite all our superiority in strength; "Cowardice and fear", of course, was no longer in sight, but the notorious "timidity", apparently, did not have time to completely leave our senior commanders. On September 16, the entire army was withdrawn beyond the Neman. The campaign of 1757 ended in vain due to the extraordinary embarrassment of the actions of the commander-in-chief by cabinet strategists and the disorder of the economic part.

Musketeer headquarters and chief officers of the Life Guards of the Preobrazhensky Regiment, 1762. Colorized engraving

Chief officer and reytar of the Life Guards Horse Regiment, 1732–1742 Colored engraving

Chief officer of the Horse Regiment, 1742–1762 Colored engraving

The conference demanded an immediate transition to the offensive, as our diplomacy promised the Allies. Apraksin refused, was removed from office and put on trial, died from a blow without waiting for the trial. He was treated unfairly, Apraksin did everything that could be done in his place by any chief of average talents and abilities, put in a really impossible position and bound hand and foot by the Conference.

Instead of Apraksin, General Farmer was appointed commander-in-chief - an excellent administrator, a caring boss (Suvorov recalled him as a "second father"), but at the same time he was fussy and indecisive. The farmer took up the organization of the troops and the establishment of the economic part.

Frederick II, dismissive of the Russians, did not even allow the thought that the Russian army would be able to make a winter campaign. He sent the entire army of Lewald to Pomerania against the Swedes, leaving only 6 garrison companies in East Prussia. The farmer knew this, but, not receiving orders, did not move.

In the meantime, the Conference, in order to refute the reprehensible opinions about the combat qualities of the Russian troops that were circulating in Europe through the efforts of the Prussian "gazeters", ordered the Farmer to move to East Prussia on the first snow.

On the first day of January 1758, the columns of Saltykov and Rumyantsev (30,000) crossed the border. On January 11, Koenigsberg was occupied, and then all of East Prussia, turned into a Russian general government. We were acquiring a valuable base for further operations and, as a matter of fact, we had achieved our goal of the war. The Prussian population, sworn into Russian citizenship by Apraksin, did not oppose our troops, while the local authorities were sympathetic to Russia. Having mastered East Prussia, Farmer wanted to move on Danzig, but was stopped by the Conference, which ordered him to wait for the arrival of the Observation Corps, demonstrate together with the Swedes to Küstrin, and then go with the army to Frankfurt. In anticipation of summer time, the Farmer deployed most of the army at Thorn and Posen, not particularly concerned about maintaining the neutrality of the Commonwealth.

On July 2, the army set off for the Franfort, as directed. It numbered 55,000 fighters. The disorder of the Observation Corps, ignorance of the terrain, food shortages, and constant interference by the Conference led to wasted time, lengthy halts and counter marches. All maneuvers were carried out under the cover of Rumyantsev's cavalry of 4,000 sabers, whose actions can be called exemplary.

The military council decided not to get involved in the battle with the Don corps, which had warned us in Frankfurt, and to go to Kustrin to communicate with the Swedes. On August 3, our army approached Kustrin and on the 4th began bombarding it.

Frederick P. himself hurried to the rescue of the threatened Brandenburg. Leaving 40,000 people against the Austrians, he moved to the Oder with 15,000, joined the Don corps and went down the Oder to the Russians. The farmer lifted the siege of Küstrin and retreated to Zorndorf on August 11, where he took up a strong position. For the expulsion of Rumyantsev's division to the crossings across the Oder, in the ranks of the Russian army there were 42,000 people with 240 guns. The Prussians had 33,000 and 116 guns.

Frederick bypassed the Russian position from the rear and forced our army to give him a battle with an inverted front. The bloody battle of Zorndorf on August 14 had no tactical consequences. Both armies "crashed one against the other." Morally, Zorndorf is a Russian victory and a cruel blow to Friedrich. Here, as they say, "I found a scythe on a stone" - and the Prussian king saw that "these people can be killed rather than defeated."

Here he also experienced his first disappointment: the vaunted Prussian infantry, having tasted the Russian bayonet, refused to attack a second time. The honor of this bloody day belongs to Seydlitz's armored men and those old regiments of the iron Russian infantry, on which the gust of their avalanches crashed ... The Russian army had to rebuild the front already under fire. Its right and left flanks were separated by a ravine. Friedrich's detour maneuver pinned our army to the Mitchell River and turned the main advantage of our Zorndorf position into an extreme disadvantage, the river found itself in the rear. On the part of Farmer, who was completely out of control of the battle, not the slightest attempt was made to coordinate the actions of the two disunited masses, and this allowed Frederick to fall first on our right flank, then on our left. In both cases, the Prussian infantry was repulsed and overturned, but, pursuing it, the Russians became upset and fell under the blow of the Prussian cavalry masses. We had almost no cavalry, only 2700, the rest under Rumyantsev. By the end of the battle, the front of the armies made a right angle with the original front, the battlefield and the trophies on it were, as it were, divided in half.

Our loss - 19,500 killed and wounded, 3,000 prisoners, 11 banners, 85 guns - 54 percent of the entire army. Out of 9143 people, only 1687 remained in the ranks of the Observation Corps.

The Prussians - 10,000 killed and wounded, 1,500 prisoners, 10 banners and 26 guns - up to 35 percent of the total. The steadfastness of the Russians, Frederick II, set an example for his own troops, especially the infantry.

By pulling Rumyantsev to him, the Farmer could have resumed the battle with a greater chance of success, but he missed this opportunity. Frederick retreated to Silesia - the Farmer set out to capture the heavily fortified Kolberg in Pomerania. He acted indecisively and at the end of October withdrew the army to winter quarters along the Lower Vistula. The campaign of 1758 - a successful winter and unsuccessful summer campaigns - was generally favorable for Russian weapons.

On the remaining fronts, Friedrich continued active defense, acting along internal lines of operations. At Gohkirch, he was defeated, Daun attacked him at night, but the indecision of Daun, who did not dare to take advantage of his victory, despite the double superiority in forces, rescued the Prussians.

V. V. Farmer. Artist A. P. Antropov

By the opening of the 1759 campaign, the quality of the Prussian army was no longer what it had been in previous years. Many military generals and officers, old and experienced soldiers died. The ranks had to put prisoners and defectors on a par with untrained recruits. Lacking those forces, Frederick decided to abandon his usual initiative in opening the campaign and wait first for the actions of the allies, in order to then maneuver on their messages. Being interested in the short duration of the campaign due to the scarcity of his funds, the Prussian king sought to slow down the start of the Allied operations, and to this end undertook cavalry raids on their rear to destroy stores. In that era of store rations for armies and the "five transition system", the destruction of stores entailed the disruption of the campaign plan. The first raid on the Russian rear in Poznań by small forces in February went well for the Prussians, although it did not cause any particular harm to the Russian army. Rumyantsev vainly pointed out to Farmer, when occupying apartments, all the disadvantages and danger of cordon location. This even caused them to break up. In 1759, Rumyantsev did not receive a position in the active army, but was appointed inspector of the rear, from where Saltykov was already requested to join the army. Another raid into the rear of the Austrians in April was much more successful, and the Austrian headquarters were so frightened by it that they abandoned all active operations during the spring and early summer.

Meanwhile, the St. Petersburg Conference, finally falling under the influence of Austria, developed a plan of operations for 1759, according to which the Russian army became auxiliary to the Austrian. It was supposed to be brought up to 120,000, of which 90,000 should be sent to join the Tsesars, and 30,000 left on the Lower Vistula.

At the same time, the commander-in-chief did not indicate at all where exactly to connect with the Austrians and what to be guided by when performing operations “upstream or downstream of the Oder”.

It was not possible to complete the army even up to half of what was expected - due to the insistent demands of the Austrians, they had to set out on a campaign before the arrival of reinforcements. At the end of May, the army marched from Bromberg to Posen and, moving slowly, arrived there only on the 20th of June. Here the rescript of the Conference was received, appointing Count Saltykov as commander-in-chief, the Farmer received one of 3 divisions. Saltykov was instructed to link up with the Austrians at a point where these latter wished, then he was ordered, "without obeying Daun, to listen to his advice" - by no means sacrificing the army for the sake of Austrian interests - and, to top it all, not to engage in battle with superior forces.

Frederick II, confident in Daun's passivity, transferred 30,000 from the "Austrian" front to the "Russian" one - and decided to defeat the Russians before joining them with the Austrians. The Prussians acted sluggishly and missed an opportunity to break the Russian army in parts.

Not embarrassed by the presence of this strong enemy mass on his left flank, Saltykov moved on July 6 from Poznan in a southerly direction - to Karolat and Crossen to join the Austrians there. He had under his command up to 40,000 combatants. The Russian army brilliantly made an extremely risky and courageous flanking march, and Saltykov took measures in case the army was cut off from its base - Poznan.

P. S. Saltykov. Engraving

The Prussians hurried after Saltykov to get ahead of him at Crossen. On July 12, in the battle of Palzig, they were defeated and driven back beyond the Oder - under the walls of the Krossen fortress. In the battle of Palzig, 40,000 Russians with 186 guns fought 28,000 Prussians. Against the linear battle order of the latter, Saltykov used separation in depth and the game of reserves, which gave us victory, which, unfortunately, was not brought to the complete destruction of the Prussians by a sufficiently energetic pursuit of the enemy.

Our damage is 894 killed, 3897 wounded. The Prussians lost 9,000 people: 7,500 retired in battle and 1,500 deserted. In fact, their damage was much more significant, and it can be assumed not less than 12,000, the Russians buried 4,228 bodies alone killed Prussians. 600 prisoners, 7 banners and standards, 14 guns were taken.

All this time, Down was inactive. The Austrian commander-in-chief based his plans on Russian blood. Fearing to engage in battle with Frederick, despite his double superiority in strength, Daun sought to bring the Russians under the first fire and draw them to him - deep into Silesia. But Saltykov, who had managed to "bite" his Austrian colleague, did not succumb to this "strategy", but decided after the Palzig victory to move on Frankfurt and threaten Berlin.

This movement of Saltykov equally alarmed both Friedrich and Daun. The Prussian king feared for his capital, the Austrian commander-in-chief did not want a victory won by the Russians alone without the participation of the Austrians (which could have important political consequences). Therefore, while Frederick was concentrating his army in the Berlin region, Daun, "carefully guarding" the weak Prussian barrier left against him, moved Laudon's corps to Frankfurt, ordering him to warn the Russians there and profit from the indemnity. This ingenious calculation did not materialize: the Franfort was already occupied by the Russians on July 19.

Having captured Frankfurt, Saltykov intended to move Rumyantsev with cavalry to Berlin, but the appearance of Friedrich there forced him to abandon this plan. In connection with Laudon, he had 58,000 men, with whom he took up a strong position at Kunersdorf.

Against the 50,000 Prussians of Friedrich in the Berlin region, three masses of allies concentrated in this way: from the east, 58,000 soldiers of Saltykov, 80 versts from Berlin; from the south 65,000 Daun, 150 versts; from the west, 30,000 imperials, 100 versts away, Frederick decided to get out of this unbearable situation by attacking with all his forces the most dangerous enemy, the enemy who advanced most forward, the most brave and skillful, moreover, who did not have the habit of evading battle, in short - the Russians.

Reiter of the Horse Regiment, 1742–1762 Colored engraving

On August 1, he fell on Saltykov and in the fierce battle that took place at the Kunersdorf position - the famous "Franfort battle" - was utterly defeated, losing two-thirds of his army and all artillery. Friedrich intended to bypass the Russian army from the rear, as under Zorndorf, but Saltykov was not a Farmer: he immediately turned the front around. The Russian army was heavily echeloned in depth on a relatively narrow front. Friedrich shot down the first two lines, capturing up to 70 guns, but his attack bogged down, and Seydlitz's cavalry died, untimely rushing to the undisrupted Russian infantry. Having launched a crushing counteroffensive to the front and flank, the Russians overturned Frederick's army, and Rumyantsev's cavalry completely finished off the Prussians, who fled wherever they could. Of the 48,000 people, the king failed to collect even a tenth immediately after the battle! The Prussians show their final damage at 20,000 in the battle itself and over 2,000 deserters when fleeing. In fact, their loss should be at least 30,000. We buried 7,627 Prussian corpses on the site, took over 4,500 prisoners, 29 banners and standards, and all 172 guns that were in the Prussian army. Russian damage - up to 13,500 people (a third of the troops): 2614 killed, 10,863 wounded. In the Austrian corps of Laudon, about 2,500 lost. In total, the Allies lost 16,000 people. The despair of Frederick II is best expressed in his letter to one of his childhood friends, written the next day: “From an army of 48,000, I don’t have even 3,000 left at this moment. Everything is running, and I no longer have power over the army ... In Berlin they will do well if they think about their safety. A cruel misfortune, I will not survive it. The consequences of the battle will be even worse than the battle itself: I have no more means, and, to tell the truth, I consider everything lost. I will not survive the loss of my fatherland. Do not see you again". The pursuit was short-lived; Saltykov had no more than 23,000 men left after the battle, and he could not reap the fruits of his brilliant victory.

Down, devoured by envy of Saltykov, did nothing on his part to relieve him, but with idle "advice" he only annoyed the Russian commander in chief.

Frederick II came to his senses after Kunersdorf, gave up thoughts of suicide and again assumed the title of commander in chief (which he resigned from himself in the evening of the "Franfort battle"); On August 18, near Berlin, Friedrich already had 33,000 people and he could calmly look at the future. Daun's inaction saved Prussia.

The Austrian commander-in-chief persuaded Saltykov to move to Silesia for a joint offensive against Berlin, but one raid by the Prussian hussars to the rear was enough for Daun's hasty retreat to his original position ... He did not prepare the promised allowance for the Russians.

The indignant Saltykov decided to act independently and headed for the Glogau fortress, but Friedrich, having foreseen his intention, moved parallel to Saltykov in order to warn him. Both had 24,000 soldiers each, and Saltykov decided not to get involved in the battle this time: he considered it inappropriate to risk these troops 500 miles from his base. Friedrich, remembering Kunersdorf, did not insist on a battle. On September 14, the opponents dispersed, and on the 19th, Saltykov retreated to winter quarters on the Varta River. The winner at Kunersdorf, who received the field marshal's baton, had the civic courage to prefer the interests of Russia to the interests of Austria and reject the demand of the Conference, which insisted on wintering in Silesia together with the Austrians and the outfit of 20-30 thousand Russian infantry in the Laudon corps. Having already arrived at the Warta, Saltykov, at the insistence of the Austrians, showed the appearance that he was returning to Prussia. By this, he saved the valiant Daun and his eighty thousandth army from the Prussian offensive, which the Caesar commander imagined.

Officer and Sergeant of the Life Company, 1742–1762 Colored engraving

The campaign of 1759 could decide the fate of the Seven Years' War, and with it the fate of Prussia. Fortunately for Frederick, he had opponents, in addition to the Russians, also the Austrians.

In the campaign of 1760, Saltykov planned to capture Danzig, Kolberg and Pomerania, and from there to act on Berlin. But the “home-grown Austrians” at their Conference decided otherwise and again sent the Russian army “on errands” to the Austrians in Silesia - everyone equaled the winners at Kunersdorf with the losers at Leuthen! At the same time, Saltykov was also instructed to "make an attempt" to master Kolberg - to act in two diametrically opposite operational directions. Saltykov's position was further complicated by the fact that the Austrians did not inform him of either Frederick's movements or their own. At the end of June, Saltykov, with 60,000 and a supply of provisions for 2 months, set out from Poznan and slowly moved towards Breslau, where, in the meantime, the Austrians of Laudon also headed. However, the Prussians forced Laudon to retreat from Breslau, and Frederick II, who arrived in Silesia, defeated him (August 4) at Liegnitz. Frederick II, with 30,000, arrived from Saxony on a forced march, having traveled 280 miles in 5 days (an army crossing - 56 miles). The Austrians demanded the transfer of Chernyshev's corps to the left bank of the Oder - into the mouth of the enemy, but Saltykov opposed this and retreated to Gernstadt, where the army stood until September 2. At the end of August, Saltykov fell dangerously ill and handed over his superiors to Farmer, who first tried to besiege Glogau, and then on September 10 withdrew the army near Crossen, deciding to act according to circumstances. The following fact perfectly characterizes the Farmer. Laudon asked for his help in the proposed siege of Glogau.

The farmer, who did not take a step without the permission of the Conference, notified St. Petersburg about this. While relations and relations were being written back and forth for 1,500 miles, Laudon changed his mind and decided not to besiege Glogau, but Kempen, about which he informed the Farmer. In the meantime, a rescript of the Conference was obtained, authorizing traffic on the Glogau. The farmer, a too well-disciplined commander, moved on Glogau, despite the fact that this movement, due to the changed situation, lost all meaning. Going to the fortress, the Farmer saw that it was impossible to take it without siege artillery. Chernyshev's corps, with Totleben's cavalry and Krasnoshchekov's Cossacks, totaling 23,000, half cavalry, was sent to raid Berlin.

Officer of the Musketeer Prince Wilhelm Regiment, 1762. Colorized engraving

Guards Grenadier Officer. Engraving

Oboe player, flute player and drummer of the Musketeer Regiment, 1756–1761 Colored engraving

The capture of the Kolberg fortress during the Seven Years' War. Artist A. Kotzebue

Flayer of the Life Guards of the Preobrazhensky Regiment, 1763–1786 Engraving

On September 23, Totleben attacked Berlin, but was repulsed, and on the 28th Berlin surrendered. In addition to 23,000 Russians, 14,000 Lassi Austrians participated in the raid on Berlin. The capital was defended by 14,000 Prussians, of whom 4,000 were taken prisoner. The mint, the arsenal were destroyed and the indemnity was taken. The Prussian "newspapers", who, as we have seen, wrote all sorts of libels and fables about Russia and the Russian army, were duly flogged. This event hardly made them special Russophiles, but it is one of the most comforting episodes in our history. After spending four days in the enemy's capital, Chernyshev and Totleben withdrew from there as Frederick approached. The raid had no important results.

When the impossibility of any productive cooperation with the Austrians became clear, the Conference returned to Saltykov's original plan and ordered Farmer to seize Kolberg in Pomerania. Busy with organizing a raid on Berlin, Farmer moved Olitz's division under Kolberg. The new commander-in-chief, Field Marshal Buturlin, who arrived in the army (Saltykov was still ill), lifted the siege of Kolberg in view of the late season and in October led the entire army to winter quarters along the Lower Vistula. The campaign of 1760 did not bring results ...

In 1761, following the example of a number of past campaigns, the Russian army was moved to Silesia to the Austrians.

From Thorn, she went on her usual way to Posen and Breslau, but at this last point she was forestalled by Frederick. Passing by Breslavl, Buturlin contacted Laudon. The entire campaign took place in marches and maneuvers. On the night of August 29, Buturlin decided to attack Frederick near Gochkirchen, but the Prussian king, not relying on his own strength, evaded the battle. In September, Frederick II moved to the messages of the Austrians, but the Russians, quickly connecting with these latter, prevented him and forced Frederick to retreat to the fortified camp at Bunzelwitz. Then Buturlin, reinforcing Laudon with Chernyshev's corps, withdrew to Pomerania. On September 21, Laudon took Schweidnitz by storm, with the Russians especially distinguished themselves, and soon after both sides took up winter quarters. During the assault on Schweidnitz, 2 Russian battalions were the first to climb the ramparts, then opened the gates to the Austrians and stood in perfect order with a gun at their feet on the ramparts, while at their feet the Austrians indulged in revelry and robbery. The Allies lost 1,400 men. 2600 Prussians surrendered with 240 guns, 1400 were killed.

Rumyantsev's corps, operating separately from the main army, approached Kolberg on August 5 and laid siege to it. The fortress turned out to be strong, and the siege, conducted with the help of the fleet, lasted four months, accompanied at the same time by actions against the Prussian partisans in the rear of the siege corps. Only Rumyantsev's indomitable energy made it possible to bring the siege to an end - the military council convened three times called for a retreat. Finally, on December 5, Kolberg surrendered, 5,000 prisoners, 20 banners, 173 guns were taken, and this was the last feat of the Russian army in the Seven Years' War.

The report on the surrender of Kolberg found Empress Elizabeth on her deathbed ... Emperor Peter III, who ascended the throne - an ardent admirer of Frederick - immediately stopped hostilities with Prussia, returned to her all the conquered areas (East Prussia was under Russian citizenship for 4 years) and ordered Chernyshev's corps to be under Prussian army. During the campaign of 1762, in the spring, Chernyshev's corps raided Bohemia and regularly cut down yesterday's Austrian allies, for whom the Russians at all times - and then especially - had contempt. When in early July Chernyshev was ordered to return to Russia, where a coup had taken place at that time, Friedrich begged him to stay for another "three days" - until the battle, which he gave on July 10 at Burkersdorf. The Russians did not participate in this battle, but by their very presence they greatly frightened the Austrians, who still did not know anything about the events in St. Petersburg.

So sadly and unexpectedly ended for us the Seven Years' War, which glorified Russian weapons.

Officer of the Grenadier Prince Wilhelm Regiment, 1762. Colorized engraving

The war with Russia is the kind of war where you know how to start, but you don’t know how it will end.