Eutsch: April 1756

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Frederick's failure to smash the Austrians at Dresden left him in a quandary. News had reached him that the great fortress of Magdeburg was in imminent danger of falling to the French. He could follow up Daun's retreating Austrian army in the hope of finishing it off but by doing so he would condemn Magdeburg to almost certain surrender. He would have to act quickly if he was to save it.

Accordingly, on the day after Dresden the King marched off north-westward towards Magdeburg. En route he learned that the French Army of the Rhine was busily shepherding the small Prussian corps of Anhalt Dessau northwards away from the French lines of communication at Weissenfels. Anhalt Dessau established himself at Wittenberg, safe behind the River Elbe, whilst the French, under the Duc de Boisvert, hurriedly made shift to defend themselves against the advancing Prussians.

The position chosen was either side of the small town of Eutsch, some three or four miles south of Wittenberg. Boisvert had hurriedly thrown up earthworks to the east and west of the town, which was garrisoned by one brigade, whilst the remainder of his infantry held the line of a small stream, the Eutscherbach. The bulk of his cavalry, some twenty four squadrons, was massed on his left flank, just beyond the bend in the stream.

Battle of Eutsch
SYW Campaign