Two rival powers
Prussia and Austria fight for predominance in Germany. Prussian successes in June bring the armies towards Benedek’s position near Königgrätz.
Battle
Sadowa
3 July 1866
The capture of Chlum turns a battle still stalled before the heights.
Military history
Why does the Second Army’s arrival at Chlum change a battle the Prussians cannot win by frontal attack?
On 3 July 1866, the Prussians attack an Austrian position protected by the Bistritz, woods and powerful artillery. Their First Army remains stalled before the heights for a long time. To the north, the Crown Prince’s Second Army approaches in the rain. Its Guard reaches Chlum behind part of the defenders: Benedek must retake the village or abandon his position. Resistance by the reserves, cavalry and batteries allows a substantial part of his army to withdraw.
An order sent during the night
The Crown Prince receives orders to support the First Army. On 3 July his columns must still march over sodden roads; their arrival on the battlefield is not assured.
A strong front, two exposed flanks
Austrian batteries dominate the western approaches. But the Army of the Elbe advances from the southwest, while the Prussian arrival from the north threatens the rear of defenders engaged in the woods.
Military history
Sources
Published command diaryFrédéric, Diaries of the Emperor Frederick
Entrées des 2–3 juillet 1866, pp. 33–52 : ordre nocturne, marche, Horenowes, Chlum et renforts.
Arrival of the Second Army, incomplete information and resistance at Chlum; rumours and immediate figures are not adopted.
View ↗Contemporary military accountH. M. Hozier, The Seven Weeks’ War
Livre VII, ch. II, pp. 235–253 : positions, Bistritz, bois, armée de l’Elbe, Chlum et couverture du repli.
Tactical sequence; timings compared and national judgments not reused.
View ↗Historical map held in a libraryKarte des Schlachtfeldes von Königgrätz, Vienne, 1866, deuxième édition
ULB Darmstadt, K5453_1, plan au 1:50 000, image complète examinée ; positions de midi et directions de marche.
Relationships among the Bistritz, Swiep, Horenowes, Chlum, Problus and the Elbe; not a metric reconstruction of routes.
View ↗Contemporary archival documentÖsterreichisches Staatsarchiv, télégramme sur la défaite de Königgrätz
Document 46, Holitz, 3 juillet 1866 ; AT-OeStA/KA AhOB MKSM HR Akten 343, transcription « Die Niederlage von Königgrätz ».
Chlum occupied, flank and rear threatened, retreat disorganized and regrouping attempted.
View ↗Military history institute synthesisVHÚ Praha, 150. výročí bitvy u Hradce Králové
Pages imprimées 38–39 : bataille du 3 juillet, engagement des IIe/IVe corps, réserves et retraite.
Modern check on the Imperial right’s commitment and the phase distinctions; timings are not fixed.
View ↗Historical museum synthesisDeutsches Historisches Museum, LeMO : Königgrätz 1866
Paragraphes de la bataille, des pertes, de la poursuite en Moravie et de la conclusion de la guerre.
Orders of magnitude and consequences, without confusing total casualties with deaths.
View ↗Military collection recordVHÚ Praha, Pruská pěchotní puška vzor 1841
Paragraphes sur la culasse, les variantes et la comparaison balistique avec le Lorenz.
Rear-loading, firing rate and technical limitations; the silhouette remains illustrative.
View ↗Military collection recordVHÚ Praha, Rakouská pěchotní puška vzor 1854/II
Paragraphes sur le chargement par la bouche et la construction du Lorenz.
Distinguishes Austrian equipment from the Dreyse without identifying the exact model used by each regiment.
View ↗