Battle of Zorndorf

Battle of Zorndorf

Date	25 August 1758
Location	Zorndorf, Margraviate of Brandenburg (now Sarbinowo, Poland)
Result	Tactically inconclusive

Belligerents

Prussia

Russia

Commanders and leaders

Frederick the Great

Count William Fermor

Strength

36,000
167 guns

43,500
210 guns

Casualties and losses

12,800 & 26 cannon

18,000 men
103 cannon (Prussian claim; 30 in Russian sources)
27 flags

The Battle of Zorndorf was a battle fought on August 25, 1758 during the Seven Years' War, fought between the forces of the Russians troops under the command of Count William Fermor and a Prussian army under King Frederick the Great. The battle was tactically inconclusive, with both armies holding the ground and claiming victory. The site of the battle was the Prussian village Zorndorf (now Sarbinowo, Poland).

After the victory at Kolín, having pushed the Prussians out of Bohemia in the summer of 1757, and the cleverly waged campaign in the autumn that saw Lieutenant-General the Duke of Bevern's Prussians defeated at the Battle of Breslau (22 November 1757), Empress Maria Theresa of Austria believed her fortunes were taking a turn for the better; however, the situation soon changed when Frederick defeated, first. the French at Rossbach and, then, the Austrians at Leuthen. In August 1758, Austria's ally Russia invaded East Prussia with 43,000 troops under William Fermor advanced within 100 km (62 mi) of Berlin, and were poised to join the Austrians under Field Marshal Daun. The king, Frederick II of Prussia, understood that the joining of his enemies would spell the fall of Berlin and, deciding to forestall their plans, moved to the Russian rear. Fermor, who was then besieging Küstrin, learned about this maneuver from a Cossack sortie. He lifted the siege and occupied a position at Zorndorf, 10 km (6 mi) northeast of Küstrin.

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