Battle of Schweinschädel

Custozza - Chicken Creek - Podol - Nachod - Trautenau - Langensalza - Skalitz - Miinchengratz - Gitschin - Koniginhof - Pig Skull - Hradec Kralove - Dermbach - Kissingen - Main campaign - Frohnhofen - Aschaffenburg - Lissa - Bezzecca - Blumenau - Dog Home - Tauberbischofsheim - Werbach - Helmet City - Gerchsheim - Uettingen / Roßbrunn

The Battle of pig skull was held on June 29, 1866 during the German war between Prussia and Austria. The Fourth Army Corps of the Austrian army under Field Marshal Lieutenant Tassilo Festetics tried to stop the advance of the Prussian army under Crown Prince Frederick II, but was it beaten by the Fifth Army Corps under General of the Infantry of stonemason and had to withdraw.

Starting position

The three Prussian armies had marched from different sides and through the Giant Mountains separated into Bohemia. During the Prussian Chief of Staff Moltke wanted to achieve the union of its armies, tried the Austrian Supreme Commander General Benedek, exploit his supposed advantage of interior lines, to unite with the Saxon army and beat the first army under Frederick Charles separated from the other armies. After the battle of Skalitz but the second army had arrived in the back of the Austrian army, and this required a fundamental rearrangement by Benedek.

On June 29, 1866 Benedek planned a retreat towards Hradec Kralove, to ensure this, Festetics should stay with his IV Corps, the second army. While part should face in Koniginhof against the Prussian Guard Corps, another part should delay Steinmetz rise.

Advance on Schweinschadel

Reconnaissance patrols of the Austrians were on 29 June 1866 that the Guards were still in Praussnitz and the V Corps at Skalitz. The VI. Army corps under Louis von Mutius was still behind on the way over Nachod, his first brigade was initially assigned to the V Corps. Steinmetz had his troops to march through the mountains and two heavy fighting grant a break and only broke at around 14:00 clock. To this end he issued marching orders following:

" The Vth Corps with the detachment of Major-General von Hoffmann will continue today the march on Gradlitz. The avant-garde ( under special command of Lieutenant-General of Kirchbach ) breaks by 2 clock on the afternoon goes on Zlic on the Upa after Ratiboritz, from then on Westec and Westernec to tour kidney the left wing of the enemy's outposts behind the Trebesnow - Miskoles section, clarifies the right flank at the same time the terrain against Horicka on and win the street Chawalkowic - Gradlitz. The bulk of the Reserve Artillery and General von Hoffmann follow the Lieutenant General of Kirchbach. "

Battle

For this advance out the first artillery battles with the established in pigs skull Austrian batteries developed. Although he should lead no fight with superior enemy forces, but should reach only a delay, but Festetics wanted his position is not clear without a fight, so as not to weaken the morale of his troops, and the batteries were in position and be fired for attack transforming Prussia.

The first attacks the Prussians brought these into to the village pig skull, where she worked with the rapid-fire breech-loading their taught the Austrians significant losses during the counterattacks. In support of the attack five Prussian batteries had ascended who supported the advance of the infantry. When the Prussian regiments invaded the place and the Austrian brigades had to retreat, leaving part of the Grenadier Regiment No. 6 back in place and entrenched himself in the massive dairy. This unit over extended time resistance, but was it almost completely wiped out or went into captivity.

Steinmetz was further attack but then cancel when his regiment went out over the town, and the Prussian regiments retreated to the place. From here, then the march towards Gradlitz was continued.

After termination of the conflict, it Festetics pulled back over the Upa and was able to successfully break away from his pursuers.

Losses

The Prussians lost 15 officers, 379 soldiers and 15 horses, of which 8 officers and 77 soldiers have died; however, the Austrians 39 officers, 1411 soldiers ( of which 320 are captured ) and 90 horses. Of the 120 prisoners were not wounded. The heaviest losses had the regiment No. 37 with 1026 men.