In the Battle of Leuthen, fought on December 5, 1757, Frederick the Great's Prussian army uses maneuver and terrain to decisively defeat a much larger Austrian army under Charles of Lorraine, thus ensuring Prussian control of Silesia during the Seven Years' War.
The battle is fought at the Siliesian town of Leuthen, ten kilometers (six miles) northwest of Breslau.
By exploiting the training of his troops and his superior knowledge of the terrain, Frederick deploys his small army in the oblique maneuver; he completely baffles Prince Charles and destroys the Austrian force, erasing any advantage the Austrians have gained throughout the summer and fall of campaigning.
