Raid on Berlin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Raid on Berlin |
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| Part of the Third Silesian War (Seven Years' War) | |||||||
 Russians and Austrians devastate the arsenal in Berlin, October 1760 |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Prussia |
 Russia Austria |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Friedrich Wilhelm von Seydlitz Frederick II Eugene, Duke of Württemberg Johann Dietrich von Hülsen |
Zakhar Chernyshev Gottlieb Heinrich Totleben Count von Lacy |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 18,000 |
35,000
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The Raid on Berlin happened in October 1760. During this time, forces from Austria and Russia took over Berlin, the capital city of Prussia, for a few days. This event was part of the Third Silesian War, which was itself a bigger part of the Seven Years' War.
After the invaders collected money from the city, and as more Prussian soldiers got closer, the Austrian and Russian forces left Berlin. Later, there were questions about whether the Russian commander, Count Tottleben, had been paid by the Prussians to protect the city. He was later accused of helping the Prussians.
A famous Russian general, Alexander Suvorov, who would later become a generalissimo, also took part in this raid.
Contents
Why Did the Raid Happen?
After winning some battles against Prussia in 1759, the next year was not as good for the Allies (Austria and Russia). Their plan to invade Silesia had stopped, even though they had many more soldiers. They had also lost a battle in August 1760.
However, Berlin, the capital of Prussia, was left open to attack. This happened because the Prussian king, Frederick the Great, had moved most of his soldiers to Silesia. France then suggested that Russia could make a quick attack on Berlin.
A smaller Austrian raid had briefly taken over Berlin in October 1757. The Allies planned to pretend to attack Guben with their main army. This would allow a smaller force, led by Heinrich Tottleben, to quickly go north and attack Berlin. Another Austrian force, led by Count von Lacy, would follow them. Many cossacks and fast-moving cavalry (soldiers on horseback) were part of the raid to make it even quicker.
Taking Over Berlin
The Attack Begins
On October 5, Tottleben led about 5,600 Russian soldiers. They crossed the River Oder and tried to surprise Berlin and take it quickly. But their surprise attack failed because the city fought back more than they expected.
The city's governor, General Hans Friedrich von Rochow, wanted to leave because of the Russian threat. But the Prussian cavalry leader, Friedrich Wilhelm von Seydlitz, who was recovering from injuries in the city, gathered the 2,000 defenders. They managed to push the Russians back from the city gates.
More Soldiers Arrive
When he heard about the danger to Berlin, Prince Eugene of Württemberg brought his troops back. They had been fighting the Swedes in Pomerania. Also, soldiers from Saxony arrived. This made the number of defenders grow to about 18,000.
However, when Lacy's Austrian soldiers arrived, the Allies had more power. The Austrians took over Potsdam and Charlottenburg. Because the enemy had so many more soldiers, the Prussian defenders left Berlin and went to nearby Spandau.
Inside the City
On October 9, the city council decided to officially surrender Berlin to the Russians. They chose the Russians instead of the Austrians because Austria was Prussia's biggest enemy. The Russians immediately demanded 4 million Thalers (a type of money) to protect private property.
A well-known merchant named Johann Ernst Gotzkowsky handled the talks for Berlin. He was able to convince Tottleben to lower the amount to 1.5 million Thalers. Meanwhile, the Austrians had forced their way into the city and taken over large parts of it.
The Austrians wanted to get revenge on Berlin. This was because of how the Prussians had behaved in occupied Saxony and Austrian lands. The Russians, led by First Major John O'Rourke, wanted to improve their international image. They generally acted with more control and showed more respect to the people living there.
Still, some parts of the city were looted by the invaders. Several royal palaces were burned. About 18,000 muskets (guns) and 143 cannons were taken. Austrian and Russian battle flags that had been captured earlier were taken back. About 1,200 prisoners of war were set free.
Frederick was especially worried about the paintings and books in his palace. One of his agents told him that the Russians had taken some items. But the wall paintings and gold decorations were fine, and only a few marble statues had been knocked over. The Austrians took about 130 young cadets, aged eleven and twelve, from the military school. They held them in Koenigsberg until the war ended. The troops also destroyed parts of the metal factory.
Leaving Berlin
A rumor spread that Frederick the Great was coming to save Berlin with his strong army. This made the commanders decide to leave the city. They had already achieved their main goals. The invaders left Berlin on October 12. The different groups of soldiers went in separate directions. The Austrians under Lacy went towards Saxony, while the Russians rejoined their main army near Frankfurt.
Once Frederick realized that the enemy had left Berlin, he stopped his rescue mission. He turned back to focus on Silesia and Saxony instead.
What Happened Next?
Frederick was very angry that his local forces and the people of Berlin did not fight back more against the invaders. However, even though Prussia lost some respect, the raid was not a huge military event.
After the occupation, the Prussians, led by Frederick, fought and just barely won the Battle of Torgau. Tottleben was later accused of helping the Prussians. He was sentenced to death, but Catherine the Great later pardoned him.
In early 1762, Berlin faced the threat of being taken over more permanently. But Frederick was saved by something called the Miracle of the House of Brandenburg.
Later, in 1806, Berlin was captured by French forces during the Napoleonic Wars. French soldiers then occupied the city until 1813.
See also
