Siege of Küstrin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Siege of Küstrin
Part of the Seven Years' War
Date 15–24 August 1758 Location Küstrin, Brandenburg Result Prussian victory
Belligerents
Prussia	Russia
Commanders and leaders
Schack von Wittenau	William Fermor
Strength
75 guns	Unknown
Casualties and losses
318 houses destroyed	11 killed, 36 wounded

The Siege of Küstrin was an important event during the Seven Years' War (1756-1763). It happened in 1758 when the Russian army attacked the fortified town of Küstrin. This town was part of Prussia at the time. Today, Küstrin is known as Kostrzyn nad Odrą and is located in Poland.

What Was the Siege of Küstrin?

A siege is when an army surrounds a town or fortress. They try to cut off supplies and attack until the people inside surrender. The Siege of Küstrin was a short but fierce attack by the Russian army. It lasted for about nine days in August 1758.

Why Was Küstrin Important?

Küstrin was a very important town for Prussia. It was a strong fortress located on the Oder River. This made it a key point for controlling trade and movement in the region. It also had a large supply depot, which stored food and weapons for the Prussian army.

Who Fought in the Siege?

The main groups fighting were the Prussian army and the Russian army. The Prussians were defending their town. The Russians were trying to capture it.

The Russian Attack

The Russian army, led by General William Fermor, arrived at Küstrin on August 15, 1758. They brought many cannons and began to bombard the town. This means they fired cannonballs at the town walls and buildings. The goal was to force the Prussians to give up.

The Russian bombardment was very strong. It caused a lot of damage to the town. Many houses were destroyed, and fires broke out. The people living in Küstrin suffered greatly during this time.

The Prussian Defense

Inside Küstrin, the Prussian forces were led by Schack von Wittenau. They had about 75 guns to defend the town. Despite the heavy attack, the Prussians fought bravely. They tried to put out fires and keep the Russians from breaking through the walls.

What Happened After the Siege?

The siege ended on August 24, 1758. The Russian army stopped their attack and moved away. This was because the main Prussian army, led by King Frederick the Great, was getting close. The Prussians considered this a victory because Küstrin did not fall.

However, the town of Küstrin was left in ruins. Many buildings were destroyed. This destruction made the Prussians very angry at the Russian army. It showed how brutal warfare could be, even if the attackers didn't mean to cause so much damage. Other towns, like Zittau and Dresden, also suffered similar destruction during the Seven Years' War.