Battle of Hastenbeck

NOTE: this is still work in progress

The Battle of Hastenbeck took place during the Seven Years' War on July 26, 1757, near the village of Hastenbeck. The French which were allied with Austria, Russia, Sweden and Saxony invaded Germany in April 1757 with two armies, altogether about 100,000 soldiers. The French hoped to draw the attention of Prussia, which was allied with England and Hanover, away from the Bohemian theatre were Prussia and Austria fought several battles (Battle of Lobositz, Battle of Prag, Battle of Kolin?).

One French army under command of Prince de Soubise marched through central Germany. They joined the so called "Reichsarmee" commanded by Prinz von Hildburghausen. This coaltion army later met an Prussian army at the Battle of Rossbach on November 5 1757 with disaster.

The other French army commanded by Maréchal d'Estrées consisted of about 50.000 men infantry, 10.000 men cavalry and 68 canons. The army advanced towards the Electorate of Hanover. Prussia was heavily involved with its enemies Austria, Russia and Sweden and therefore was not able to help on the west front. This task was given to the the Hanoverian Army of Observation which only had little support from Prussia, namely six Prussian battalions. The main part of the "Hanoverian Army of Observation" came from Hannover (about 60%) and Hesse (about 25%), smaller additional forces from Brunswick and Prussia. The total strength of the Hanoverian Army of Observation was about 40.000 men (note: the sources differ here between 36.000 and 47.000). The army was commanded by Wilhelm August the Duke of Cumberland who was a son of King George II of England.

The French army defeated the

treatey / convention of Zeven

Hastenbeck completely destroyed