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Frederick the Great versus Charles of Lorraine: An Austrian army under Charles thinks a Prussian army under Frederick has fled after seeing their superior numbers and position. Where has Frederick actually lead his army and how will Charles counter?
It can be argued that this battle is not a true masterpiece because Frederick suffered more casualties than his small army was able to take. This argument is based too much on the casualty percentage figures and too little on the events of the battle itself. Frederick achieved complete surprise by feinting an attack on one side of the Austrian line, appearing to retreat and then smashing the other side of the Austrian line. While this maneuver was decisive in its effect, the ferocity of the battle after this point, attests to the odds Frederick had to overcome to defeat Charles’ army.
This was only the third animation I completed and required the most time of any. After animating two relatively simple ancient battles, I aimed to animate something more advanced and Leuthen was it. It was even more difficult because certain effects I now use with ease were still being developed. Looking back at this animation, I am very dissatisfied with the quality and detail of the terrain. Sometimes I also think I animated the wrong Frederick battle because I have received consistent requests to animate Rossbach, the similar but more significant masterpiece.
Goodenough, Simon. Tactical Genius in Battle. Oxford: Phodian Press, 1979.
Austrian artillery: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/20483/20483-h/20483-h.htm
Charles of Lorraine: http://www.answers.com/topic/prince-charles-alexander-of-lorraine
Frederick the Great: http://ualr.edu/sbhunziker/Germany1/Lectures/Lecture18.html
Map of Europe: http://maxushistory.weebly.com/seven-years-war.html
Map of the world: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_map_projections
Prussian artillery: http://napoleonistyka.atspace.com/Prussian_artillery_Napoleon.htm
Prussian cavalry: http://napoleonistyka.atspace.com/Heilsberg_battle.htm
Prussian infantry: http://napoleonistyka.atspace.com/Prussian_army.htm
If you enjoyed the Battle of Leuthen 1757 battle animation, you may also enjoy these other battle animations:
Battle of Leuctra 371, another battle featuring the successful use of the attack in oblique order:
Battle of Ilipa 206 BC, another battle featuring a sudden, decisive redeployment of troops:
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