Grenze & Graves

Habsburg Field Fortifications

By Ralph Morrison And Raphael Koslin


Near Lesna (Mark Lissa), there was until the 1980's a monument to the "irdische" soldiers (Grenze) who fell there in a battle between Loudon's corps and Prussian units under Carl Albrecht, Markgraf of Brandenburg-Schwedt. It is noted in the parish diary at Koscielniki (Steinkirch) that in early October, 1758, Loudon was retreating from Gryfow Slaski (Grieffenberg). On 14th October, his advance guard fell in with Prussian Hussars near Bo2kowice (Eckersdorf). The next day, the remainder of Markgraf Carl's corps (following Prussian tactics) supported the contact and pressed the Grenze to the edge of the town forest, inflicting heavy casualties.

What does survive is a section of retrenchments a little to the southwest of a site known locally as Orle Skaly (Eagle Rock), just by the edge of the forest, in a field now. It is 250 meters long, .5-1.5 meters deep, and 2.7 to 3.4 meters wide. Whether it is a war grave or not, has never been ascertained. This was common practice. But it is one of the very few Habsburg field fortifications extant in Silesia.

On the map, note Baumgarten (Sadek). This is the place where Frederick was nearly captured by Austrian hussars in 1741, when his escort, the privileged "Horse Grenadiers" (D III) were routed. They lost their grenadier status and, after Mollwitz, the 10-squadron establishment was split to form D III and D IV. The cartridge boxes of both regiments retained the 8-point "Guard Star," but without grenades.


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© Copyright 2002 by James J. Mitchell

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