Opening Moves

1755, December: Frederick had a spy in the Saxon Court. This spy managed to obtain some information on Graf Bruhl's operational plans to march on Prussia's Silesia (captured in 1740). These plans outlined how Saxony and Austria would defeat Prussia, carve up Poland, and then wage war on France. Unfortunately, unlike in real life, this time Frederick did not get all the details. Meanwhile, having found out the spy, Saxony and Austria have forged a secret alliance with Russia and a contract of neutrality with France.

March 1756: Sweden secretly moves most of its forces from Swedish Pommerainia to lay siege on Koenigsberg. April 2: Frederick does not know this, but does catch wind of an Austrian "Expeditionary Force" that moved to Pommerainia. Prussia launches a pre-emptive strike in three directions. 3/4 of the whole army (under Frederick) moves out of Silesia into Saxony. 1 /8 of the Army (under von Winterfeldt)moves to Koenisberg to "watch the Russians", and the remainder (under Prinz Henri) marches on Strasrund in Swedish Pommerainia.

The battle for Stralsrund (held in Columbus, 7 September); Prinz Henri risked all and split his small force. He struck the town of Stralsrund with all haste, gambling that he could catch the Austrians and Swedes off guard. The objective was the capture of the town. The Swedes built a hasty earthwork and assembled only one brigade of Provicials. The Austrians brought their whole army to the field, with two brigades attempting to outflank Henri. At the last minute, two regiments of Prussian Hussars kept this Austrian flank-march in check on the Prussian Right. The Austrians routed the Prussian Left Cavalry wing, but lost all their generals, thus stalling any exploitation. An unusually cautious Henri kept the Austrian and Swede center busy until the Austrian/Swede force abandoned the field.

Order of Battle

Prussians:

1 Bde of Musketeers, 1 Bde of Grenadiers, 1 regiment of Dragoons (indep. bde), 1Kuirassier Bde, one battery of heavy guns. 

Austrians:

3 Bde of Fusiliers, 1 Dragoon Bde, 1 Kurassier Bde, 1 Heavy (Swede) Battery, 1 Swede Provicial Brigade.

Results

Henri, astounded at the lack of Swedish forces present in the area, moved cautiously onto the left flank of the Swedish works. After stalling the Austrian Right Cavalry wing, the Prussians only pushed forward to within light gun range. The Swedes and Austrians lost heart after two Generals lost their lives and the Prussians gains a strategic victory with the capture of Stralrund.