The Fight for Torgau, Sept 1st 1756.

The fight for Torgau

September 1st 1756. Frederick crosses the Saxon border and marches on Torgau.

The Advance column is under the command of Prince Henry.

The column consists of IR11, IR14,IR18,IR26, 5/20 Grenadiers and 13/26 Grenadiers.

This is backed by field guns, engineers and pontoons.

The river crossings at Torgau must be seized and held for the main army.

This task is given to Col von Pannweitz, 2nd Hussars. His advance guard consists of IR42 Fusilier regiment, a battalion of grenadiers 32/42 and the 2nd Hussars.The fusiliers led by Col von Schenckendorff, have light btn guns.

Torgau is well defended by garrison artillery, heavy guns behind strong defences and the River Elbe to the front with only two bridge crossings.

Both bridges across the river are occupied by Saxons. 

IR1 Konigin under Col von Munchau block the west bridge. Both are mined by a company of engineers. They are supported by a Saxon invalid company and a company of CL1 Prinz Carl Chevauleger. Torgau is under the command of Col Baron von Rohr, who has orders to delay the Prussians as long as possible, but to ensure the good escape of the regular infantry as required.

A Saxon invalid company move up to defend the east bridge

IR Fusilier Reg 42 commanded by Col von Schenckendorff tries to force the west bridge

Faced by the charge of the Prussians, the west bridge is blown. The Prussian fusiliers take 30% losses from IR1 Konigin, who suffer 7% losses.

Trapped on the wrong side of the river, with no hope of escape, and demoralised after heavy casualties, IR42 surrender and are marched of to Torgau.

The east bridge fails to blow. 2nd Hussars under Col von Wartenberg quickly charge the bridge, which sees a quick exist of the Saxon engineers and surrender of the Invalid company.

Meanwhile, a lucky shot from the btn gun of IR42 kills von Munchau, Colonel of IR1 Konigin. With their leader gone, the regiment retreats down the road south of Torgau

With the Prussians established on the Torgau bank of the river, the Torgau garrison commander, Col Baron von Rohr is forced to negotiate terms of surrender with Col Anton von Pannweitz, commander of the Prussian advance guard. Officers are permitted to maintain side arms, the arsenal at Torgau is surrendered, and IR42 are released after their short period of confinement.

Despite suffering five times as many casualties as the Saxon's,  Prussia can claim a victory. Capturing the east bridge saved a two day delay as the pontoons were some distance to the rear. Prince Henry can move his column deeper into Saxony and dine in style this evening in Torgau. The hero of the advance column, von Pannweitz can be pleased with the determination of his hussars in capturing the bridge and clearing a path for the oncoming troops. Von Panneweitz will dine at Prince Henry's table in the knowledge that his fine leadership has been reported to King Frederick.