The siege of Breslau was a siege in the Third Silesian War (part of the Seven Years' War) that began on 7 December 1757 and ended on 19 December 1757. After the defeat at Leuthen, the Austrians withdrew into Breslau. The combined Austro-French garrison of approximately 17,000 men, commanded by Lieutenant General Field Marshal Soloman Sprecher von Bernegg, faced a Prussian army commanded by Frederick the Great. Background After over-running Saxony, Frederick next campaigned in Bohemia. Learning that French forces had invaded his ally's territory of Hanover, Frederick moved west. On 5 November 1757, he defeated the combined French and Austrian force at the Battle of Rossbach. The Austrians had managed to retake Silesia: Prince Charles had taken the city of Schweidnitz and moved into lower Silesia. Frederick learned of the fall of Breslau (22 November). He and his men covered in 12 days and, at Liegnitz, joined up with the Prussian troops who had survived the fighting at Breslau. This augmented army of about 33,000 troops arrived near Leuthen (now Lutynia, Poland), west of Breslau, to find 65,000 Austrians in possession. In a decisive action, the Prussians executed a difficult oblique maneuver to attack the Austrians at the weakest part of the line; the Battle of Leuthen turned into a rout. The Austrians fell back into Bohemia, once again leaving Silesia to the rising Prussians. Charles and his second in command, Count Leopold Joseph von Daun were "sunk in the depths of despondency", and the prince could not fathom what had happened. Frederick had sent half Hans Joachim von Zieten's cavalry and some light troops chasing Charles' retreating army, now heading toward Königgratz and took the bulk of his army to Breslau. The Austrians were determined to hold Breslau, not only because losing it would cost them control of Silesia and considerable prestige, but also for the immense quantities of stores it held. By chasing Charles' army well into Bohemia, the Prussians guaranteed that the Austrian garrison at Breslau would remain isolated. The Austrian commander, recognizing his grim plight, posted placards on gallows and poles throughout the city, warning anyone who spoke of surrender would be instantly hanged. Garrison The Imperial commander, Soloman Sprecher von Bernegg, was 57-years-old, and had attained the rank of lieutenant field marshal. He was a life long military veteran, having served in the Spanish or Habsburg military since his late boyhood. In addition to