Siege of Prague (1742)

Siege of the War of the Austrian Succession Siege of PraguePart of the War of the Austrian SuccessionAustrian attack on Prague held by the French in 1742 (G.-L. Le Rouge, c. 1742)DateJune–December 1742LocationPrague, BohemiaResult France successfully defends the city but withdraws on 18 DecemberBelligerents Austria FranceCommanders and leaders Count Lobkowicz Duc de Belle-Isle Duc de BroglieStrength 70,000 25,000 The 1742 siege of Prague was an extended blockade of the Bohemian capital during the War of the Austrian Succession. History French forces first under the command of de Broglie were surrounded by a large Austrian army in June 1742. A French relief column forced the Austrians to partially lift the siege in September, at which time de Broglie escaped from the besieged city, leaving it under the command of Belle-Isle. When the Austrians renewed the siege after halting the advance of the French relief, conditions in the city became quite difficult, but the Austrians failed to maintain a tight cordon around the city. On 16 December, Belle-Isle led 14,000 troops out of the city on a ten-day march to the French-held city of Cheb. In wintry conditions, Belle-Isle succeeded in fe