The Austro-Prussian War: The Battle of Skalitz, 1866 (Part 6)

Amidst impending dusk, the Battle of Skalitz teetered on a precipice of uncertainty. Austrian and Prussian forces converged, each move a carefully calculated gamble. The silence before the storm held its breath until Benedek's departure, leaving mere minutes between his exit and the eruption of chaos. The forested battlefield transformed into a theater of carnage as Prussian fire shredded Austrian ranks. Fragnern and Kreyssern met grim fates, their charges painting the earth red. Archduke Leopold's desperate retreat carved a path to potential salvation or utter defeat, the balance hanging tenuously. In the heart of battle, history's course awaited its decisive turn.
Consider supporting HoH:
►Patreon: / houseofhistory
►Become a channel member:
/ @hoh
►Leave a tip: www.paypal.me/HouseofHistory
Check out House of History: the Podcast
►iTunes: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/ho...
►Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/71f9cyl...
Socials:
►Check out my blog: www.houseofhistory.co
►My Twitter: / oscar_hoh
Like the charts in the background? Visit usefulcharts.com/?aff=22 and use the code "HOUSEOFHISTORY" for 10% off!
🧾 Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
Watch my documentary series:
►Battles and History of Prussia: • Prussian Battles
►End of Empire - Downfall of the Qing Dynasty playlist: • End of Empire - China'...
►World War 2 playlist: • World War 2
Thank you for taking the time to check out House of History, I hope you will find the films informative, interesting and enjoyable!
If you have any feedback, questions or criticism feel free to leave a comment. Your opinion truly aids me in improving the content of the channel! If you have a question, feel free to leave a comment and I will either write a reply, answer your question in a Q&A video, or make an entire video about it!
📚 Sources:
Written by House of History
🎵 Music courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
🖼 Photos, paintings and imagery: Public Domain, Wikicommons
#HouseofHistory #History

[@sovereignwill6020]

Been thinking about "Kingdom Come" since I first heard you say Skalitz

[@shivanshna7618]

God be with u Henry .

[@FreeFallingAir]

This series may be your best work to date. Fantastic work!

[@alexanderthegreatzabaras7492]

100% agreed, i look forward to every video now!

[@thomlinford]

Totally agree

[@servantofjustice6111]

Agreed, Include every battle in detail. We are loving it

[@nomooon]

This is HoH's Magnum Opus, from now on, if people mention early modern Prussia on KZbin, they will have to mention House of History.

[@napoleonibonaparte7198]

Austria attempting to not experience another army disaster challenge: Impossible.

[@serfranke5744]

Great video in a great series. A short comment about the name of the battle. The town [Böhmisch] Skalitz (today Česká Skalice) in this video is NOT the same one as the town Silberskalitz (today Stříbrná Skalice) in the video game "Kingdom Come: Deliverance". The latter one is located literally in the center of Bohemia, while the one in this video is a town in the north-east of the country, close to the border with Poland (Silesia back then). If you search for "Skalitz" in German Wikipedia, you get entries about around 20 different locations in today's Czech Republic.

[@nathanappleby5342]

This is without a doubt one of the best tactical performances by the Prussian Army due not just to their officers but the technological advantage of their weapons. At Skalitz the Prussians used rapid fire to shred the ranks of the Austrian army just as they had done at Frederick the Great's masterpiece win at Rossbach which was with flintlock muskets and even then the Prussian infantry had been trained to fire several shots a minute before their ammunition ran out. The fact that the Prussians fired shredding volleys at the attacking Austrians at a range of 400 meters with a rifle that fired an acorn shaped bullet is most impressive. Here is an interesting thought: the Dreyse rifle was first released in the early 1840s and it was a bolt action rifle with a needle fire system that fired an acorn shaped bullet that could fired accurately up to a certain distance. The Lorenz rifle the Austrians used was a percussion cap muzzle loader and the bullet it fired was the Minie ball which was conical in shape and was first made in 1846 with the first of the Minie rifles being released a few years later and it although a muzzle loader could fire a bullet at a farther effective distance. It is strange therefore that the the Minie rifles were technically rendered obsolete before they were made.

[@janostoth4315]

The Austrians made it for the Prussians easy, with leaving their decent defensive positions and going into attack. Yes, if the Prussian rifles are more effective on long range, than the Austrians, than this makes the defense for the Austrians difficult - still its better to stay on higher ground and using cover, than storming.

[@nathanappleby5342]

The Minie bullet would be able to go farther due to it's conical shape but due to the quality of the training of the Austrian infantry they couldn't load their rifles as fast as the Prussians could their Dreyse's and they had the better training.

[@JayManty]

Skalitz is my hometown, thank you for making this. One big mistake though, the body of water south of Skalitz didn't exist until the 20th century, it was a large field that was only flooded in the 2nd half of the 20th century as an irrigation and an anti-flooding project. The "river" you are referring to as Aupa at around 16:00 is actually an artificial channel built in the 1960s, the real aupa is the one further to the left. The reality of the Aupa retreat was much more gruesome - the Aupa heights end with a good 20-30 meter 80° slope down into the river valley, a lot of Austrian soldiers straight up fell and broke their back in the relatively shallow river below, drowning or being shot from the heights by the pursuing Prussians.

[@gerardjagroo]

How cool to live where a great battle was fought. Do you go around with a metal detector picking up bullets? Do you have any ghosts nearby?

[@sumedhraosurendramalandkar4056]

This series is a pleasure to watch! Hope u also cover Franco Prussian wars after the Austrian ones r done

[@michelwardynski6498]

House of History is in a league of its own when it comes to graphics.

[@odd-ysseusdoesstuff6347]

This is such an underrated channel. How you describe locations, emotions, and movements were beautiful!

[@canthama2703]

Another awesome video from this series....though not much known war...this has been a hell of a ride to watch them all.

[@ericharrison7518]

Not much known? This war is a turning point in military history, and has been extensively studied and documented, hence why he's able to be so detailed in his videos on it. This was the start of modern warfare as we know it, and would irrevocably change Europe, let alone the world. A better description would be overshadowed war, since the Franco Prussian war is much higher in the public conscious.

[@HoH]

It definitely is overshadowed, contrary to my expectations. The views have been doing very poorly despite the watchtime & CTR being very high. People just don't know this war occurred.

[@ericharrison7518]

​@@HoHThat's genuinely a shame. This is probably my favorite few years in history to learn about. Hundreds of years of military theory and technology gets thrown out the window after seven weeks of Austria essentially getting curbstomped by a smaller Prussian army equipped with modern breechloading rifles and breechloading artillery pieces. I doubt you will since the views are low on this but it would be interesting to see a video released after the end with the reactions from militaries around the world to the Prussian victory.

[@HoH]

@@ericharrison7518 This is my passion project more than anything. It is also my fulltime job, but considering the hours I put in it's not that rewarding. So even if a topic will perform poorly - if I find it interesting, I will dedicate time to it.

[@shehansenanayaka3046]

Another brilliant video from the house of history. Brilliant video. We always appreciate your hard work and dedication towards these videos. Your huge fan from Sri Lanka 🇱🇰🤝🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿.

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Anohter day another video from this amazing channel! I'd like to take a moment to thank you for the videos you produce. Thanks and take care.

[@MagnumGreenPanther]

Sound like you need Henry to help!

[@jasonkurtrix357]

Henry must be around some where. Looking for food

[@KHK001]

Another great video as always!

[@LoganO122]

Another great mini-doc! bravo

[@jonshive5482]

Yaaay! Another one! Keep 'em coming guys! And thanks.

[@Eric-ng2ed]

commenting for the algorithm. really enjoy the work you do on important history that often times only receives a footnote. edit: do you think you could do a video on the firearms and infantry tactics of this period?

[@HoH]

Thanks! I am not sure about that video - I might, but I suspect I will have to learn other software (3D rendering) to do it justice.

[@Davtheimpaler]

Can't wait for the next installment.

[@charlesjohnson6777]

Awesome series house of history 🎉

[@andreaconsoli7754]

Thank you very much

[@keerf255]

"I'm feeling quite hungry!"

[@sjtimmer7]

Right town name, wrong year. Really looking for my homeboy, Henry of Skalitz, from the company of Sir Radzig Kobylaaaa.

[@jotaro2690]

Seriously you should continue this series

[@brokenbridge6316]

A century before Prussia had struggled against Austria when King Frederick was at the helm. Now look at Prussia standing toe to toe with Austria and beating them in battle and beating them good.

[@larskristiansen9158]

Well done

[@robbabcock_]

Great video! What a meat-grinder of a battle.

[@hamder]

I wonder if it's the same Skalitz as the one in Kingdome Come: Deliverance.

[@TheOsu22]

It is. Most of this series of battles takes place close to where the game is set

[@HoH]

I haven't played Kingdom Come: Deliverance (I am watching a review right now, I am not much of a gamer) but it appears Skalitz in the game is south of Prague, whereas this is in Bohemia's north-east. I am not 100% sure though.

[@serfranke5744]

It isn't. The game is set in an area along the Sasau (Sázava) river south-east of Prague, while these battles all took place along the Bohemian-Silesian (today Czech-Polish) border, far to the north-east of Prague. If you search for "Skalitz" in Wikipedia (at least the German version) you get almost two dozen different locations, all of them located in Czechia.

[@AndreevGM]

thanks

[@Black-Fish]

Ahhh Skalitz. Kingdom Come Deliverance

[@Dantheman813]

Where do you get your art work from?! The painting with Benedek and Ramming is beautiful!!!

[@joaoespecial4168]

From a good position to utter defeat

[@hotsauce2644]

Nice video, I would find the battle of custozza interesting

[@TheDevilMethod]

Yes, great. Love your videos bro. Im Prussian myself. Keep on the good work.

[@nathanappleby5342]

Indeed, the Bundeswher could really learn from this and the other videos of this series.

[@batuhanyayla7214]

I thought prussia has gone after the WW2 how come you can be prussian Arent they part of russia and poland right now

[@nathanappleby5342]

@@batuhanyayla7214Not just Poland but other European countries too if you look at a map of Prussia from the past and compare it to a modern day one.

[@batuhanyayla7214]

@@nathanappleby5342 I see but prussia is a geographical region and people who are from this regions are considered as prussian and today region is completely under Russian and polands rule you can check from the google If you wish

[@cramw139]

Hiii, are you considering making a video on the reapers war?

[@Billy_Bob_Dan]

Your work on this series makes every other channel seem subpar in comparison. Splendid work

[@jasonthompson6594]

Brilliant! Love your work.

[@simonebertozzi8903]

Could you do some videos about italian second war of independence ?

[@crissagram]

Drinking game: Take a drink every time he says "rapid fire volleys".

[@ReaperCH90]

I'm deader than the drunk Ukrainians

[@Derzull2468]

I bet Henri said "I'm hungry".

[@shivanshna7618]

Henry come here to see us

[@cjsuganob9076]

Clicked the video, enjoys it, finishes it, open Google maps, searches Skalitz in Czech Republic, looks at the map, founds the place, satisfied.

[@profkluk]

Owerweight, kidney problems and partially blind - probably still a better commander than von Bonin.

[@napoleonibonaparte7198]

In the most simplest of terms, it's an Austrian FUBAR.

[@armadaazul]

Bom vidio

[@notthefbi7932]

For the Kaiser, I mean the algorithm 😁

[@yazeedyazeed6182]

On sided war I am waiting for a comeback story

[@alannolan5126]

Can u Do the War Of Spanish Succession?

[@Roggay47]

00:10 I laughed hard at the first ai-produced image, with the man triple-crossing his arms. The use of ai to illustrate yours videos is great don't get me wrong and the result is impressive, but I love to spot the small details the ai get wrong.

[@christianschrader5927]

Can you cover the boxer rebellion?

[@HoH]

I have, years ago!

[@marcrouhana8932]

can you fo after that a series about us revolution

[@moritztabor1678]

👍👍

[@vihaanshrivastava7470]

great video! but could you cover the war of the spanish succession after this series?

[@HoH]

I am working on a series on Eugene of Savoy together with my friend HistoryMarche, over on his channel. It features the War of the Spanish Succession!

[@homelessjesse9453]

This battle took place a year after the bloody American Civil War ended.

[@ericharrison7518]

Thanks Captain Obvious. None of us noticed that until now.

[@ceberskie119]

Wait...is this Henry's Skalitz??

[@mohammedsaysrashid3587]

This series worked was fantastic, explained, similar to the other previously episode's thank you for sharing.. Prussian warriors were more tall and more talented than Austrian 🇦🇹 enemies.. Prussian officers were responded more seriously and more furious than Austrian 🇦🇹 officers. Thank you to the ( House of History) channel...maybe enormous numbers of Prussian wars converted Prussian people to warrior population

[@beepboop204]

[@mynamejeb8743]

Jesus Christ be Praised

[@mikewilburn5884]

Thank you

[@shehryarashraf5840]

if only the Austrians had the services of a certain Henry........

[@GiantSleepy]

I am not a fan of the sound effect used when highlighting map elements. It’s kind of jarring tbh.

[@HoH]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@DaHuuudge]

These battles are ugly for the Austrians. Prussian technological and tactical superiority ensures they get the better of almost every engagement.

[@giod6266]

It is just sad to watch.. Austrians lacked good generals..

[@acedelizo6430]

I think Skalitz was destroyed

[@kalterverwalter4516]

Silber Skalitz?

[@kerberos623]

No, see comment above

[@ofmanyone]

14:21 was Ukraine even a country back then?🤔

[@elmascapo6588]

No, but ukranians were a thing back then

[@TheAustrianAnimations87]

Austria ruled Galicia back then, so Ukrainians were also conscripted into the Austrian army.

[@logank444]

KZbin Algorithm booster

[@HoH]

🔥🔥

[@logank444]

​@@HoHUser Engagement

[@oliverpearson1577]

I will happily subscribe to your channel if you can go one video without saying the word 'significant'.

[@user-mj8zo2gj4i]

I would comment,BUT I HATE AI!!!

[@tongobong1]

Then Trump came...

[@callebaloo]

Please remove those annoying popup sounds

[@Lenn869]

I feel quite hungry

[@user-mc8ow8me9o]

Henri from Skalitz

[@user-mc8ow8me9o]

Defeat at wAjSokOw xD