Frederick II "the Great" of Prussia

April 10, 1741 · 9,000 total casualties

Mollwitz proved the Prussian infantry's drill and discipline could win battles even when cavalry collapsed. It also revealed Frederick's early weakness as a tactician, a lesson he absorbed and never forgot. The victory kept the Silesian campaign alive.

May 17, 1742 · 12,000 total casualties

Chotusitz forced Austria to sign the Treaty of Breslau, ceding Silesia — one of the wealthiest Habsburg provinces — to Prussia. It ended the First Silesian War and established Frederick as a serious commander.

June 4, 1745 · 15,000 total casualties

Hohenfriedberg is widely considered Frederick's masterpiece of offensive surprise. Executed flawlessly before the enemy could react, it demonstrated the decisive potential of speed, discipline, and night marching that would define Frederician warfare. Austria lost 9,000 prisoners alone.

September 30, 1745 · 10,000 total casualties

Soor demonstrated that Frederick could win even when surprised — a personal reputation milestone as important as any tactical lesson. His ability to read a collapsing situation and improvise was on full display. Combined with Hohenfriedberg, it ended any Austrian hope of retaking Silesia by force.

December 15, 1745 · 11,000 total casualties

Kesselsdorf effectively ended the Second Silesian War. Dresden's capture forced Austria and Saxony to the negotiating table, producing the Treaty of Dresden that confirmed Silesia as Prussian territory and ended Prussian participation in the wider war.