Prince Charles has a splendid opportunity to surprise an encamped Frederick. The King has failed to occupy the Graner-Koppe, the dominant hill north of Burkersdorf. Prince Charles piles musketeers, grenadiers, cavalry and 16 heavy guns upon it. The remainder of his army he extends in line to the south.
The Prussians detect the Austrian presence, however, and despite all the enemy's advantages of surprise and terrain, it is they who move first to the attack. Marching in column formation, Frederick directs his army to the north where the battle opens with an Austrian cannonade upon the helpless columns of cavalry as they pass beneath the Graner-Koppe.
Having weathered the fire, the cavalry deploys to the north of the hill. General Buddenbrock's troopers open the assault by driving the Austrian horse from the high ground. But the cavalry attack runs into enemy infantry and is turned back by musket fire. The Graner-Koppe is now under infantry attack as well. Elite Prussian grenadiers march right up to the muzzles of the heavy guns and are decimated by a combination of cannon and musket fire. The second line surges forward, fighting through enemy grenadiers, and captures the summit, putting the dangerous battery out of action.
Meanwhile, the right wing of the Austrian line is engaged in its own separate battle as the Prussians move to clear Burkersdorf. After nearly bogging down under yet another battery near the town, Prince Ferdinand's troops finally crack the Austrian center. The Austrians relinquish the field. Frederick has overcome the most dangerous predicament of his career.
