At the Battle of Zorndorf, Frederick intended to attack in the "Oblique Order." This was a form of attack intended to achieve overwhelming superiority at a vulnerable point in the enemy line and to withhold a wing for employment at a critical time during the battle.
This was the same form of attack that had achieved such brilliant success the year before at Leuthen (Dragoon Battle Pack 4). Here, however, the plan goes badly astray. The entire left wing of the Prussian attack drifts to the right. Manteuffel loses contact with the Zabern-Grund, exposing his left flank to attack. Likewise, Kanitz's command loses contact with Manteuffel and, instead of supporting the advance guard, itself attacks the Russian center and is overwhelmed. Seydlitz nearly turns the tide on the left by launching a brilliant cavalry attack across the Zabern-Grund, but it is too late. The Prussian left is spent.
The rest of the battle occurs on the Prussian right when Dohna begins his advance at 1:30. Immeidately pounced on by General Demicoud's cavalry, Dohna's wing is saved only by the appearance of two regiments of dragoons sent from the left. After an escalating cavalry battle, Dohna continues the advance but can achieve little. His attack ends in intense but indecisive fighting along the Galgen-Grund.
At the end of the day, the Russians have lost 18,000 men, the Prussians 12,800. Despite these horrendous casualties, neither side had been able to completely break the will of the other.
