First Silesian War

16 December 1740: across the Silesian frontier

After quietly concentrating his army along the Oder, Frederick II led Prussian forces across the Habsburg Silesian frontier on 16 December 1740 without declaring war.

The troops entered in several columns near Grünberg, Frederick's own passing through Lasgen. By nightfall most of the army was on Silesian soil, spread across several columns to obtain quarters and supplies.

Proclamations, and the calculation behind them

Prussian proclamations posted and distributed during the advance claimed that the invaders came as friends and would protect peaceful Silesians' privileges.

Frederick invoked inherited claims, but his private notes emphasize opportunity, military superiority, territorial advantage and bargaining power. He wanted possession of Silesia before negotiating, and expected to negotiate through the winter with the province already in his hands.

What the columns actually held by January

The invasion force was roughly 27,000 to 28,000 troops, with Kurt Christoph von Schwerin commanding a major column. Maximilian Ulysses Browne had raised the Habsburg infantry in Silesia to about 7,000 by the crossing, up from around 3,000 infantry and 600 cavalry a month earlier.

Browne concentrated his limited defenders in fortified positions and withdrew other forces toward the southern frontier. Prussian columns advanced with little field resistance.

Silesia was not conquered on 16 December. Breslau accepted Prussian control in early January 1741, while Glogau, Brieg and Neisse remained contested.