Hungarian forces retained the Cibakháza bridge over the Tisza, enabling later cross-river operations including the Second Battle of Szolnok.
Key Facts
- Date
- 24 February 1849
- Hungarian commander
- Major Károly Leiningen-Westerburg
- Austrian commander
- Major General Ferenc Ottinger
- Outcome
- Hungarian victory; Ottinger forced to retreat
- Strategic objective
- Control of bridge over the Tisza river
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Austrian forces sought to capture and destroy the bridge at Cibakháza over the Tisza river to prevent Hungarian troops from crossing onto the right bank and threatening Austrian-held territories in the region during the Hungarian War of Independence.
On 24 February 1849, Hungarian troops under Major Károly Leiningen-Westerburg defended the Cibakháza bridge against an Austrian assault led by Major General Ferenc Ottinger. The Hungarians repelled the attack and forced Ottinger to withdraw, securing continued Hungarian control of the crossing.
By retaining the Cibakháza bridge, Hungarian forces maintained a viable crossing point over the Tisza. This directly enabled the Second Battle of Szolnok, in which a Hungarian force crossed at Cibakháza and surprised the Austrian garrison at Szolnok, achieving another victory.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Major Károly Leiningen-Westerburg.
Side B
1 belligerent
Major General Ferenc Ottinger.