HistoryData
war1705

1705 battle in Rákóczi's War for Independence fought near Szentgotthárd

December 13, 1705

A Hungarian Kuruc victory over Habsburg forces at Szentgotthárd that secured Transdanubia during Rákóczi's War for Independence.

Quick Facts

Year
1705
Category
war

Key Facts

Date
13 December 1705
Hungarian commander
János Bottyán
Habsburg commander
Hannibal Heister
Initial Kuruc force
8,000 soldiers at Kecskemét
Peak Kuruc force
30,000 men
Campaign start date
2 November 1705

By the Numbers

13
Date
8,000
Initial Kuruc force
30,000
Peak Kuruc force
2
Campaign start date

Location

Map of Szentgotthárd, HungaryMap of Szentgotthárd, HungarySzentgotthárd, Hungary

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

On 2 November 1705, Hungarian Kuruc general János Bottyán launched a military campaign in Transdanubia during Rákóczi's War for Independence. Beginning with roughly 8,000 soldiers at Kecskemét, his force grew to 30,000 men as the campaign progressed, achieving early successes including the capitulation of Kőszeg on 10 December 1705.

Event

On 13 December 1705, the Kuruc army under János Bottyán attacked the combined Austrian-Croatian-Serbian Habsburg force commanded by Hannibal Heister at Szentgotthárd and Nagyfalva (Mogersdorf), near the Austro-Hungarian border. The battle resulted in a decisive Hungarian victory over the imperial forces.

Consequence

Following his defeat, Heister retreated to Stadtschlaining (Szalonak), ceding the initiative to the Kuruc forces. The victory allowed Bottyán to consolidate Hungarian control over Transdanubia, effectively liberating the region from Habsburg authority during this phase of Rákóczi's War for Independence.

Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis

Side A

1 belligerent

Hungarian Kuruc forces
Peak Mobilized Forces~30K
Forces vs Casualties ratio
0Mobilized
Key Commanders

János Bottyán.

Side B

1 belligerent

Austrian-Croatian-Serbian Habsburg forces
Key Commanders

Hannibal Heister.

Outcome
Hungarian (Kuruc) victory; Habsburg forces retreated to Stadtschlaining

Timeline Context

Timeline around 170517051702170317041706170717081705 battle in TunisiaBattle of the forces of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and Saxony, against Sweden, 17051705 battle of the War of the Spanish Succession1705 siege in Tunisia1705 battle in the Great Northern WarBattle in Rákóczi War of Independence1705 massacre in Sendling, Germany1705 conflict in the Mughal-Sikh Warsbattle-of-saint-gotthard-1705