Austrian and Russian forces briefly occupied Berlin in 1760, marking the only foreign capture of the Prussian capital during the Seven Years' War.
Key Facts
- Date of occupation
- October 9–12, 1760
- Duration of occupation
- 3 days days
- Occupying forces
- Austrian and Russian forces
- Outcome for commander
- Count Tottleben tried and found guilty as spy
- Conflict context
- Third Silesian War / Seven Years' War
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
During the Seven Years' War, the Third Silesian War saw Austria and Russia coordinate military pressure against Prussia. With Prussian forces stretched across multiple fronts, an opportunity arose for a joint Austrian-Russian advance on the largely undefended Prussian capital of Berlin in October 1760.
Austrian and Russian forces occupied Berlin from October 9 to 12, 1760, holding the city for three full days. During the occupation, the occupying commanders extracted a monetary contribution from the city before withdrawing as advancing Prussian reinforcements approached.
The occupiers withdrew without destroying the city, which later gave rise to allegations that Russian commander Count Tottleben had accepted a personal bribe from the Prussians to spare Berlin. Tottleben was subsequently tried and convicted of acting as a spy, tarnishing the Russian command's reputation.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
2 belligerents
Count Tottleben.
Side B
1 belligerent