Russian Occupation of Berlin
Russian and Austrian troops occupied Berlin for four days in October 1760 and left when Frederick's army approached. The raid was a demonstration rather than a campaign. A force of some 35,000 arrived while the king was in Saxony, the garrison of about 1,200 could not hold the walls, and the city surrendered on terms after a brief bombardment. The occupiers behaved with more restraint than Berliners expected. A contribution of 1.5 million thalers was levied and reduced by negotiation, the arsenal, the foundry and the powder mills were destroyed, and the royal palaces at Charlottenburg and Schönhausen were looted — the Austrians being blamed for most of that. The city itself was largely spared, and the Russian commander posted guards on the hospitals and the churches. They withdrew after four days on news that Frederick was coming with 70,000 men. The military effect was small and the political effect considerable. Prussia's capital had been taken by an enemy for the first time, Frederick was fighting on four fronts with a shrinking army and British subsidies that were about to end, and the war looked lost. He wrote to his brother that the situation was hopeless and carried poison. What saved him was a death. Empress Elizabeth of Russia died in January 1762 and was succeeded by Peter III, an admirer of Frederick, who made peace at once and changed sides. Prussia survived intact. Berliners noted at the time that they would rather have Russians than Austrians, which is not a comparison anyone expected to be making. The contribution was paid in bills that Prussia honoured after the war.
- Year: 1760 CE
- Category: Military
