Battles & Campaigns · 1759
Battle of Kay
Kay (Kije), near Sulechów, Lubusz, Poland
What happened
Frederick II wanted Wedel to force a battle and stop the Russians from joining the main Austrian army. Wedel attacked the Russians on the heights near Kay, but his troops struggled to cross a marshy stream and their attacks on the entrenched Russians failed.
Why it matters
The Russian victory opened the road to the Oder River and threatened Brandenburg and Berlin. It allowed the Russians and Austrians to join forces.
What came next
Saltykov's army occupied Frankfurt an der Oder, Austrian troops under Ernst Gideon von Laudon joined him, and three weeks later they met Frederick at Kunersdorf.
Did you know?
Frederick at first reported only 800 Prussian losses, a figure far below the real number.
Timeline
- 23 Jul 1759Battle of Kay (12 July in the old Julian calendar).
- 3 Aug 1759Russians occupy Frankfurt an der Oder.
- By mid-Aug 1759Laudon's Austrians join Saltykov.
- 12 Aug 1759Battle of Kunersdorf.