Battles & Campaigns · 1761
Siege of Kolberg
Kołobrzeg, West Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland
What happened
Russian forces had failed to take Kolberg in 1758 and 1760. In 1761 Rumyantsev laid siege again in August, Prussian troops broke out in November but could not get back in. Kolberg surrendered on 16 December.
Why it matters
Prussia lost its last major port on the Baltic Sea, and the Russian army could spend the winter in Pomerania.
What came next
Empress Elizabeth died soon after, and her successor Peter III made peace with Prussia and gave Kolberg back.
Did you know?
During the siege Rumyantsev tried a new way of fighting, mixing columns of soldiers with spread-out skirmishers.
Timeline
- 1758First Russian siege of Kolberg fails.
- 1760Second siege fails.
- 24 Aug 1761Rumyantsev begins the third siege.
- 16 Dec 1761Kolberg surrenders.
- 5 May 1762Treaty of Saint Petersburg; Russia makes peace with Prussia.