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Königgrätz, 150 Years Some impressions of the violent Battle of Königgrätz in the middle of the Austro-German War of 1866, which was caused by disputes over the joint administration of the newly-won terrritory of Schleswig-Holstein in the Danish War of 1864. The biggest battle by far, was that of Königgrätz, with the combined Prussian forces against the Austrians and Saxons in Bohemia (Böhmen). The area of Königgrätz is known today as Sadowa. The pictures show some of the major events in the battle, such as the defence of the Swiep-Wald by the Magdeburg Infantry Regts. 27 and 67 against overwhelming odds of the Saxons and Austrians. The Young Hindenburg, was at the time 18 years old and a Fähnrich in 3. Garde-Regiment-zu-Fuss, suffered a head-wound, so that for the rest of the battle he was granted permission to wear his cap instead of the helmet. For this action he recieved the Goldenes Militär-Verdienst Kreuz, the highest decoration for ncos and other ranks, instead of the Pour le Mérite for officers. In later years Hindenburg admitted that this was the decoration he was the most proud of. This decoration was in fact made of pure gold until 1916. The final picture shows an impression of the aftermath of the battle. Included are pictures of obverse and reverse of the campaign cross for Königgrätz, which again, I have borrowed from the internet, as I can't make a better picture of my own examples. Similar crosses were awarded with a different inscription: - (Königgrätz) - Main-Armee - Treuen Kriegern and a further cross in a different bronze with different inscription and a different ribbon for non-combattants: - Pflichttreue im Kriege