The War of the Bavarian Succession 1778-1779

Due to its successes against Austria in the first two Silesian Wars and the Seven Years War, the Prussian army is considered to have been Europe’s best in the middle of the eighteenth century. Yet half a century later the once-mighty forces of Frederick the Great were crushed on the fields of Jena and Auerstädt. The short War of the Bavarian Succession (1778-1779), the last war of Frederick the Great, is often considered as a first stage in the rapid decline of Prussia’s Ancien Régime forces.

However, this study takes a fresh view on this conflict. It gives a critical analysis of the strength and limitations of the Frederician war machine, before offering a narrative of this forgotten war, which, because of its lack of battles, was scoffed at by contemporaries as a ‘potato war’, as soldiers struggled more to find food than to fight the enemy. While the war definitely revealed weaknesses within the Prussian military system, it was not necessary for Frederick to win battles and campaigns as long as he was able to achieve his political goals.

This fresh study will change our view of Prussian military effectiveness in the late-eighteenth century.

"...this is a volume that will become the natural starting place for study of the war in English, and the large amount of both period and modern visuals included will delight wargamers, reenactors, and historical enthusiasts. Querengässer should be congratulated on filling a long-absent gap in English-language historiography. Recommended." Kabinettskriege Blog

"This is a well written and researched book, using many primary German language sources supported by a wide range of secondary sources. As a fascinating and rare English language account of a little known war, it should be of great interest to anyone attracted to the campaigns and life of Frederick the Great." Colin Ashton, carryingsonupthedale.com

"....This analysis is well worth reading by wargamers interested in the earlier campaigns of Freidrich II, even if they have no desire to recreate the manoeuvres of the rival armies during the 'Potato War' itself." Miniature Wargames, No 488