On 29 June 1866 a Prussian force defeated the Austrian Iser army at Gitschin (Jičín) in Bohemia, during the Austro-Prussian War. After the defeat the Austrians retreated toward Königgrätz.
A Prussian victory
According to HistoryOfWar.org, the defeat forced the Austrian commander Benedek to give up his plan to concentrate his army at Dubenetz and to retreat toward Königgrätz instead. Only two Prussian divisions, those of Tümpling and Werder, did the fighting.1
The Prussians lost 71 officers and 1,482 men. The Austrians lost 184 officers and 4,704 men, and their Saxon allies 592 more, well over 5,000 casualties in all, 3,300 of them prisoners.2
Toward Königgrätz
The battered remnants of the Austrian I Corps retreated east toward Benedek's main army. The defeat at Gitschin contributed to the Austrian defeat at Königgrätz four days later.3
Also on this day
1942: Battle of Mersa Matruh. After defeat at Gazala, the British Eighth Army was pursued into Egypt by Rommel's German and Italian army and struck at Mersa Matruh in the Western Desert Campaign.
Frequently asked questions
When and where was the Battle of Gitschin?
It was fought on 29 June 1866 at Gitschin (Jičín) in Bohemia, now in the Czech Republic, during the Austro-Prussian War.
Who won the Battle of Gitschin?
The Prussian forces defeated the Austrian Iser army.
How did it affect the war?
It forced the Austrians to retreat toward Königgrätz and contributed to their defeat there four days later.
Notes
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