The Battle of Karansebes: How Austria Lost to Itself
As the Austrian army camped and drank, a rumor of an enemy’s approach led to chaos and deadly friendly fire.
History is filled with stories of military victories and defeats, heroes and villains, strategies and tactics. Some battles are won with clever planning, others with brute force, and others with sheer luck. But among all these battles, some stand out as bizarre, unusual, or downright absurd.
One such battle is the Battle of Karansebes, which occurred in 1788 during the Austro-Turkish War. The Austrian army defeated itself in this battle, even before the actual enemy showed up.
The Setting: Camped Out and Drinking
The stage was set in Karansebes, then part of the Habsburg Monarchy (modern-day Romania). The Austrian army, numbering around 100,000 soldiers, was camped in the vicinity, preparing to engage the Ottoman army approaching from the south.
The Austrians had already suffered some setbacks in previous battles. They were eager to turn the tide of the war in their favor. However, they were also exhausted, hungry, and thirsty, having marched for days without rest.
