[Raptor1]

May, 1757

Austria and France meet in the Palace of Versailles to sign the Second Treaty of Versailles. Austria promises to cede the Austrian Netherlands to France in exchange for 129,000 French troops and a large amount of money until Silesia is returned to them. Meanwhile, large amounts of militia troops are raised throughout Prussian territory, as well as the first Freikorps battalions; irregular units inspired by the Austrian Grenzers.



The pursuit of Charles of Lorraine's army in Karlsbad continues. Two days following the Second Battle of Karlsbad, a Saxon force of some 5,000 men under Graf von Gersdorf, lagging behind the main body of the retreating army, is caught by Frederick's troops and is utterly annihilated for almost no Prussian casualties. Soon afterwards, the remainder of Prince Charles' troops, nearly 30,000 men, arrive in Eger and retreat behind the walls of the fortress, which is promptly placed under siege by Elbe Armee.



At the same time, Daun leaves his encampment in Tabor and advances north. A small Prussian cavalry force under Johann von Hülsen sent to watch the Austrian army fails to get out of the way in time and is promptly crushed. Daun arrives in Prague unopposed and lays siege to the Fortress.



In the west, French armies cross the Rhine and besiege the recently reinforced Wesel, while detached elements are also sent to take the Hanoverian town of Dortmund. The armies of Hanover, Brunswick and Hessen struggle to assemble around the Prussian fort of Minden in time for the French attack.