16. An Army That Defeated Itself
The Austro-Turkish War of 1787-1791 witnessed the Battle of Karansebes, one of history’s most farcical debacles. Occurring in 1788, it pitted an Austrian Habsburg army of 100,000 men against itself. It ended with the Austrians killing up to 10,000 of their own ranks, routing themselves, and scattering in panicked flight without an enemy present.
Austria’s Habsburgs ruled a diverse and multiethnic empire. Its army was comprised of units drawn from various ethnic groups, most of whom could not understand each others’ languages. During the night of September 21-22, 1788, Austrian hussars crossed a river to scout. They found no Turks, but found some Gypsies who sold them schnapps. Soon, the hussars were uproariously drunk. Back in the camp, the Austrian commander grew worried by the hussars taking so long to return, so he sent some infantry across the river to check. The infantry found the hussars, and demanded a share of the schnapps. The hussars refused, and a brawl ensued, and escalated into an exchange of gunfire. It got worse.
