16 April in military history: Battle of Culloden, 1746

Quick answer

On 16 April 1746 the Duke of Cumberland's government army destroyed the Jacobite army of Charles Edward Stuart on the moor at Culloden, east of Inverness, ending the last Jacobite rising. On the same date in 1945 the Soviet 1st Belorussian Front under Georgy Zhukov attacked the Seelow Heights, opening the Soviet offensive on Berlin.

The Battle of Culloden, 1746: the end of the Jacobites

16 April 1746 · 280 years ago

The rising of 1745 had begun in triumph. Charles Edward Stuart, Bonnie Prince Charlie, had won at Prestonpans and marched deep into England as far as Derby before turning back.

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Battle of Berlin

16 April to 2 May 1945 · 81 years ago

The Red Army won the Battle of Berlin between 16 April and 2 May 1945, storming the German capital in one of the largest and most ferocious urban battles in history. It ended with the Soviet flag over the Reichstag, Adolf Hitler dead in his bunker and the fall of the Third Reich.

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Battle of the Seelow Heights, 1945: the last gate to Berlin

16 April 1945 · 81 years ago

On the Seelow Heights east of Berlin, Soviet troops of Zhukov's 1st Belorussian Front, including the Polish 1st Army, attacked the German 9th Army in World War II. The bitter three-day battle was one of the last great assaults on fortified lines and opened the road to Berlin.

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Also on this day

1917: the French army opened General Robert Nivelle's offensive on the Chemin des Dames ridge. According to the Aisne department's Chemin des Dames site, Nivelle had promised a breakthrough “in 24 or 48 hours” (our translation); it did not come, and the French lost 30,000 killed in the ten days from 16 to 25 April.¹

Frequently asked questions

When and where was the Battle of Culloden?

It was fought on 16 April 1746 on Drummossie Moor above Culloden House, a few miles east of Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. It was the last battle of the Jacobite risings. The date is in the Julian calendar that Britain used until 1752.

Who fought at Culloden?

The Jacobite army of Charles Edward Stuart, about 5,000 men, against the government army of Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, about 9,000 men. Many Scots fought on the government side.

Who won the Battle of Culloden, and how fast?

The government. Cumberland's artillery and musketry broke the Highland charge and his cavalry turned the defeat into a rout. According to the National Army Museum, the fighting lasted less than an hour.

How many men died at Culloden?

Government losses were 50 killed and 259 wounded. Jacobite deaths are estimates: 1,000 to 1,500 according to the National Army Museum, 1,200 to 1,500 according to Historic Environment Scotland.

Why does Culloden matter?

It ended the Jacobite risings and was the last pitched battle on British soil. The government then set out to break the clan system of the Highlands, banning Highland dress and the carrying of weapons.