Estimating the total number of Prussian soldiers who died across all conflicts throughout history is challenging due to the vast time span, the varying contexts of wars, and incomplete historical records. However, I can provide a rough cumulative estimate based on major conflicts involving Prussian forces:
- Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815): Approximately 200,000 Prussian soldiers died.
- Austro-Prussian War (1866): About 9,000 killed.
- Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871): Approximately 28,000 killed.
- World War I (1914-1918): A significant portion of the approximately 1.8 million military deaths can be attributed to Prussian forces as part of the German Empire.
- World War II (1939-1945): Again, a significant portion of the 5.3 million total military deaths is related to Prussian forces as part of Nazi Germany.
Cumulative Estimate
Adding these figures gives a rough total of around 2.2 million military deaths attributed directly to Prussian soldiers over these significant conflicts.
However, considering all the smaller wars, conflicts, and campaigns that Prussia was involved in from the time of its rise in the 18th century until the end of World War II, the total number could be significantly higher.
It's important to note that these numbers are estimates, as exact figures can be difficult to determine due to the nature of record-keeping at the time and the chaotic nature of war. Additionally, these figures do not account for civilian casualties, which were often substantial in the wars involving Prussia.