Dreyse needle gun
While the Austrians prevaricated, Steinmetz decided at 8:30 am to send eight infantry battalions and three batteries of the 9th Division to test the VIII Corps' left flank, while his 10th Division would engage and pin the Austrian center. By 11:00 the 9th Division was nearing the Fragnern brigade and the Prussians infiltrated the tactically vital Dubno Forest. At 12:30 Fragnern on his own initiative decided to use his brigade to dislodge the Prussians in the woods and he left his strong position atop the hill to attack them in the woods. General Fragnern's charge was met by concentrated Prussian infantry fire from the Dreyse needle gun and he was killed and 3,000 men of his brigade were killed or wounded. Fragnern's brigade was shattered and abandoned the field in panic.