A smaller Austrian raid had briefly occupied the city in October 1757.[4] The plan drawn up by the allies envisaged a feint towards Guben by the main army, which would allow a force under Heinrich Tottleben to detach itself and hurry northwards to strike at Berlin. This would be followed a separate Austrian force under Count von Lacy.[5] Large numbers of cossacks and light cavalry were to take part in the raid to give it added speed.