Halle–Afternoon

Because of Dupont’s success in capturing the bridges over the Saale in the morning, the French quickly occupied the town of Halle. Bernadotte, now called a halt to the advance to wait for the rest of his corps to come …

1806-10-17

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Because of Dupont’s success in capturing the bridges over the Saale in the morning, the French quickly occupied the town of Halle. Bernadotte, now called a halt to the advance to wait for the rest of his corps to come up. Eugene’s Prussians, deployed to the south east of Halle, were now in an awkward position. Dupont’s division in Halle threatened to cut the Prussian line of retreat to the north, and another of Bernadotte’s divisions was arriving to extend the French line. Instead of retreating east out of harm’s way, Eugene clung to the original plan of retreating northward. Unfortunately this meant the Prussians were at their most vulnerable as they retreated past Halle with two French divisions on their flank. Once both French divisions were formed, Bernadotte attacked. In short order the French tore through the cavalry in the center of the Prussian column, scattering survivors to the north and south. The last intact Prussian field force was no more.

Halle, Germany

In the Battle of Halle on 17 October 1806 a French corps led by Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte fought the Prussian Reserve under Eugene Frederick Henry, Duke of Württemberg. The French defeated their opponents, forcing the Prussians to retreat northeast toward Dessau after suffering heavy losses. The clash occurred in the War of the Fourth Coalition, part of the Napoleonic Wars. The city of Halle is located about 30 kilometers northwest of Leipzig on the Saale River.

Wikipedia: Battle of Halle

French

Prussians

Fourth Coalition