Auerstädt–7am-Noon

Napoleon mistakenly believed that most of the Prussian army faced him at Jena, and ordered Bernadotte and Davout to concentrate and attack the Prussians from the rear. On the morning of battle, the majority of the Prussian army was marching …

1806-10-14

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Napoleon mistakenly believed that most of the Prussian army faced him at Jena, and ordered Bernadotte and Davout to concentrate and attack the Prussians from the rear. On the morning of battle, the majority of the Prussian army was marching away from Jena and toward Davout’s advancing III Corps. As Gudin’s infantry division advanced in a dense fog, it clashed with the Prussians in the village of Hassenhausen and drove them out. As the fog lifted, Blücher rashly led forward the Prussian cavalry. Gudin’s men formed square and repulsed the assault. Davout could now see he was greatly outnumbered, and ordered Friant and Morand to march to his aid immediately. He also sent urgent appeals to Bernadotte and his I Corps to support him. Bernadotte, most likely out of professional jealousy, left Davout to fight alone. Meanwhile, Emperor Frederick and Brunswick, the Prussian commanders, were surprised to find French units to their front. Their indecision delayed massing the Prussian infantry and artillery to drive the French from Hassenhausen till 10 a.m. By that time, Friant, with his division and the corps artillery, arrived to help secure the French right and repulse the Prussians. During the attack, Brunswick was killed and Schmettau was wounded, causing more command confusion. A full hour elapsed before the next Prussian attack went in against the weak French left. Davout personally led the counter attack, reinforced by Morand’s division, whose timely arrival preserved the left flank and drove back the Prussians. The Prussian high command remained passive, and did little to bring up fresh troops. Davout on the other hand, wasted no time attacking and driving the Prussians from the field in the afternoon, winning the most signal victory of his career. For many years thereafter, the III Corps retained an aura of invincibility. Napoleon was justifiably furious with Bernadotte and meant to court-martial him, but never did—a mistake in retrospect.

Auerstädt, Germany

The twin battles of Jena and Auerstedt were fought on 14 October 1806 on the plateau west of the river Saale in today's Germany, between the forces of Napoleon I of France and Frederick William III of Prussia. The decisive defeat suffered by the Prussian Army subjugated the Kingdom of Prussia to the French Empire until the Sixth Coalition was formed in 1812.

Wikipedia: Battle of Jena–Auerstedt

French

Prussians

Fourth Coalition