Napoleon Destroys Prussia Forewarned of Prussia's intention to declare war on France, Napoleon decided to strike first with a bold advance from Wurzburg into Saxony on 8 October 1806. He crossed the difficult Thuringian Forest in three columns and brushed aside small Prussian forces near two exits from the passes, advancing north expecting a battle on the Elbe near Leipzig. On 11 October intelligence revealed the Prussians to be further west around Erfurt and Napoleon's 180,000 strong army turned towards the Saale. On 14 October the double battle was fought: Napoleon with 96,000 men and 120 guns engaged and heavily defeated Prince Hohenlohe and General Ruchel with 53,000 men and 120 guns. The decisive engagement was fought further north where Marshal Davout with 27,000 men and 40 guns routed the main Prussian army under Frederick William IV and the Duke of Brunswick who commanded 63,500 men and 230 guns. This title examines these two battles, Jena and Auerstadt in detail, showing clearly the swiftness with which Napoleon dealt Prussia's military machine a severe blow. The author, David Chandler is head of the Department of War Studies at Sandhurst and is widely acclaimed for his work on Napoleon's battles. This book is yet another fine example of his comprehensive and extremely readable work. |
