Battle of Auerstedt
War of the Fourth Coalition · Auerstedt, Thuringia (Kingdom of Prussia, present-day Germany)
Summary
On the same day as Napoleon at Jena, Davout faced the bulk of the Prussian army. Despite numerical inferiority of roughly one to two, he held all day thanks to the exceptional discipline of his troops. General Brunswick was mortally wounded, the Prussian chain of command collapsed, and Davout turned a defensive position into a brilliant victory.
Historical context
While Napoleon engaged Brunswick at Jena, the bulk of the Prussian army (three corps) marched on Auerstedt, believing they struck French rearguard. Davout, commanding III Corps, stood alone against the entire Prussian army. He chose to hold and counterattack rather than retreat.
Tactics
Davout positioned Friant and Gudin in defensive line on Auerstedt heights. Prussians launched repeated but poorly coordinated assaults; Davout used discipline of his Ulm veterans to hold each position. Around noon Morand arrived as reinforcement; Davout went on the offensive and broke the Prussian center. Brunswick was mortally wounded.
Consequences
Auerstedt, combined with Jena, annihilated Prussian military power. Davout was made Duke of Auerstedt and Marshal of the Empire; his victory is considered superior to Napoleon's the same day. III Corps acquired reputation as elite corps of the Grande Armée.