Battle of Jena

The Battle of Jena saw Napoleon crush the left wing of the Prussian army. Despite morning fog and incomplete information, the Emperor skillfully maneuvered his army corps to overwhelm enemy positions. The arrival of Davout's corps in reinforcement at Auerstedt the same day completed a general rout.

Prussia, isolated, entered the war against Napoleon belatedly. The Grande Armée crossed Thuringia and maneuvered to cut the enemy from its lines of communication. Napoleon expected to face the bulk of the Prussian army at Jena, which proved partially incorrect: the other half was at Auerstedt.

Napoleon concentrated his forces on the heights of Landgrafenberg, attacked the Prussian right wing, then broke the center with a massive frontal push. Cavalry and infantry in columns shattered the enemy line. Coordination between corps (Soult, Ney, Lannes, Augereau) was exemplary.

A major tactical victory that completely disorganized Prussian command. With Davout's simultaneous victory at Auerstedt, Prussia was militarily annihilated within days. Berlin was taken shortly afterward, and the kingdom had no operational army left.