Battle of Jena–Auerstedt
Jena and Auerstedt, Germany
What happened
Emperor Napoleon and Marshal Louis-Nicolas Davout fought the Prussian armies of Prince Hohenlohe and of King Frederick William III and the Duke of Brunswick. Prussia went to war with Napoleon, who marched toward Berlin looking for a decisive battle. On 14 October 1806 two battles were fought on the same day: Napoleon fought at Jena, believing he faced the main Prussian army. In fact the main Prussian army was at Auerstedt, where Marshal Davout's much smaller force defeated it, and both Prussian armies collapsed.
Why it matters
Result: French victory. Leader: Napoleon I / Jean-Baptiste Bessières. Why it matters: In a single day the Prussian army was broken and Prussia was knocked out of the war. Officers who fought there later helped reform the Prussian army.
What came next
Davout's troops marched into Berlin on 25 October. Davout was later given the title Duke of Auerstedt.
Did you know?
Davout was later made Duke of Auerstedt.
Timeline
- 1806Prussia goes to war against Napoleon.
- 14 October 1806The French win at Jena and Auerstedt on the same day.
- 25 October 1806Davout's corps enters Berlin.