Battles & Campaigns · 1813
Battle of the Göhrde
Göhrde forest, Lower Saxony, Germany
What happened
Wallmoden's corps crossed the Elbe and camped at Dannenberg, and Pécheux's smaller French division attacked. Allied infantry hit the centre while cavalry and artillery struck the French left. When the French formed squares and began to retreat, British rockets and hussars broke their ranks.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was the first Allied win over the French troops holding northern Germany. It cut the link between Davout's corps at Hamburg and Napoleon's main army.
What came next
The French withdrew toward Hamburg. The British rocket unit later fought at Leipzig.
Did you know?
Eleonore Prochaska, who had disguised herself as a man to join the Lützow Free Corps, was wounded here and later honoured as 'Potsdam's Joan of Arc'.
Timeline
- 16 September 1813Battle of the Göhrde.
- 5 October 1813Eleonore Prochaska dies of her wounds at Dannenberg.
- October 1813Battle of Leipzig.