Historical Note
At 1600hrs on October 13, 1806 Napoleon and Maréchal Lannes are standing, surveying the situation from the Windknolle. Beyond the slope, they can begin to see the fire lights of the Prussians in the valley. GeneralMajor Tauentzien now occupies the Dornberg after earlier relinquishing the Landgrafenberg and, more critically, the bridge over the Saale at Napoleon's back. After studying the glow of Prussian camp fires Napoleon correctly surmised the entire Prussian Army was nearby. He mistakenly assumed, however, they were preparing to fight him here.
An hour before, Napoleon sent Davout orders that read;
"Maréchal, the Emperor learns at one league from Jena that the enemy is
in the presence of Maréchal Lannes with about 50,000 men. The Maréchal even believes
that he will be attacked this evening: if you hear an attack this evening on Jena,
you must maneuver on the enemy and overwhelm his left. If there is no attack this
evening at Jena, you will receive tonight the dispositions of the Emperor for the day
["journee" carries a sense of focus on the day itself, or on its length] of tomorrow."
Bibliography: Davout, Louis N. Opérations du 3e Corps 1806-1807 Rapport du Maréchal Davout,
Duc D'Auerstaedt Paris : Calmann Lévy ; 1896.
This almost proved fatal for Davout, approaching from the east. For on the morrow, while Napoleon and the majority of the French fight here, Davout's III Corps alone will engage the bulk of the Prussian Army at Auerstadt.
In the early hours of October 14, 1806 Davout's III Corps of 29,000 men, in a thick morning fog, ran into the main Prussian army of some 63,000 men. The Prussians were trying to avoid contact with Davout and they were caught off guard when his forces appeared near Hassenhausen. Despite making repeated attacks the Prussians could not break Davout's lead division under Gudin. Once Davout's entire corps was on the field he counter attacked and routed the Prussian army.
This decisive victory, at first underestimated by Napoleon, owes him the honor of entering Berlin first on October 27, 1806, and the title of Duc D'Auerstaedt (Duke of Auerstadt) in 1808.
French losses included 6 generals, 27 field and 225 junior officers killed and wounded. Overall losses were never established but have been estimated at 7,000 killed, wounded and missing according to Davout.
Prussian losses included the Duke of Brunswick, GL Count von Schmettau, GM von Quitznow and von Greiffenberg, 7 field officers, and 36 junior officers were killed or died of their wounds. FM von Möllendorf, 5 generals, 34 field officers and 181 junior officers were wounded. Not counting battalion pieces, 57 guns were taken. Bodart quotes French figures for Prussian-Saxon casualties as 10,000 dead and wounded and 3,000 captured.
Commander-in-Chief: Friedrich-Wilhelm III, König von Prussen :
Today is October 14, 1806. You are aware that some 30,000 French troops are east of you in Nauburg.
Most of your commanders are ordered to continue with their present orders that require them
to march north-east avoiding Nauburg. Schmettau has been ordered to hold the Kosen Pass
which will block any possible advance by the French.
For a detailed Prussian Order of Battle click HERE.
Commander III Corps : Maréchal Louis-Nicolas Davout :
Today is October 14, 1806. Napoleon has ordered you to attack the main Prussian Army which
is located some distance south-west of you. You expect to see some action before the day is
finished and you have advised your Divisional commanders to be prepared. At 5:30am you
put on your dress uniform as is your custom on the day of battle. Your command spent
the night near Nauburg and has started marching at 6:30am towards Auerstadt.
For a detailed French Order of Battle click HERE.
Auerstadt (Auerstedt) Map:
Auerstadt (Auerstedt) 14 October 1806 : After Action Report
Whenever Davout expected to be in a battle he put on his dress uniform. Since he was under orders to attack the left rear of the Prussian Army today he dressed accordingly at 5:30am.
Gudin's troops were on the move from Nauburg before 6:30am. By 7:00am the 1st Chasseurs were stopped cold in their tracks outside of Poppel by Prussian cavalry and artillery. There was a heavy fog that had lifted just as they approached the village. Once Davout became aware of the Prussian force he ordered Gudin to deploy his force at Hassenhausen.
The present Prussian commander on the field was Schmettau and his division was actually under orders to proceed down the very road that Davout was on to block his advance in the Kosen Pass.
While his troops were deploying to attack Hassenhausen, Blucher arrived with his cavalry and deployed on his left. Together they attacked Gudin's troops and pushed them back to the village.
Wartensleben arrived at 8:30am with Brunswick who ordered his infantry to the left flank and his cavalry to the right.
The rest of the French cavalry arrived at 9:00am and was placed on Gudin's left. Friant and the 12pdr artillery arrived at 9:30am and moved in squares on Gudin's right.
The advance of the French squares forced Blucher's cavalry back. Seeing no other option available he ordered his cavalry to attack. At this very moment two of Wartensleben's regiments attacked Hassenhausen.
Everything failed, three cavalry regiments were routed and the infantry fell back.
Shortly before 10:00am Brunswick ordered a full assault on Hassenhausen. By 10:00am Brunswick was carried from the field mortally wounded along with Schmettau who was also badly wounded. With the loss of these two commanders the Prussian command broke down.
Blucher's infantry and the Prince of Orange arrived about 10:30am and the King made his only decision of the day, to split Orange's command in two, half to each flank. On the French side Morand's Division arrived and was sent to secure Gudin's left.
Davout could now see that the Prussians were wavering so at 11:00am he ordered his infantry to counter attack. By noon Schmettau's center was broken and forced back over the Lissbach Stream, Blucher's cavalry was blown and Wartensleben was trying to reposition his troops. The Prussians realized all was now lost and the King ordered a withdrawal.
It was amazing how historical this battle was but a close examination of the timing of the arrival of troops does not give the players too many options. The Prussians fought an excellent battle and almost took Hassenhausen. I could not find any fault in their planning or execution. The French did equally as well defending and attacking. The French get the nod for the victory but only by the slimmest possible margin.
Footnote: Kalkreuth's troops were not used in this battle.
