Battle of Auerstädt

The Battle of Auerstädt pitted the Prussian army against part of the French army commanded by Louis Nicolas Davout on 14 October 1806, parallel to the Battle of Jena which took place on the same date. The French army, engaged in Germany for the War of the Fourth Coalition, here faced the bulk of Frederick William III of Prussia's troops, led by the king himself and the Duke of Brunswick. The Prussian army, a reference in Europe over the course of half a century, was defeated in two simultaneous battles.
Marshal Davout, in command of the right wing of the French army, confronted the Prussians at Auerstädt, while Emperor Napoleon did so at Jena. The Emperor led the campaign with the aim of taking Berlin. After a meeting in Saalfeld, he continued to persecute the Prussian army. Thinking that he was in Weimar, he retreated towards Leipzig and accelerated his march to meet him at Jena. His scouts indicated that they would join the Prussians on October 13. Napoleon thought he was facing the bulk of the Prussian army. On the night of the 13th and 14th, he sent Davout forward to face the Prussian army on the right flank and lead it into the open field, where the bulk of the French army could face him more effectively.

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