Battle of Jena–Auerstedt: Napoleon and Davout crush the Prussian army

Background. By 1806, Prussian military doctrines had remained unchanged for over 50 years, featuring monotonous tactics and an obsolete wagon system. The Prussian musket was considered poor, and the army included many non-Prussians. In contrast, Napoleon's army was reorganized according to the advanced corps system, which he improved significantly by 1805. Prussia's senior command structure was weak, with multiple officers holding command positions.

Commanders. Napoleon, Emperor of the French, led the French forces in the War of the Fourth Coalition. Louis-Nicolas Davout had been named one of the original 18 Marshals of the Empire upon Napoleon's ascension as Emperor in 1804. Charles William Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, was the ruling prince of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel and a military leader who commanded the large Prussian army at Auerstedt.

Outcome. The battle was the decisive engagement of the War of the Fourth Coalition. Napoleon defeated Prussia at Jena–Auerstedt in 1806. The Duke of Brunswick was mortally wounded by a musket ball during the battle. In 1807, Napoleon granted Davout the title Duke of Auerstaedt and named him governor-general of the Duchy of Warsaw.