The Dual Battles of Jena and Auerstadt, 1806. Napoleon's High-Water Mark. Prussia's Defeat Sparks Reforms - Becomes the World's Greatest Military Institution of the 19th Century.
12/09/24 • 27 min
The disastrous Prussian defeat at Jena and Auerstädt in 1806 was more than a humiliation, it was a reckoning. In the ashes of their shattered military, Prussia saw the urgent need for reform. The old system, built on outdated doctrines and rigid hierarchy, was swept away. At the heart of this transformation was the creation of the General Staff system, a revolutionary institution that replaced privilege and pedigree with merit, expertise, and meticulous planning. This system became the engine of the Prussian military’s rebirth, ensuring it was led by the most talented minds, trained to anticipate and respond to the complexities of modern warfare.
The results were undeniable. Over the next century, the Prussian military emerged as the most formidable force in Europe, its dominance confirmed by stunning victories against Denmark, Austria, and France. The General Staff became the model for every major military power, reshaping the very nature of command and strategy in the modern age. What began as Prussia’s greatest disaster ultimately became the foundation of its greatest strength, cementing its military legacy for generations to come.
Jena and Auerstadt. October 14, 1806.
Prussian Forces: ~ 105,000 Soldiers.
French Forces: ~ 80,000 Soldiers.
Additional Reading and Episode Research:
- Chandler, David. The Campaigns of Napoleon.
- Britt, Albert. The Wars of Napoleon.
- Dupuy, Trevor. A Genius for War.
- Maude, F. N. The Jena Campaign.
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The disastrous Prussian defeat at Jena and Auerstädt in 1806 was more than a humiliation, it was a reckoning. In the ashes of their shattered military, Prussia saw the urgent need for reform. The old system, built on outdated doctrines and rigid hierarchy, was swept away. At the heart of this transformation was the creation of the General Staff system, a revolutionary institution that replaced privilege and pedigree with merit, expertise, and meticulous planning. This system became the engine of the Prussian military’s rebirth, ensuring it was led by the most talented minds, trained to anticipate and respond to the complexities of modern warfare.
The results were undeniable. Over the next century, the Prussian military emerged as the most formidable force in Europe, its dominance confirmed by stunning victories against Denmark, Austria, and France. The General Staff became the model for every major military power, reshaping the very nature of command and strategy in the modern age. What began as Prussia’s greatest disaster ultimately became the foundation of its greatest strength, cementing its military legacy for generations to come.
Jena and Auerstadt. October 14, 1806.
Prussian Forces: ~ 105,000 Soldiers.
French Forces: ~ 80,000 Soldiers.
Additional Reading and Episode Research:
- Chandler, David. The Campaigns of Napoleon.
- Britt, Albert. The Wars of Napoleon.
- Dupuy, Trevor. A Genius for War.
- Maude, F. N. The Jena Campaign.
[?] Enjoy this episode -- Share this podcast with a friend!
www.HistorysGreatestBattle.com
Social Media:
www.HistorysGreatestBattles.com
Youtube | TikTok
Support The Show:
https://coindrop.to/themistocles
Previous Episode
The Battle of Panipat, 1526. Moghuls Use Gunpowder against 1,000 War Elephants, Start of Moghul Dynasty, Taj Mahal.
With his victory at Panipat, Babur forged the Moghul dynasty, an empire of unimaginable wealth and power that reshaped the destiny of India. For two centuries, its rulers commanded vast armies, built wonders that defied time, and presided over a civilization unmatched in splendor. But even the mightiest of empires must bow to the wheel of history, and in the 18th century, the Moghul dynasty fell, swept aside by the relentless advance of British colonial domination.
Panipat. April, 21 1526.
Hindustani Forces: ~ 40,000 Soldiers and up to 1,000 War Elephants.
Moghul Forces: ~ 10,000 Afghan Soldiers and up to 5,000 Allied Soldiers.
Additional Reading and Episode Research:
- Beveridge Translation: The Babur-nama in English: Memoirs of Babur.
- Lamb, Harold. Babur the Tiger.
- Lane-Poole, Stanley. Medieval India under Mohammedan Rule.
- Williams, L.F. An Empire Builder of the Sixteenth Century.
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Next Episode
The Battle of Manzikert, 1071. Power Falls from West to East. Islamic Victory Sparks Crusades Decades Later.
The defeat at Manzikert broke the spine of Byzantine military power. Anatolia, the empire’s great reservoir of soldiers, the rugged peasants who had once filled its ranks with unshakable resolve, was lost. From that moment on, the Seljuk Turks ruled Anatolia. The empire’s heartland, the source of its warriors, its grain, and its lifeblood, was now under the crescent banner. The empire shrank, a shadow of its former self. Byzantium clung to the lands immediately surrounding Constantinople, an isolated citadel standing alone against a world that had moved on. Never again would the Byzantine Empire command the fear and respect of its enemies. Its armies, once the envy of the world, became mercenary-driven and hollow. The Byzantines would linger on, but as a diminished power, unable to recapture the military glory that had once defined them.
Manzikert. 1071 A.D.
Byzantine Forces: ~ 40,000 Men.
Turkish Forces: ~ 40,000 Men.
Additional Reading and Episode Research:
- Friendly, Alfred. The Dreadful Day: The Battle of Manzikert, 1071.
- Fuller, J.F.C. A Military History of the Western World.
- Jenkins, Romilly. Byzantium: The Imperial Centuries, A.D. 610-1071.
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History's Greatest Battles - The Dual Battles of Jena and Auerstadt, 1806. Napoleon's High-Water Mark. Prussia's Defeat Sparks Reforms - Becomes the World's Greatest Military Institution of the 19th Century.
Transcript
Thanks for tuning in to this episode of History's Greatest Battles. As always, if you know somebody that enjoys this genre of history, please share the podcast with them. First off, my apologies for the few week delay, the two week delay in episodes. I've just returned from a couple weeks in Italy with my wife exploring battlefields, early Etruscan sites, and Roman areas of interest in preparation for Season 2.
Secondly, in today's episode, we're going to explore one of the most fascinati
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