Читать книгу Battlefields - Michael Rayner - Страница 21

Early on 15 October the French began to follow up their success. One by one the great fortresses along the Elbe surrendered. By early November Prussia and Saxony had lost 25,000 men, killed or wounded, some 4000 guns and 20,000 horses. More than 100,000 men were prisoners of the French. The military might of both countries had been destroyed. In recognition of Marshal Davout’s victory at Auerstädt, III Corps was accorded the honour of leading the army into Berlin.

From the point of view of strategy and tactics there have been few victories so decisive. However, Napoleon himself knew better than most at the time that, from the political point of view, he still had much to do. For the destruction of British credit was essential for his dream of a Europe united under France. This he hoped to achieve with his Continental System, which both Prussia and Saxony were obliged to accept.