The last part of our visit to Jena battlefield was to the town of Kapellendorf. This small town is on the extreme west of the battlefield, and is the place where the last Prussian attempt was made to step the French pursuit.
The Prussian general Ruchel arrived on the battlefield with 13,000 men just as the main Prussian army broke and ran. In a very brave, if ill advised, attempt to save the broken army he advanced into the face of the French pursuit.
This monument to Ruchel is sited just outside Kapellendorf on the road to Gross Romstadt and marks the final approach of Ruchel’s division and the centre of his line of attack.
The Kapellendorf Prussian monument is on a hill just east of the town and provides excellent views of the area which was the site of both Murat’s cavalry charge and Ruchel’s doomed attack.
This photo was taken from the monument. The road on the right leads to Gross Romstadt. Ruchel’s division advanced either side of this road until they were crushed by the French pursuit.
Also taken from the monument. The town of Kapellendorf and the hill which Ruchel climbed to launch his attack on Gross Romstedt.
No comments:
Post a Comment