Jena - Vierzehnheilligen

Outside the village church is a memorial to the fallen on both sides.


The initial French attack ran out of steam just short of the village of Vierzehnheilligen. As Napoleon reorganized his army to continue the attack, Marshal Ney arrived on the field with part of his corps. He immediately attacked and quickly became isolated and in danger of being destroyed. Napoleon was forced to commence his attack early in order to save Ney.


This photo is taken from Dornberg Ridge. Amongst the woods to the left of the road is the village of Vierzehnheilligen. It was over this ground that Marshal Ney made his unwise attack. This was also the scene of Marshal Murat’s famous, and very successful, cavalry charge.


The village church was both a strongpoint during the battle, and a hospital immediately afterwards.


The village centre was the scene of the heaviest fighting and changed hands many times during the day.


Vierzehnheilligen from the west. Ney led his ill fated attack from right to left. On the left of the photo the Prussian infantry formed line to exchange fire with the French holding the village, and lost heavily.


Marshal Murat led his charge across this ideal cavalry ground from right to left towards the village of Klein Romstadt (centre left)


Our tour leader, Alan Rooney, explains the final phase of the battle. The Prussian general Ruchel led his troops forward from Gross Romstadt (centre) to delay the French pursuit and allow the remainder of the Prussian army to withdraw. He was soon overrun by the French cavalry and infantry and joined the rout. Alan’s concentration is distracted by three loud combine harvesters who have just moved out of sight to the left.