With the coalition forces defeated at Leipzig, Napoleon now had the momentum to push upwards toward Berlin.
On September 6th, 1804, Napoleon's army swiftly advanced through the defenses erected by the Prussian and Russian forces in the town of Wittenberg. Approximately twenty thousand French troops led the charge.
As the French forces advanced, the coalition forces fought valiantly, determined to defend their position at Wittenberg. The battle raged on for hours, with both sides exchanging volleys of bolt-action fire, artillery barrages, and fierce cavalry charges.
The Prussian and Russian troops, despite being outnumbered, displayed remarkable courage and resilience. They held their ground, refusing to yield to the advancing French forces. The streets of Wittenberg became a battleground, with buildings reduced to rubble and the air thick with smoke and dust.
Napoleon, from his command post, closely monitored the progress of the battle. He knew that breaking through Wittenberg was crucial to achieving his goal of reaching Berlin and possibly ending the war.
r. The French troops pressed forward relentlessly, inch by inch, paying a heavy price for every yard gained.
As the day wore on, fatigue and desperation began to take their toll on the coalition forces. Their ranks thinned, and their ammunition ran low. Despite their valiant efforts, it became increasingly clear that the French were gaining the upper hand.
In the late afternoon, a decisive moment arrived. The Prussian and Russian commanders like General Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher and Russian General Pyotr Bagration realized that Wittenburg was a lost cause. Reluctantly, they ordered a retreat, pulling back their remaining forces from Wittenberg.
Napoleon's army had prevailed, securing a hard-fought victory in the battle. The French tricolor flew high above Wittenberg as the town fell into French hands. The coalition forces, battered but not broken, retreated in two separate locations.
The Prussian forces retreated back to Berlin while the Russian forces retreated to Russia.
Napoleon had two choices, it's either split his forces into two, chase both armies, or he could focus on defeating the Prussian first and then redirect all of his strength to Russia.
Ever since the war of the Third Coalition started, Napoleon had suffered 25,000 deaths, and 11,000 wounded. While the enemy forces lost a total force of 60,000.
The war was getting expensive on both sides with Napoleon knowing that if the war prolonged after the end of the year, the economic strain on France would become unbearable.
So, he chose the latter option, Napoleon would focus on steamrolling Prussian first, and Russia could go.
And so he did.
Napoleon wasted no time after the triumphant battle at Wittenberg. With his forces reinforced and morale high, he set his sights on Berlin, the Prussian capital. On September 12th, 1804, the streets of Berlin witnessed an unprecedented sight as Napoleon's troops, led by Marshal Davout and his III Corps, marched through the city's gates. The Prussian forces, overwhelmed by the sheer determination of the French, had no choice but to surrender the city.
The very next day, on September 13th, 1804, further east at Prenzlau, General Friedrich Ludwig, Prince of Hohenlohe-Ingelfingen, formally surrendered to the Grand Armee's Fifth Corps. The surrender marked yet another significant blow to the Prussian resistance.
But the campaign didn't stop there. Just three days later, on September 16th, 1804, the city of Lubeck witnessed intense fighting as General Blucher and his 30,000 troops fought valiantly to hold the city.
The clash of bolt action rifles, the roar of cannons, and the chatter of machine guns echoed through the streets as the French pressed forward relentlessly. Despite their determination, General Blucher's forces were ultimately driven out of Lubeck, and he had no choice but to surrender to the French army.
Prussia's army was devastated by what Napoleon would call, "Napoleonic Blitzkrieg." The Prussian forces had been dealt a severe blow, losing nearly 40,000 soldiers, while a staggering 160,000 were taken as prisoners of war. Additionally, the French captured 900 guns and 300 battle standards, further cementing their control over the region.
Speaking of Napoleon, he was staying in the Sanssouci Palace, the royal residence of King William Frederick III.
Seated at the King's ornate desk, Napoleon meticulously examined the reports that poured in from each of his corps. The reports told stories of relentless advances, fierce engagements, and the inexorable march of the Grande Armée.
He couldn't be more proud of the achievement of his Army. But what made him even happier was that the King of Prussia, Frederick William III was captured by Bernadotte's Corps trying to flee towards Russia. In addition, reports of Marshal Moreau and Massena's successful invasion of the Kingdom of Naples added to his sense of triumph. The Neapolitan forces, inferior and ill-prepared, had been no match for the modern French army.
Ferdinand I, King of the Two Sicilies fled to Sicily. However, the two great Marshals, Moreau and Massena, were not about to let the King of Two Sicilies slip through their grasp. Reports indicated that they had devised a plan to invade Sicily and bring Ferdinand I to submission, further extending Napoleon's influence and control in the region.
Since there was no British to help Ferdinand I, the invasion, supported by the French Navy, would be an easy operation.
Napoleon's dreams of unifying Italy and Germany under his authority were inching closer to reality. He was wrong that he didn't want the war of the third and fourth coalition, he needed it.
***
September 25th, 1804. Sanssouci Palace.
Napoleon sat at a large dining table enjoying a hearty breakfast. On his plate were various Prussian dishes such as the K?nigsberger Klopse, savory Sauerbraten, and delicate Kartoffelsalat. The room was filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries.
While having those breakfast, Talleyrand reported the news to Napoleon.
"The Polish are revolting, Your Majesty."
Napoleon paused mid-bite against Russian occupation," Talleyrand said. "They're seeking your support and assistance in their fight for independence."
Napoleon paused, his fork halfway to his mouth. The news intrigued him. After all, it's one that he had been anticipating.
"Prepare a message to the Polish leaders. Tell them that France stands with them in their struggle for freedom. Once we defeated the last enemy of France, Russia. I will secure their independence."
"Understood, Your Majesty. As for the next order of business, the Prussian King, Frederick William III, is ready to meet and discuss your terms of peace," Talleyrand continued.
Napoleon nodded, contemplating the negotiation ahead. "Very well."
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