19/10/2026
The 51ème de Ligne at Jena 2026
To mark the 220th anniversary of the Battle of Jena-Auerstädt, the 51e took part in the commemorative celebrations.
During the field battle, we were deployed in the Austerlitz Battalion, commanded by Jakub Samek, where we formed the fourth platoon within our second division (57th and 51st Line Regiments), taking part in the battle alongside over 1,200 re-enactors from across Europe.
Our battalion consisted of 120 riflemen divided into six platoons, and it was an honour to lead the attacking column alongside the eagle.
Despite the rain, the Empire prevailed over the Prussian army, and our grenadiers paid tribute to the 51ème de Ligne, which was historically present on the battlefield, sustained by modest bonfires and special moments shared with camaraderie and enthusiasm.
Historically, the 51st took part in the battle by deploying in support of Davout’s left flank at Auerstädt, at a crucial and desperate moment in the unequal engagement. Our Regiment, commanded by Colonel Baille, was part of the Debilly Brigade, which in turn was integrated into the Morand Division within Davout’s Third Corps. The Morand Division arrived on the battlefield at Auerstädt, near the village of Hassenhausen, to support the Gudin and Friant Divisions, which were holding their ground against fierce attacks. The division’s intervention proved decisive in repelling the Prussian offensive, despite the enemy’s clear numerical superiority, turning the day into an unexpected victory that earned Davout the title of Duke of Auerstädt.
The fighting was close-quarters and fierce, with a heavy toll by the end of the day: the 51st, which had to repel the Prussian infantry’s offensive and subsequently the charges of the Prussian cavalry, lost several hundred men, with entire companies decimated, five officers killed in action, one officer who died of his wounds, and eight officers wounded in action. The regiment suffered the loss of its eagle, which was captured by the Prussians during the frenzied fighting on the left flank at Hassenhausen, and was subsequently recovered.
“The 51st, though pounded by enemy artillery which was sowing panic amongst its ranks, bravely withstood a swift combined cavalry charge and infantry attack. A terrible melee ensued, but the enemy infantry was almost immediately routed and driven back in disarray. The valiant General Debilly lost his life in this final battle. The King of Prussia, with part of his reserves commanded by Kalkreuth, made a final attempt against Aforand’s division, but without success. [...] On 28 October, Battalion Commander Gallo and Captain Bony were rewarded for their excellent conduct: the former with the rank of colonel, the second with that of battalion commander”.
From: “History of the 51st Line Infantry Regiment, Achille Paul Arsène Painvin” (pages 262, 263).
Although the 51st Line Regiment distinguished itself at Auerstädt, the battalions flags and its official honours traditionally bear the inscription ‘Jéna’, as the entire military operation of 14 October was referred to by that name in the Empire’s official bulletin.
At Auerstädt, the French (27,000 men) suffered around 7,000 casualties, whilst the Prussians (64,000 men) suffered around 10,000 killed and wounded, as well as 3,000 prisoners.
Together with Napoleon’s victory at Jena on the same day, the Battle of Auerstädt led to Prussia’s military collapse and the subsequent entry of the French into Berlin on 27 October 1806.
A moving experience. The Jena Campaign 2026, marking the 220th anniversary of the battle, has come to an end. Major anniversaries are few and far between, occurring only once every ten years; we hope to be present at the next edition too, ‘Toujours En Avant’.
‘At Jena, Napoleon fought a battle he could not lose; at Auerstädt, Davout fought a battle he could not win.’
A unique adventure, which we hope to relive soon.
