1806_engl

Dear Michael, Thank you for your documentary. It is well done and necessary. I visited Jena in 2006 for the Bicenteniary as a reenactor participant. When I visited the museum at Hossenhausen the display seemed disjointed and incomplete.To bad a video like yours wasn't available to put things in perspective.I was also able to see the Kripendorf Windmill before it was completely demolished by a freak windstorm that moved acrossed Europe tearing down many powerlines only months after the event. The field of Napoleonics need more visual presentatios regarding the battles of Wagram, Marengo, Friedland, Lepzig, Borodino as well as lesser known battles. Again, thank you for your efforts. Sincerely, Scott

Dear Michael,

the unknown soldier was from a recent book of Holger Nowak, who had been supporting my project. I think he used the book of Goltz, "Von Roßbach bis Jena" (1906) as a source, but I am not 100% sure. It could also be from Curt Jany's "Gefechtsformen der Infantrie".

The first was an analyst of the longtime causes of the battle's outcome, whereas the latter is depicting the history and development of the prussian reglement until 1806 in detail. Jany does use a lot of contemporary quotes, but in his book you will rather find officers reports, no soldiers.

It is true, the unknown prussian soldier was probably not a combatant at Vierzehnheiligen. His statement was used by the author to point out the inefficiency of prussian volley fire in combat, among other statements. No idea where it appeared first. It could have been written under the impression of the revolutionary wars in France or during the prussian campaign in Poland. Still I felt keen on using it, because the prussian shooting in 1806 didnt really change since these wars and it makes a perfect point. However all other quotes in my movie are taken from eyewitness reports.

A great video Chertzel!
Just a question about the quotation from the "unknown infantryman" where does this come from... is it from the Napoleonic period, or is it maybe from earlier times as Oliver Schmidt suggested on the Napoleon series discussion forum?

This is absolutely superb - gives real atmosphere to an interesting and illuminating movie. More, please.....