Talk:Prince Louis Ferdinand of Prussia (1772–1806)

A bit more balance, please
Military historians have long agreed that one of the main reasons for Saalfeldt being such an unmitigated disaster was Louis Ferdinand's refusal to follow orders (or even suggestions). The portrayal of his military achievements might therefore be given a slightly less siccophantic character. [user:ilja.nieuwland] —Preceding unsigned comment added by Ilja.nieuwland (talk • contribs) 07:04, 17 May 2008 (UTC)

About Louis Ferdinand's military abilities and his death
1. I do not know about his military experience prior to 1806, but at Saalfeld he proved to be anything but a gifted general. He chose to fight a force that was larger then his - 12,800 against his 8,300. He had an advantage in artillery, outgunning the French by almost 4 to 1 (44 Prussian guns against 14 French ones), but he did not use this. He deployed his forces on low ground, with their backs against the Saale river, giving up the high ground to the French while making his retreat very difficult. He might have been a brave soldier, as seen in his death, but he wasn't a good general. Again, I do not know about his previous service. Saalfeld might have been a single mistake, but it was still a large one.

2. Regarding his death, the previous article ("He was killed by Guindet, quartermaster of the French 10th Hussars after Louis Ferdinand refused to surrender.") was too ambiguous. He was killed after refusing surrender, but he was killed in combat. Guindey asked him to surrender, Louis Ferdinand refused and attacked the French NCO, wounding him in the face. Guindey sabered him down after that. (Andre Castelot, Napoleon). Also, Castelot gives the name of the French quartermaster as Guindey, not Guindet. Flavius T (talk) 03:46, 14 October 2009 (UTC)Flavius T

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