Yeah I meant to say European nations. That's just a lazy way we use to say if we're talking about more than 3 countries.
You know, Americans love shortcuts, it's our bad habit ;P
Btw was reading about Davout last night, terrible of me to laugh but I admit I chuckled the way the author wrote about Davout like every chapter, Macdonell would wrap up the Marshall's action during quiet time. Every time those report comes up. Davout was either hanging or suppressing the local resurrection. While the others was hitting up the ladies or making profits
Yeah Napoleon was so afraid of Davout being better than him so he put him at the rear of everything or back in France to keep the peace. Battles and Campaigns could of had a different and a more positive course if Davout had a more frontline involvement.
It started from when Napoleon thought he was going to be fighting the main Prussian army but instead he faced a rear guard or something like that at Jena while Davout was at the rear or sent to do something else and then came across the main Prussian army. Davout decided he had to face them and he did at Auerstedt with around 27,000 men at his command. He faced an army of around 60,500. It was a crushing victory for Davout with only 7,420 estimated wounded or dead while the Prussians took 13,000 dead and around 4000 captured.
After that Napoleon knew Davout was going to be great and was scared that he would take his glory and so he made Davout stay at the rear or not even involve him in the campaign.
On that topic and the topic of Leipzig. If Napoleon had used Davout's Corps then the outcome would of been very different as Davout had some of the most experienced troops and his military skills but Napoleon left him out...
