Napoleonic Wars: Retreat from Moscow 1812

Summary

In 1812, Napoleon's invasion of Russia led to one of history's most devastating military retreats. Despite initial victories, the French Emperor faced relentless Russian resistance, culminating in Moscow's fiery destruction. As winter approached, Napoleon's army, ill-prepared for the harsh conditions, suffered massive losses during their chaotic retreat. The campaign's failure marked a turning point, weakening Napoleon's empire and emboldening his adversaries.

Takeaways

• ❄️ Napoleon's invasion of Russia in 1812 faced harsh winter conditions that played a significant role in the French army's defeat.
• 🔥 Upon occupying Moscow, Napoleon found the city largely abandoned and soon after, a fire, allegedly started by Russians, destroyed much of the city.
• 📜 Count Fyodor Rostopchin ordered the destruction of Moscow to prevent it from falling into French hands, illustrating Russian resilience.
• 🏰 Napoleon's hope for a peaceful surrender of Moscow was met with silence from Emperor Alexander, leading to a prolonged stay and eventual retreat.
• 🛣️ The French army's retreat from Moscow was marked by a lack of supplies and the beginning of a devastating Russian winter.
• 🐎 The army's horses died in large numbers due to the cold, leading to a breakdown in supply lines and troop morale.
• 👥 Discipline within the Grande Armée deteriorated as the harsh conditions took their toll, with some soldiers abandoning their posts.
• 🌨️ The winter of 1812 was particularly severe, with temperatures dropping to minus 37 degrees centigrade, exacerbating the army's suffering.
• 🛤️ Napoleon's strategic retreat was complicated by Russian forces closing in and cutting off potential supply routes.
• 🌉 The crossing of the Berezina River was a critical moment in the retreat, where Napoleon's engineers built pontoon bridges under extreme conditions to save the army.
• 🏰 Napoleon's eventual departure from the army to return to Paris was seen by some as abandonment, but was necessary for reorganizing and securing his empire.

Q & A

When did Napoleon invade Russia and what was the size of his army?

Napoleon invaded Russia in 1812 with the largest army Europe had ever seen.

What was the outcome of the Battle of Borodino?

Napoleon achieved a costly victory at the Battle of Borodino, which occurred a week before he entered Moscow.

Why did Napoleon enter Moscow to find it mostly abandoned and on fire?

Napoleon entered Moscow to find it mostly abandoned because 90% of its inhabitants had fled, and the city was on fire due to a deliberate scorched-earth policy ordered by Count Fyodor Rostopchin to prevent it from falling into enemy hands.

Why did Napoleon decide to retreat from Moscow?

Napoleon decided to retreat from Moscow due to the lack of a surrender from the Russians, the destruction of the city, the failure to receive a peace offer from Emperor Alexander, and the increasing difficulties of supply lines and the onset of winter.

What was the significance of the Battle of Maloyaroslavets during the French retreat?

The Battle of Maloyaroslavets was significant as it was a hard-won victory for the French, reminiscent of Borodino, and it demonstrated that Kutuzov was effectively blocking Napoleon's path to Kaluga, forcing a retreat along the Smolensk road.

How did the weather conditions affect Napoleon's retreat from Russia?

The weather conditions severely affected Napoleon's retreat, with plummeting temperatures, heavy snowfall, and a lack of proper winter clothing leading to many soldiers freezing to death and the army's morale deteriorating.

What was the fate of Marshal Ney's rearguard during the retreat?

Marshal Ney's rearguard suffered heavily, being reduced to just 800 fighting men after a daring night-crossing of the Dnieper river and constant attacks from Cossacks, but they miraculously rejoined the main army.

Why was the crossing of the Berezina River critical for the survival of the Grande Armée?

The crossing of the Berezina River was critical because it was the only means of escape from the advancing Russian forces. The engineers' construction of pontoon bridges under extreme conditions allowed a portion of the army to cross and escape.

How did Napoleon's presence in Paris after leaving the army affect his reputation among his soldiers?

Napoleon's departure for Paris was seen by some as an act of betrayal, but his generals supported the decision, recognizing the need to rebuild the army and reassure France's allies after the disastrous campaign.

What were the overall losses for the Grande Armée during the Russian campaign?

The Grande Armée suffered immense losses, with approximately half a million men, a quarter of a million horses, and 1,000 cannon lost. Of every 12 men who entered Russia, only two returned alive.