Smolensk, Battle of

Smolensk, Battle of
(1812)
   An indecisive battle on Napoleon Bonaparte ’s march to Moscow. French delays earlier in the campaign allowed the Russians to combine two armies, commanded by Generals Barclay de Tolly and Peter Bagration, at Smolensk, about 280 miles east of Moscow, and the Russian force now numbered about 50,000 men. Napoleon did little on August 15, allowing the Russians to prepare for battle. Battle came the next day as the two sides clashed in the suburbs, each sustaining heavy casualties. On August 17, Napoleon sent three corps against the city walls, but this was ineffective and both sides again sustained heavy losses. A lull on August 18 allowed Bagration to withdraw his army eastward, with Barclay soon following suit. Prompt French action could have been decisive, but General Junot failed to properly pursue and the Russians successfully retired, leaving a burning city to the French. Napoleon considered staying there for the winter, but ultimately marched east toward Borodino and Moscow.
   See also <>; <>.
   FURTHER READING:
    Austin, Paul Britten. 1812: The March on Moscow. London: Greenhill Books, 1993;
    Markham, J. David. Imperial Glory: The Bulletins of Napoleon ’ s Grande Armée 1805–1814. London: Greenhill, 2003.
   J. DAVID MARKHAM

Encyclopedia of the Age of Imperialism, 1800–1914. 2014.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Smolensk — ( ru. Смоленск) is a city in western Russia, located on the Dnieper River, the administrative centre of Smolensk Oblast. Its population in 2003 was estimated as 351,100 (325,137 as of 2002 Census). Situated 360 kilometres (225 mi) west southwest… …   Wikipedia

  • Battle of Kursk — Operation Citadel Part of the Eastern Front of World War II …   Wikipedia

  • Battle of Smolensk — may refer to:* Battle of Smolensk (1812), during Napoleon s invasion of Russia * Battle of Smolensk (1941), encirclement and capture of the Soviet 16th and 20th armies by German Army Group Centre * Battle of Smolensk (1943), recapture of the city …   Wikipedia

  • Battle of Narva (1944) — Battle of Narva Part of Eastern Front (World War II) Narva River: Hermann Castle on the Estonian bank (le …   Wikipedia

  • Battle of the Dukla Pass — Part of the Eastern Front of World War II Date 8 September – 28 October 1944 Location Dukla Pass, present day Slovakia …   Wikipedia

  • Battle of Maloyaroslavets — Part of the French invasion of Russia (1812) Battle of Maloyaroslavets, by Piter von Hess …   Wikipedia

  • Battle of Okinawa — Part of World War II, the Pacific War …   Wikipedia

  • Battle of Monte Cassino — Part of World War II, Italian Campaign Ruins of Cassino town after the battle …   Wikipedia

  • Battle of the Coral Sea — Part of the Pacific Theater of World War II …   Wikipedia

  • Battle of Crete — Part of the Mediterranean Theatre of World War II …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”