Battle of the Berezina
Russian Campaign · Berezina, near Studianka, Russian Empire
Summary
From 26 to 29 November 1812 on the Berezina in Belarus, Napoleon extracted part of the Grande Armée from traps set by Russian and Austrian armies. Eblé and pontonniers built two makeshift bridges under enemy fire; about 50,000 soldiers crossed the river, but 30,000 were captured or perished. The retreat from Russia became catastrophe.
Historical context
After retreat from Moscow (October 1812), the Grande Armée, reduced to about 80,000 men, fled west pursued by Kutuzov, Chichagov, and Wittgenstein. The Berezina, an unfrozen river, was the last major obstacle before the border. Napoleon had to cross under threat of encirclement by three coalition armies.
Tactics
Napoleon feigned attack on Borisov while Oudinot and Eblé built bridges upstream at Studianka. Pontonniers worked in icy water; Victor's and Oudinot's corps covered the retreat. Bridges, stormed by fugitives, partially collapsed; discipline broke down in confusion.
Consequences
Napoleon and the army's bulk crossed the Berezina but the Grande Armée ceased to exist: fewer than 30,000 men reached Poland. The 1812 catastrophe durably weakened the Empire and encouraged Prussia and Austria to join the Sixth Coalition. Berezina became synonymous with military disaster in French.