Battle of Craonne

The Battle of Craonne opposed French troops to Blücher's army on the steep plateau overlooking the Aisne. Napoleon, wishing to deny the Allies passage toward Laon, ordered a difficult frontal attack. Ney launched his divisions against entrenched Russian positions. After violent fighting, the French took the plateau, forcing the enemy to fall back.

After Bar-sur-Aube, Napoleon turned north. Blücher advanced on Laon, threatening French communications. Craonne was a natural choke point on the Aisne route. Napoleon sought to pin Blücher there before defeating him at Laon. But terrain was unfavorable: steep, wooded, defended by well-positioned artillery. Ney engaged combat earlier than planned, before full deployment of French forces.

The attack relied on repeated frontal assaults against entrenched Russian positions. French artillery, massed in battery at the center, attempted to weaken enemy lines. Ney launched assault columns without perfect coordination with the Guard. Steep terrain and Russian guns caused heavy losses. Napoleon then committed reserves to decide the affair in the afternoon.

Although tactically victorious, the Battle of Craonne cost the French army dearly. Momentum was broken and very high losses made pursuit difficult. Blücher managed to withdraw in good order toward Laon. This victory without concrete strategic exploitation illustrated the growing wear on the imperial army.