Battle of Krasnoi

Battle of Krasnoi
11/18/1812 AD defeated

The battle was actually a series of skirmishes fought beginning 15 November during the final stage of Napoleon's retreat from Moscow.

The Russians under General Kutuzov inflicted heavy losses on the remnants of the Grande Armee, which was severely weakened by attrition.

Neither Kutuzov nor Napoleon allowed this clash to escalate into a full battle. Throughout the four days of combat, Napoleon sought to rush his troops, extended in a 50 mile line of march, past the Russians, who were positioned parallel to the highway. Despite the vast superiority of the Russian army, Kutuzov refrained from launching a full offensive as he did not want to risk a pitched battle against Napoleon.

The climax of the engagement occurred on 17 November, when an aggressive feint by the French Imperial Guard induced Kutuzov to delay a potentially decisive final attack. This daring maneuver enabled Napoleon to evacuate a large part of his army before the Russians seized Krasny. Napoleon managed to avoid a complete defeat.

Despite Napoleon's successful rear guard action, overall the encounter was ruinous for the French. The corps of Davout, Eugene, and Ney suffered heavy defeats in individual actions during the four days of fighting.

Russian Cossacks took large numbers of prisoners, and the Grande Armee was forced to abandon much of its remaining artillery and baggage train.

Krasny, Smolensk Oblast

Lattitude: 54.56° N
Longitude: 31.43° E
Region: Russia and Eastern Bloc

Modern Day Russia

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