On the night of June 12, 1812, Napoleon’s army crossed the Neman River, thereby opening another chapter in the history of Russia. “Three more years, and I am the master of the whole world!” ... And I will crush Russia! ” - said the great commander before the offensive. Did the Emperor really believe in his invincibility? Why did he start a war? Was Moscow his goal? Historians do not have clear answers to these questions, despite the availability of officially accepted versions.
Shortly before the start ...
The Tilsit peace, signed by the Russian Emperor to save his army on June 27, 1807, was not just humiliating for Russia. By joining the blockade of Britain, he hit the economy. And Alexander I, having lost from 15 to 30 thousand soldiers near Friedland, according to various estimates, realized that the offensive war against France would have to be postponed. Five years has been preparing for it:
- Strengthening the defense line from Riga to Kiev, the construction of the famous fortress Bobruisk;
- Establishment of military intelligence;
- Detailed guerrilla warfare planning.
Interesting fact: Russian diplomat (spy) Chernyshev saved Napoleon's sisters during a fire in Paris on July 1, 1810, which earned him his favor. Thanks to Chernyshev, the Russian Emperor knew a great deal in detail. Information about the quantity, deployment and supply of the "Great" army of Napoleon was supplemented by the personal thoughts of the enemy commander. Perhaps this is precisely what lies in Alexander I’s confidence in victory and unwillingness to fulfill the conditions of the Tilsit peace.
"Napoleonic" plans for Russia
A distinctive feature of the Great Army was its “patchwork”.Less than half of the soldiers were French, and the rest were a gathering from all over Europe. Of course, Bonaparte could not understand what this situation was leading to. If the French were grumbling, what about the Prussians, the Austrians and all the others who were forced to go to this war?
He spoke out loud about his strength, but intuitively felt that it was not worth invading Russia. However, Alexander deliberately provoked him. "If the Emperor Napoleon starts a war against me, it is possible, and even likely, that he will beat us ... The Frenchman is brave, but long hardships and a bad climate tire and discourage him."
Obviously, Napoleon did not want to see the enemy in the person of Russia, but an ally, and, possibly, on an equal footing. But his prospects were doubtful: Europe was not united. Great Britain not only did not weaken, but even gained strength, gaining new suppliers of grain in Asia and destroying the French fleet in the Battle of Trafalgar.
The war with the Russian Empire was an “exam”, after the passing of which Napoleon could lay claim to world domination.
Moscow or Petersburg?
Having crossed the Neman, the "Great" army, consisting of almost half a million soldiers, could no longer stop. The ancient "Scythian" tactics of guerrilla warfare did not allow Napoleon to stand still. In which direction did you need to move? Only after the Russian troops. Of course, Alexander did not think that he would have to retreat so far, but both sides had nowhere to go.
Napoleon’s army not only attacked Moscow
At the same time, the corps of Marshals MacDonald and Oudinot tried to break through to Riga through Petersburg.But 18 thousand Russian soldiers under the command of General Essen held back 32 thousand MacDonald soldiers until the fall of 1812. And in early November, the enemy was driven back by Wittgenstein’s corps to Polotsk, finally ending the Petersburg attack.
Interesting fact: Napoleon twice unsuccessfully married to the sisters of the Russian Tsar - in 1808 and 1810.
Why did Napoleon declare war on Russia?
It is worth sticking to the official versions, reflecting, perhaps, the objective state of affairs. For France, the causes of the war were:
- Obstacle in the person of Russia to achieve domination "over the whole world";
- Refusal to comply with the terms of the Tilsit Peace by the Russian Emperor;
- The refusal of Alexander I to marry his sisters to Napoleon;
- The unwillingness of the Russian Tsar to help France in its struggle with England.
Why Moscow?
In this way, Napoleon planned the offensive in three directions: south, central and north. However, hoping for the surrender of Russia or the conclusion of peace, he made no serious efforts anywhere except the road to Moscow. The capture of the ancient capital was only a means to force Alexander to peace, but by no means a goal.
Interesting fact: almost 100 thousand captured French decided not to return to their homeland, but remained to live in Russia.
Russian troops retreated to the east, Napoleon could not lead the army anywhere else - he would open the right flank. Therefore, he had to unsuccessfully catch up first with Barclay de Tolly, and then with Kutuzov. The campaign to Moscow, which was supposed to be a way of putting pressure on Alexander, turned into an absurdity.For the same reason, there was no real help to the MacDonald and Oudinot corps. This stopped the French advance towards Petersburg at the beginning of the war.
