✦ History

Part of Napoleonic Wars

French invasion of Russia

June 24 – December 14, 1812 · Moscow

Result Russian victory

Napoleon invaded Russia with about 600,000 men and took Moscow, but had to retreat in winter. Most of his army was lost, which began the collapse of his empire.

On the map Overview Contemporaries

French Empire and allies

Coalition

France
Duchy of Warsaw Polish troops formed the largest foreign contingent
Confederation of the Rhine German contingents
Kingdom of Prussia Auxiliary corps under the alliance of 1812
Austrian Empire Auxiliary corps under Schwarzenberg
Kingdom of Saxony
Kingdom of Italy (Napoleonic)
Kingdom of Naples
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Kingdom of Bavaria
Kingdom of Westphalia
Grand Duchy of Hesse
Grand Duchy of Berg
Grand Duchy of Baden
Switzerland
Russian Empire
Napoleon Emperor of the French, Led the Grande Armée into Russia Michel Ney Marshal, Commanded the rearguard on the retreat Louis-Nicolas Davout military commander Joachim Murat Marshal, Commanded the cavalry reserve Karl Philipp, Prince of Schwarzenberg military commander Pierre Augereau military commander Eugène de Beauharnais military commander Jean-Andoche Junot military commander
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Jérôme Bonaparte military commander Jean-Baptiste Bessières military commander
Alexander I of Russia Emperor of Russia, Refused to negotiate after the fall of Moscow Mikhail Kutuzov Commander-in-chief, Fought at Borodino and pursued the retreating French Pyotr Bagration General, Commanded the 2nd Western Army Michael Andreas Barclay de Tolly Minister of War, Commanded the 1st Western Army and led the retreat Levin August von Bennigsen military commander Pavel Chichagov military commander Yefim Chaplits military commander Alexey Andreevich Arakcheyev military commander

Strength and losses

Strength
600,000–685,000
Casualties
580,000–630,000
Deaths
300,000–350,000
Wounded
180,000
Captured
50,000
Strength
571,000–713,000
Casualties
410,000
Deaths
210,000
Wounded
150,000

Units

French Imperial Army (1804–1815) Grande Armée Strength 450,000 Austrian Auxiliary Corps (1812) II Corps (Oudinot, 1812) III Corps (Ney, 1812) IV Corps (Eugène, 1812) VII Corps (Reynier, 1812) X Corps (Grande Armée) Prussian Army I Cavalry Corps (Grande Armée) I Corps (Grande Armée) II Cavalry Corps (Grande Armée) III Cavalry Corps (Grande Armée) IV Cavalry Corps (Grande Armée) IX Corps (Grande Armée) V Corps (Grande Armée) VI Corps (Grande Armée) VIII Corps (Grande Armée) XI Corps (Grande Armée) 1st Infantry Division (France)
Russian 3rd Western Army (1812) Wittgenstein's corps (1812)

Battles and events 27

Key events

1812 27 events

Also involved 23