Close-up of the monument to the Russian soldiers who died during the Battle of Borodino in 1812
The Battle of Borodino (French: Bataille de la Moskowa), fought on September 7, 1812, was the largest and bloodiest single-day action of the Napoleonic Wars, involving more than 250,000 troops and resulting in at least 70,000 casualties. The French Grande Armée under Emperor Napoleon I attacked the Imperial Russian army of General Mikhail Kutuzov near the village of Borodino, west of the town of Mozhaysk, and eventually captured the main positions on the battlefield, but failed to destroy the Russian army. About a third of Napoleon's soldiers were killed or wounded. The Russians' losses were even heavier, but with a large population and the campaign taking place on their own soil, they could more easily replace them. The battle itself ended in disengagement, but strategic considerations and the losses incurred forced the Russians to withdraw on the next day. The battle at Borodino was a pivotal point in the campaign, since it was the last offensive action fought by Napoleon in Russia. By withdrawing, the Russian army preserved its military potential and eventually forced Napoleon out of the country.
Size: 5242px × 3493px
Location: Borodino, Moscow Oblast, Russia
Photo credit: © DE ROCKER / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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