Statue of Prince Mikhail Illarionovich Golenishchev-Kutuzov, Supreme Commander of the Russian army in Borodino, Russia
Prince Mikhail Illarionovich Golenishchev-Kutuzov (September 16,1745 - April 28, 1813) was the Russian Field Marshal who defeated the Napoleon's Grande Armee during Napoleon's invasion of Russia of 1812, the decisive turning point of the Napoleonic Wars. When Napoleon invaded Russia in 1812, Michael Andreas Barclay de Tolly (then Minister of War) chose to follow the scorched earth principle and retreat rather than to risk a major battle. His strategy aroused grudges from most of the generals and soldiers, notably Prince Pyotr Bagration. Therefore, when Kutuzov was appointed commander-in-chief and arrived to the army on August 17, he was greeted with delight. Within two weeks Kutuzov decided to give major battle on approaches to Moscow. Two huge armies clashed near Borodino on 7 September 1812 in what has been described as the greatest battle in human history up to that date, involving nearly a quarter of a million soldiers. The result of the battle was inconclusive, with a quarter of the French and half of the Russian army killed or wounded. After the famous conference at the village of Fili, Kutuzov fell back on the strategy of his predecessor: withdraw in order to save the Russian army as long as possible. This came at the price of losing Moscow, whose population was evacuated. Having retreated along the Kaluga road and replenished his ammunitions, he forced Napoleon into retreat in the Battle of Maloyaroslavets. The old general's cautious pursuit evoked much criticism, but ultimately only a small remnant (93,000 of the 690,000 men) of the Grand Army returned to Prussian soil alive. Hence the Russian general's caution was thoroughly vindicated. Kutuzov now held the rank of Field Marshal and had been awarded the victory title of His Serene Highness Knyaz Smolensky - having achieved this title for a victory over part of the French army at Smolensk in November 1812.
Size: 5242px × 3494px
Location: Borodino, Moscow Oblast, Russia
Photo credit: © DE ROCKER / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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