Berezina 1812

Napoleon’s Hollow Victory

Alexander Mikaberidze, Mr Adam Hook

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English

Osprey
04 April 2023

History; Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900; Napoleonic Wars; Battles & campaigns

Series: Campaign

A superbly illustrated narrative of how Napoleon skilfully extracted his Grande Armee from the clutches of the pursuing Russian armies.

Much has been written about the Battle of the Berezina and the 1812 Russian campaign in general, during which the cold winter devastated the Grande Armée. Historians often praise Napoleon for his actions at the Berezina and attribute his success to a brilliant strategic mind, laying a trap that deceived the Russians and resulted in a remarkable feat in the history of warfare.

Drawing on contemporary sources (letters, diaries, memoirs), and featuring an extensive order of battle, this book recreates in hourly detail one of the great escapes in military history, a story often told with embellishments that require a more critical examination. Although the core of Napoleon’s army escaped, tens of thousands were killed in the battle, trampled in the rush for the bridge, drowned in the icy waters of the Berezina, or captured.

Written by an acknowledged expert on the period, and using a broad range of sources from all sides, this title brings to life in stunning visual detail, using maps, battlescene artworks and period illustrations, the events of late November 1812, as Napoleon’s retreating, desperate Grand Armée extricated itself from the clutches of the Russian armies under Kutuzov, Wittgenstein and Chichagov in an epic feat of heroism and masterful tactics.

By: Alexander Mikaberidze
Illustrated by: Mr Adam Hook
Imprint: Osprey
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Volume: 383
Dimensions: Height: 248mm, Width: 184mm, Spine: 25mm
Weight: 454g
ISBN: 9781472850188
ISBN 10: 1472850181
Series: Campaign
Pages: 96
Publication Date: 04 April 2023
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

ORIGINS OF THE CAMPAIGN CHRONOLOGY OPPOSING COMMANDERS French and allied Russian OPPOSING FORCES The Grande Armée Russian Orders of battle OPPOSING PLANS Russian strategy Napoleon’s strategy THE CAMPAIGN Day one: 26 November 1812 Day two: 27 November 1812 Day three: 28 November 1812 AFTERMATH THE BATTLEFIELD TODAY BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX

Alexander Mikaberidze is Professor of History and the Ruth Herring Noel Endowed Chair at Louisiana State University Shreveport. He is an internationally acclaimed historian of the Napoleonic Wars, and the author and editor of two dozen books, including The Napoleonic Wars: A Global History (Oxford, 2020) and a trilogy on Napoleon's invasion of Russia.

Reviews for Berezina 1812: Napoleon’s Hollow Victory

The author is a knowledgeable guide to a campaign which, as it did not involve British troops, is not particularly familiar to the general reader. * Army Rumour Service *