All Battles

Battle of Smolensk

1812 • Smolensk Belagerungsschlacht

Historical Overview

First major pitched battle; Russians burned the city during retreat.

Quick Facts

Outcome:French victory.

Grande Armée

  • Commander: Napoleon Bonaparte
  • Strength: ca. 175.000
  • Casualties: ca. 8.500

Tsardom of Russia

  • Commander: Barclay de Tolly
  • Strength: ca. 130.000
  • Casualties: ca. 12.000

Strategic Context

Struggle for the "Gateway to Moscow" and vital supply depot.

Related Literature

Cover of Trafalgar: Great Battles and Sieges

Trafalgar: Great Battles and Sieges

British HistoryNon-fictionNavy

English
Napoleonic Era
Cover of Die Schlacht: Waterloo 1815

Die Schlacht: Waterloo 1815

Non-fictionNapoleonFrench History

German
Napoleonic Era

Historical Locations

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