took place in early August, the Battle of Smolensk in 1812 was the first battle between Russian and French, and although it did not become a pitched battle, but it has become one of the most dramatic events of the war with Napoleon.It's safe to say that this is a clash of armies has initiated fracture during the confrontation.
While the retreat of the Russian army to Moscow has not stopped, however, after the Battle of Smolensk was completed, it took a somewhat different character, and Napoleon began to realize that rapid 'blitzkrieg "will not work, and sooner or later have to find new ways of doingWar and perhaps even the reasons for the truce.
Interestingly, although neither Napoleon nor the commander of the First Western Army Mikhail Barclay de Tolly to conduct battle of Smolensk did not seek to avoid it was almost impossible.Napoleon had to make a break in their rapid advance through Russian territory.Because of the need to ensure food self-sufficiency, the French troops greatly stretched out to the side, and they had to be back to collect in a single fist, at the same time trying to thereby cut off the first western army of Barclay de Tolly from the junction with the Second Army, commanded by Bagration, and at the same timeboth of them from the capital.
Barclay de Tolly is feared to enter into a direct battle with the troops of the French Emperor know how strong and trained his soldiers in such a method of warfare.He did not want this battle to weaken the fighting capacity of the Russian armies, recognizing that the promotion of the enemy to Moscow in any case not be able to stop.However, due to the persistent pressure of the imperial entourage and his own generals, it was hopeful the apparent fragmentation of the French army, he had to settle for the battle of Smolensk.
August 4 fifteen thousandth Russian troops repelled the first blow of the French in Smolensk, restrained their advance and provide an opportunity for the First and Second Western Army, the evening of the same day united in the 120,000th grouping to come to the city and stay on the heights of the right bank of the Dnieperopposite the 200,000th of the French army, to strengthen on the left bank.
the morning Napoleon expected that the Russian troops will go into the field to fight the whole form, but this has not happened.The Russian commander in chief, still wishes to keep the army at any cost and not be cut off from the capital, ordered the retreat to Moscow.In order to cover the retreat and hold back the onslaught of the French troops, were allocated housing Rajewski and Dokhturov and division Neverovsky and Konovitsina which basically and participated in the battle with the French.The loss of Napoleon's army at Smolensk were about 20 thousand people.While the Russian army lost only 10 thousand soldiers.
The next day Valutina Mountain - a village located 10 kilometers from Smolensk, there was a clash between the 3000th detachment of Russian, commanded by Tuchkov, and 40 thousand Frenchmen from the case of General Ney, sent by Napoleon for the purpose of cutting the communication outgoingRussian army.Tuchkov, assess the danger posed to the Russian maneuver Ney, on their own way to the French blocked their small force, take a very good position at the Smolensk road.Thanks to the favorable position of its Tuchkov managed to restrain the French all day, and even occasionally go into a counterattack.During the last one, which took place already in the moonlight, a brave general was wounded by a bayonet, and was captured.
Tuchkova However, efforts were not in vain.Russian army managed to successfully withdraw.Thus, it was concluded Battle of Smolensk, which lasted a total of two days.Smolensk fell, but the Russian army crossed without significant losses across the Dnieper River and stepped into Russia, are ready to continue fighting.
