Battle of Leipzig - one of the major battles of the period of the Napoleonic wars.It took place in Saxony 4 - October 7, 1813 contender in the battle were Napoleon's troops and the army of the sixth anti-French coalition.
Background Battle
Russian campaign of Napoleon in 1812, ended in complete failure.This led to the creation of the opponents of the emperor sixth anti-French coalition.It is composed of Russia, England, Prussia, Spain, Portugal, Sweden.
first major battle between the rivals took place under Bautzen, the winner of which came the French army.The sixth anti-French coalition troops managed to defeat Napoleon at Grosberenom, Katzbach, and Dennewitz Kulm.In 1813, the Allies launched an offensive on Dresden and Saxony and soon took the famous battle of Leipzig.
situation on the eve of battle
In order to understand the reasons for the retreat of Napoleon and defeat his army, consider the situation in which a battle of Leipzig.1813 became heavy enough for Saxony.In the fall of this territory were advancing allied armies 3: North (under the command of the Swedish crown prince J. Bernadotte), Bohemian (Austrian Field Marshal K. Shvartserber) g and Silesian (Prussian general Blucher G.).Also, to the battle arrived, and the Polish Army (Gen. L. Benningsen), temporarily located in the reserve.
Napoleon originally hoped to strike disconnect the troops, but the rapidly changing environment, the lack of effort and time forced him to abandon his intentions.The army of the French emperor was placed in the center of Leipzig.
composition and strength of opponents
A person unfamiliar with the history of this battle, the question may arise: "Why is the battle of Leipzig called the battle of the nations?".The fact that on the side of Napoleon, the conflict involved the French, the Poles, the Dutch, the Italians, the Belgians and the Saxons.At the same time as part of the allied forces were Austrians, Swedes, the peoples of the Russian Empire, the Prussians, Bavarians.
French army consisted of 200 thousand soldiers and 700 guns possessed.The Bohemian fought about 133 thousand soldiers, who had 578 ammunition.Silezkaya army included 60,000 soldiers and North - 58 thousand, which is located 315 guns and 256, respectively.The Polish army was 54 thousand soldiers and 186 ammunition.
Events October 4
Battle of the nations in 1813 near Leipzig that started at the site where the army was stationed Bohemia.Even before the battle, it was divided into three groups.The main impact of the French was to apply the first part under the command of Mikhail B. Barclay de Tolly.During the morning of October 4 attack, this group seized a number of towns.But the Austrians refused MBBarclay de Tolly to support and they were forced to retreat.
Cavalry Corps under the command of Napoleon Murat started a breakthrough in an area.Wachau.With Cossack regiment, led by IEEphraim, was part of the army of Alexander I, the French army was put back to the starting position.Other
Napoleon repulsed the attack of the enemies in the area and Mekkerna Viderits.At nightfall, the fighting ceased in all directions.Enemy positions by the end of the battle does not actually changed.During battles rivals have lost approximately 30 thousand. People each.
the first day
the first day of the Battle of Leipzig ended in a draw.Both sides get a private victory (Napoleon's army in the Wachau Lidenau and allied - for Mekerne), which did not affect the overall situation.But the position of anti-French coalition troops was better due to the fact that they came to the aid of the Bennigsen and Bernadotte.Napoleon could only rely on the small enclosure of the Rhine.
Events October 5
this day of hostilities were not conducted.Only in the northern army Blucher seized villages and Oytritssh Golis and came close to Leipzig.During the night Napoleon army regrouped in order to bring it to the city.As a result, the French army on the defensive arc placed near Leipzig.In turn, the Napoleonic army allies surrounded by a semicircle of Silesian - in the north, Poland and North - East Bohemia - south.
Events October 6
Battle of Leipzig continued morning of the 6th of October.On this day, the French army on the defensive, and the loss of the important points of a successful counter-attack.The psychological state of Napoleon's troops blew a sudden shift of the Saxon Cavalry Division and Württemberg on the side of the Allies.Their betrayal led to the depopulation of the central position, but the emperor was able to quickly throw the reserve and to stabilize the situation.Army attack anti-French coalition, too, is not very successful.This was due to different times and inconsistent offensive at the inactivity of spare parts.
main battles in this day held by Probstgeyde, Tsukelgauzenom, Goltsgauzenom, Dёzenom, Paunsdorf and Lёsnigom.By the end of the day the French managed to hold positions on almost all the wings, except for the center.But they have lost almost all their combat kit and Napoleon knew that such a situation will lead to the complete destruction of the army.
Events October 7
morning of October 7 Napoleon's army began to retreat.The Allies were not intended to break the French army on the way to Elster, they sent their forces to storm Leipzig.To do this, they set up three columns, which quickly moved to the city.Locals had requested not to start the battle, but the anti-French coalition demanded the complete surrender of Napoleon.At lunch the Allies stormed the city walls.
French command was deliberately blow up the bridge over the Elster, to cut its army from the Allied and allow her to escape.But it was planted in the air ahead of time and some parts were left in the city.They had to escape by swimming.Many soldiers were killed right in the water.Among them was Marshal J. Poniatowski.Later in the afternoon the army anti-French coalition managed to Leipzig.
Consequences battle
Napoleon Total losses amounted to about 60 thousand. Soldiers, about the same number of soldiers lost anti-French coalition.Imperial troops managed to avoid total defeat largely due to the fact that the actions of the allies were not coherent and European rulers often could not reach a consensus.
are crucial political consequences, which led the battle of Leipzig.Year 1813 turned out to be quite difficult for Napoleon.For failure in the battle of Leipzig was followed by the collapse of Confederation of the Rhine.After the liberation of the German military action spread to the territory of France.In March, the allies had taken Paris, and the country has seen the restoration of the monarchy.
memory of the Battle of Leipzig
Battle of Leipzig (Battle of nations) is one of the most significant in the history of the Napoleonic Wars.It is also referred to as the "Battle of the Three Emperors»
In memory of this battle in Germany in 1814 was carried out a magnificent celebration.
In 1913, in Leipzig opened a grandiose monument "Monument to the Battle of the Nations."
far from it also built the Holy Temple Aleksievsky where today buried fallen soldiers.It should be noted that at the time of the GDR planned to destroy the monument, as he was considered a glorification of German nationalism.However, over time it began to be perceived as a symbol of friendship with Russia and the authorities have decided to save the monument.
also the 100th anniversary of the battle was released commemorative coin (3 marks).
Today, Leipzig is located several museums dedicated to the history of the great battle.
