Battle of Vyazma
Battle of Viazma on 22 October (3 November) 1812 label QS:Len,"Battle of Vyazma"
This map denotes the positions of the Russian and French armies at 10am, as the corps of Davout is encircled by the Russians. That portion of Davout's corps which broke ranks and fled in panic is positioned toward the north of the main road. The French IV Corps of Eugene and the V Corps of Poniatowski are marching east to rescue Davout's troops. The III Corps of Ney is positioned to the west of the battlefield, preparing to assume the Grande Armee's rear guard duties.
The retreat of Napoleon from Russia, 3 November 1812.
Монета Банка России — из недрагоценного металла (сталь с никелевым гальваническим покрытием) номиналом 5 рублей. «Сражение под Вязьмой». Серия: «Сражения и знаменательные события Отечественной войны 1812 года и заграничных походов русской армии 1813-1814 годов». Реверс.
Battle of Vyazma
Battle of Vyazma
Battle of Vyazma
Battle of Vyazma
Данное фото было использовано в статье «Гесс, Петр» опубликованной в седьмом томе «Военной энциклопедии», который был издан книгоиздательским товариществом И. Д. Сытина в 1912 году в столице Российской империи городе Санкт-Петербурге.
Historical Overview
The Battle of Vyazma, occurred at the beginning of Napoleon's retreat from Moscow. In this encounter, a Russian force commanded by General of the Infantry Miloradovich pressed and inflicted heavy losses on the rear guard of the Grande Armée. The Grande Armée was retreating back along the already devastated road, experiencing a shortage of food, a consequence of the Battle of Maloyaroslavets. Although the French thwarted Miloradovich's goal of encircling and destroying the corps of Marshal Davout, they withdrew in a partial state of disorder due to ongoing Russian harassment and heavy artillery bombardments, and the town of Vyazma itself was captured in heavy fighting by Miloradovich's troops, namely the 11th Infantry Division under the command of Major General P. Choglokov and the Cossacks of Ataman Platov. In addition to his four corps, Miloradovich also coordinated General Paskevich's 26th Division and those Cossacks around Vyazma. The French were driven out of all their defensive positions during the battle. The French reversal at Vyazma, although indecisive, was significant due to its damaging morale impact on several corps of Napoleon's retreating army, namely, the corps of Davout, Eugène, Marshal Ney, and Prince Poniatowski. From then on, Napoleon's rearguard withdrew in disarray.
Quick Facts
Tsardom of Russia
- Commander: Miloradowitsch
- Strength: ca. 25.000
- Casualties: ca. 2.000
Grande Armée
- Commander: Louis Davout
- Strength: ca. 35.000
- Casualties: ca. 6.000
Strategic Context
Harassing and damaging the French rearguard during retreat.
Related Literature
Historical Locations
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