History The Napoleonic Wars Questions
The Battle of Berezina was a major military engagement that took place during the Napoleonic Wars. It occurred from November 26 to November 29, 1812, near the Berezina River in present-day Belarus. The battle was fought between the French army, led by Napoleon Bonaparte, and the Russian army, commanded by General Peter Wittgenstein and Admiral Pavel Chichagov. The French forces were attempting to retreat from their failed invasion of Russia, and the Battle of Berezina marked a crucial moment in their retreat. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the French managed to secure a narrow crossing over the river, allowing a significant portion of their army to escape. However, the battle resulted in heavy casualties for both sides, with estimates ranging from 20,000 to 30,000 soldiers killed or captured.