THE 1812 CAMPAIGN

To define the content of the web site, and thus the structure of the web site and the role, location and character of each web maps within the site, an analysis of the Campaign and the factors that played a role in the progress of the Campaign course is needed.
This analysis is based upon a summary of the 1812 Campaign as being published on the Internet. (Xenophon Group International, 2000,
url: http://www.xenophongi.org/milhist/napoleon/napoleonenc.htm).
The summary is based upon a large number of publications mentioned in the article's reference list.

1.0 Campaign Phases and Periods

The 1812 Campaign can be subdivided into two major Campaign Phases (Clauswitz, 1843):

A. The French Offensive (24 June 1812 - 17 October 1812)

B. The French Retreat (18 October - 11 December 1812)

The 1812 campaign can be further sub-divided into 5 periods.

The French Offensive (4 Periods):

A1. Period 1 (June 24- Mid of July 1812, 4 weeks)
A2. Period 2 (Mid of July -August 8, 1812, 3 weeks)
A3. Period 3 (August 8- September 15, 1812, 5 weeks)
A4. Period 4 (Sept 15 - October 18, 1812, 5 weeks)

The French Retreat (1 period)

B1. Period 5 (October 18 - December 11, 7 weeks)

During each period a number of major events took place. These events could have a military character such as a battle, but also events with a non-direct military character the Campaign course.

The division by Clauswitz in Campaign periods shows that time can be considered as a important factor in the content definition of the presentation.

1.1 Important events per period

The course of a military campaign is defined by events caused by political and/or military decisions of all involved parties. Also other factors, that can be influenced by human decisions such such as equipment and food supply and forcesplay a role .
However, in the case of the 1812 Campaign a number of other factors played a decisive role that had a decisive influence on the course of the Campaign, but which could not be controlled by humans. The outbreak of diseases and the extreme climate conditions had a disastrous effect on the effectiveness of Napoleon's troops. It is for this reason that also such events may be considered as one of the major events during specific periods.

1.1.1 Important events Period 1 (June 24- July mid, 4 weeks)

Napoleon, June 24 - June 29 (from Niemen River ? Vilna)
MacDonald, June 24, (from Niemen River ? Riga)

Eugene, June 24 - July mid (from Niemen river south ? direction Napoleon's main force)
Others June 24 - July mid (from south ? direction Napoleon main force)

Napoleon, June 29 - July mid (Mid of July -August 8, 1812, 3 weeks)
Oudinot, June 29 - July mid (from Vilna ? northward to Solock)
Davout, June 29 - July mid (from Vilna ? southward to Minsk)

Other events:

Number of men, killed or died by dysentery, tyfus or enteric fever or "marauded" at July mid: 80,000!
Summer temperature extremely high.

1.1.2 Important events Period 2 (Mid of July -August 8, 1812, 3 weeks)

Napoleon, July mid -August 8 (from Vilna ? Vitebsk)
MacDonald, July mid - July 24 (? Riga)

Oudinot, July mid - July 24 (from Solock ? Polotsk )
Davout, July mid - July 24 (from Minsk ? Mogilev)

Oudinot, July 24- August 8 (from Solock ? Polotsk )
Davout, July 24 - August 8(from Minsk ? Mogilev)

Other events:

Napoleon starts to loose control on his own troups

1.1.3 Important events Period 3 (August 8- September 15, 1812, 5 weeks)

Batlle of Smolensk, 16th August
Batlle of Polotsk, 17th August
Battle of Borodino, 3th September
French troops march into Moscow, 15th September

Other events: Moscow set on fire at retrieval of Russian troops
Napoleon arrives with only 90,000 troops

1.1.4 Important events Period 4 (September 15- October 23, 1812, 5 weeks)

Batlle of Valuntino, 18th October
Second Battle of Polotsk, 18th October

Other events: Napoleon remains the wole period at Moscow, 12000 re-inforcements reach Moscow during this period, 10000 die during the same period of typhus and other diseases.

1.1.5 Important events Period 5 (October 18 - December 11, 7 weeks)

Batlle of Viazma, 3th November
Batlle of Krasnoi, 14th November
Batlle of Berezina River Crossing, 27th November

Other events:
29 November: 25000 Nap's troops arrive at Vilna, typhus disease strikes again, only 3000 survive
5 december: Napoleon leaves his troops

2.0 Some statistics:

Number of troops:

At start of campaign: 610,000 total loss 552,000

182,000 horses, 167000 lost

1,372 artillery pieces, 1,200 lost

2.1 Other statistics:

3.0 Reasons of failure

q In adequate transportation system based upon horses and oxes
q Bad condition of roads and bridges
q Bad communication between commanders
q Wheather conditions under-estimated by Napoleon
q Sub-zero temperature during Napoleon defeat
q Bad moral under Nap's troops
q Typhus and other diseases
q Napoleon's un-realistic appraisal of the international diplomatic situation
q Napoleon's "cultural" blindness to comprehend the Russians