As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Purchases made through qualifying Amazon links may earn Historical Bookshelf a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read the Amazon affiliate disclosure.

Home / Books / The Battle of the Berezina
The Battle of the Berezina cover

Book

The Battle of the Berezina

by Richard Woodman

Book 14 in the Campaign Chronicles series.

Buy the book from:

Audio available 4.4

In November 1812, Napoleon’s retreating army reached the Berezina River while Russian forces attempted to close the remaining route west. A thaw had broken the ice, the existing bridge was destroyed and exhausted troops, civilians and stragglers crowded the banks as French engineers built emergency crossings under pressure.

The study follows the deception, bridge construction and fighting that allowed Napoleon and much of his organised army to escape. Although thousands died or were abandoned, the crossing frustrated the Russian attempt to destroy the Grande Armée completely and became one of the retreat from Moscow’s most contested episodes.