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1812 CAMPAIGN - BORODINO

 
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This map from Beskrovni's atlas depicts several phases of the operations after Kutuzov abandoned Moscow to Napoleon's occupation. The main section shows how Kutuzov initially marched southeastward and then crossed the Moskva river out of reach of the French army in order to shift his base of operations to Tarutino on the Kaluga road. This protected the grain and other supplies southwest of Moscow and also prevented Napoleon from an easy march into Ukraine. At the same time Russian Cossacks invested Moscow to prevent as much French foraging as possible. On 10 October the Russians delivered a surprise attack against an overconfident Murat just north of Tarutino as shown in the inset at upper left. When Napoleon decided to depart he first attempted to march southwest. Fortunately for the Russians Kutuzov reacted barely in time to block Napoleon at the river through the village Maloyaroslavits. After a rather bloody battle there Napoleon was forced back onto the already depleted highway to Smolensk. The inset at lower right shows details of this battle and how Kutuzov barely got around in front of the French.

 
   

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