Plan of the Battle of Beresina (26th-29th November, 1812) during Napoleon's retreat from Russia. Shows the Russian and French positions.



The crossing of the Beresina River was a critical moment during Napoleon's retreat from Moscow. The French had hoped to cross the frozen river quickly and continue their march to safety in Poland, but the normally-frozen river had thawed, preventing an easy retreat.



Hoping to finally destroy the French army, a Russian force of 64,000 men advanced on the river under General Wittgenstein and Admiral Chicagov.



Through the heroic efforts of French and Dutch engineers, two makeshift bridges were constructed across the river while a frantic rearguard action held off the Russian advance. The French army suffered severe losses, but did eventually make it across the river thanks in large part to four Swiss regiments who bravely held the bridgehead against ferocious Russian advances.



Original hand-colour. [RUS2529]