How large was Napoleon's invasion of Russia?

Napoleon's invasion of Russia involved around 615,000 men, 200,000 horses, and 1,300 guns along with a supply train of 7,848 vehicles.

What happened when Napoleon invaded Russia?

Napoleon invaded Russia on 24 June 1812 but suffered heavy losses as the Russians engaged in a war of attrition. Napoleon won the Battle of Borodino and captured Moscow but was forced to retreat through the deadly Russian winter. The invasion led to the destruction of the Grande Armée and to Napoleon's own downfall.

How many of Napoleon's troops made it out of Russia?

Of Napoleon's initial 615,000 men, less than 100,000 returned from Russia. Of the half-million losses, 380,000 had died, 120,000 were taken prisoner, and 100,000 deserted.

Why did France invade Russia in 1812?

France invaded Russia in 1812 primarily to force it to rejoin the Continental System embargo against Britain.

Napoleon's Invasion of Russia Timeline

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Definition

Napoleon's invasion of Russia, also known as the Second Polish War or, in Russia, as the Patriotic War of 1812, was a campaign undertaken by French Emperor Napoleon I (r. 1804-1814; 1815) and his 615,000-man Grande Armée against the Russian Empire. It was a catastrophic defeat for Napoleon and one of history's deadliest military operations, causing approximately 1,000,000 total deaths.

More about: Napoleon's Invasion of Russia

Timeline

7 Jul 1807
Napoleon and Tsar Alexander I sign the Treaties of Tilsit, entering a Franco-Russian alliance.
31 Dec 1810
Tsar Alexander I pulls Russia out of the Continental System.
24 Jun 1812
Napoleon's massive Grande Armée crosses the Niemen River, beginning the Russian campaign.
28 Jun 1812
Napoleon captures Vilnius.
16 Aug 1812 - 18 Aug 1812
Napoleon fights Barclay de Tolly at the Battle of Smolensk; the French capture the city, but the Russians retreat, continuing their war of attrition.
7 Sep 1812
Napoleon's Grande Armée clashes with the Kutuzov's Russian army at the Battle of Borodino.
14 Sep 1812 - 18 Oct 1812
Napoleon briefly occupies Moscow, which is engulfed in flames. He orders a retreat after failing to secure peace.
24 Oct 1812
Napoleon wins the Battle of Maroyaroslavets but is forced to retreat along the devastated Smolensk route.
9 Nov 1812
Napoleon reaches Smolensk during his retreat from Moscow; his fighting strength has dwindled to 60,000.
26 Nov 1812 - 29 Nov 1812
The Grande Armée completes its dramatic crossing of the Berezina River, narrowly avoiding destruction.
5 Dec 1812
Napoleon heads to Paris, gives control of the Grande Armée to Joachim Murat; the disastrous Russian campaign is over.

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