Battle of Maloyaroslavets
Maloyaroslavets, Russia
What happened
Napoleon's French and Italian troops fought the Russian army of Mikhail Kutuzov. After leaving Moscow, Napoleon's army tried to head south through Kaluga. French troops crossed the river at Maloyaroslavets on a pontoon bridge, and the town changed hands again and again as both sides sent in more men. That evening Kutuzov arrived and pulled back toward Kaluga instead of fighting another day.
Why it matters
The French held the town, but the Russians had blocked the southern road. Napoleon had to retreat along the same ruined road through Smolensk that his army had used on the way to Moscow.
What came next
Napoleon decided on 26 October to retreat by way of Mozhaisk and Borodino. His army fought at Vyazma and Krasnoi, then crossed the Berezina in late November.
Did you know?
During the fighting the town changed hands no fewer than eight times.
Timeline
- 24 October 1812Battle of Maloyaroslavets.
- 26 October 1812Napoleon decides to retreat via Mozhaisk.
- 3 November 1812Battle of Vyazma.
- 15 November 1812Battle of Krasnoi.
- 26–29 November 1812Battle of the Berezina.