The Eagle's Nest - Chapter 0
CHAPTER 0:
June 24, 1812, on the banks of the Niemen. On the bridges, 650,000 soldiers are advancing. The Grande Armée begins the Russian campaign. Napoleon's objective is simple and predictable: to penetrate very quickly and maneuver effectively into enemy territory in order to confront and defeat the opposing army in a decisive battle. Even though the vast majority of continental Europe is under French rule, time is running out. In less than five months, the local weather will prevent any coherent movement and put logistics in great difficulty.
As expected, the French advance was swift. In less than five weeks, the Grande Armée had already covered half the route that separates it from Moscow. However, five years of relative peace had allowed the Russian army to learn from its mistakes and those made by all the European powers enemies of the French Empire. This time Russian generals avoided direct confrontation for as long as possible. The main army, commanded by Barclay De Tolly, retreated, taking advantage of the immensity of the territory at his disposal. This strategy seemed to be paying off. French logistics continued to stretch and losses from illness or desertion were more than worrying. On July 26-27, the French army attempted a maneuver to envelop De Tolly's troops in Vitebsk. The latter preferred confrontation this time, because of the disorganization and demotivation caused by the continued retreat and also because of the pressure from the Tsar and his court. However, the fighting was only slightly intense and abruptly stopped by the orderly departure of the Russian army. Napoleon had tactically won, but he decided to take a break in order to reorganize his exhausted troops. Meanwhile, De Tolly had to deal with a seemingly more aggressive commander, General Pyotr Bagration.
On August 12, the Grande Armée resumed its advance. The French objective was always to encircle the main Russian army. This time the action took place in Smolensk. Bagration and his troops were massed there. Supreme Commander Barclay De Tolly was ordered by the Tsar to defend the city and did so. A slowdown in French troops had allowed the Russians to prepare defensively. On August 16, Napoleon ordered several of his troops to attack head-on. With artillery support, the attack was a success, but a very violent fire broke out in the evening in Smolensk and the entire army of De Barclay had just arrived to lend a hand to that of Bagration. During the night, the Russian command decided to retreat and abandon the city. While the city was reduced to ashes by the flames and on the morning of August 17 the vanguard of the Grande Armée occupied what remained of the buildings, the Russian troops crossed the Smolenka and outstripped their enemies.
August 18. The bulk of the forces of the Grande Armée arrive in the ruins of Smolensk. Napoleon ordered a break for the day. While the soldiers feed, rest and bury their dead comrades, the Emperor reflects in his camp. He asked to be alone so he could meditate on the situation. He weighs up: his troops marched at full speed for almost two months and crossed hundreds of kilometers of hostile and ravaged territory. His forces are exhausted, logistics are more and more catastrophic as they advance inland, and it is impossible to obtain supplies locally because the regions crossed are poor and ruined. Worse, the Russian army is far away and has so far shown itself to be faster than the French army. While the enemies seem ready to fight to the end, the Tsar has decided to take refuge in St. Petersburg, far from the main target that is Moscow. Furthermore, the Russian winter is only three months away from beginning. After making his calculations, Napoleon shakes his head before muttering “Those damn Russians! ". In the evening, the Emperor announced to his generals that the Grande Armée was stopping at Smolensk until next spring. The troops are informed that the break will be extended for at least another week and that they should prepare to camp here for an extended period of time. As this August day ends, the Emperor explains his choice to his subordinates by summarizing everything in a simple sentence: ‘We have all of Europe with us!’. And an undeniable argument: ‘Only a fool would risk the best army in the world in a hazardous campaign when the war is already won in advance!'.
Side Note: This is my first TL on this site, so don't hesitate to give advice, opinions and criticism (remain cordial if possible ;-) )! This chapter 0 was first made to give the context and present the PoD of this TL (The Grande Armée stopping its campaign in Smolensk to wait until next spring). The next part, which will cover the end of the rest of the year 1812, will surely be published soon. Oh, and also let me know what you think of the map I made. Visual points are very important IMO as soon as we talk about military strategy and battles, so I’ll surely continue creating these maps for the next chapters.
June 24, 1812, on the banks of the Niemen. On the bridges, 650,000 soldiers are advancing. The Grande Armée begins the Russian campaign. Napoleon's objective is simple and predictable: to penetrate very quickly and maneuver effectively into enemy territory in order to confront and defeat the opposing army in a decisive battle. Even though the vast majority of continental Europe is under French rule, time is running out. In less than five months, the local weather will prevent any coherent movement and put logistics in great difficulty.
—
As expected, the French advance was swift. In less than five weeks, the Grande Armée had already covered half the route that separates it from Moscow. However, five years of relative peace had allowed the Russian army to learn from its mistakes and those made by all the European powers enemies of the French Empire. This time Russian generals avoided direct confrontation for as long as possible. The main army, commanded by Barclay De Tolly, retreated, taking advantage of the immensity of the territory at his disposal. This strategy seemed to be paying off. French logistics continued to stretch and losses from illness or desertion were more than worrying. On July 26-27, the French army attempted a maneuver to envelop De Tolly's troops in Vitebsk. The latter preferred confrontation this time, because of the disorganization and demotivation caused by the continued retreat and also because of the pressure from the Tsar and his court. However, the fighting was only slightly intense and abruptly stopped by the orderly departure of the Russian army. Napoleon had tactically won, but he decided to take a break in order to reorganize his exhausted troops. Meanwhile, De Tolly had to deal with a seemingly more aggressive commander, General Pyotr Bagration.
On August 12, the Grande Armée resumed its advance. The French objective was always to encircle the main Russian army. This time the action took place in Smolensk. Bagration and his troops were massed there. Supreme Commander Barclay De Tolly was ordered by the Tsar to defend the city and did so. A slowdown in French troops had allowed the Russians to prepare defensively. On August 16, Napoleon ordered several of his troops to attack head-on. With artillery support, the attack was a success, but a very violent fire broke out in the evening in Smolensk and the entire army of De Barclay had just arrived to lend a hand to that of Bagration. During the night, the Russian command decided to retreat and abandon the city. While the city was reduced to ashes by the flames and on the morning of August 17 the vanguard of the Grande Armée occupied what remained of the buildings, the Russian troops crossed the Smolenka and outstripped their enemies.
—
August 18. The bulk of the forces of the Grande Armée arrive in the ruins of Smolensk. Napoleon ordered a break for the day. While the soldiers feed, rest and bury their dead comrades, the Emperor reflects in his camp. He asked to be alone so he could meditate on the situation. He weighs up: his troops marched at full speed for almost two months and crossed hundreds of kilometers of hostile and ravaged territory. His forces are exhausted, logistics are more and more catastrophic as they advance inland, and it is impossible to obtain supplies locally because the regions crossed are poor and ruined. Worse, the Russian army is far away and has so far shown itself to be faster than the French army. While the enemies seem ready to fight to the end, the Tsar has decided to take refuge in St. Petersburg, far from the main target that is Moscow. Furthermore, the Russian winter is only three months away from beginning. After making his calculations, Napoleon shakes his head before muttering “Those damn Russians! ". In the evening, the Emperor announced to his generals that the Grande Armée was stopping at Smolensk until next spring. The troops are informed that the break will be extended for at least another week and that they should prepare to camp here for an extended period of time. As this August day ends, the Emperor explains his choice to his subordinates by summarizing everything in a simple sentence: ‘We have all of Europe with us!’. And an undeniable argument: ‘Only a fool would risk the best army in the world in a hazardous campaign when the war is already won in advance!'.
—
Side Note: This is my first TL on this site, so don't hesitate to give advice, opinions and criticism (remain cordial if possible ;-) )! This chapter 0 was first made to give the context and present the PoD of this TL (The Grande Armée stopping its campaign in Smolensk to wait until next spring). The next part, which will cover the end of the rest of the year 1812, will surely be published soon. Oh, and also let me know what you think of the map I made. Visual points are very important IMO as soon as we talk about military strategy and battles, so I’ll surely continue creating these maps for the next chapters.
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