Battle of Smoliani

With the battles of Smoliani (the 13 and November 14th 1812), the army Russian of the general Pierre Wittgenstein demolishes the French forces of the marshal Victor and the marshal Oudinot.

Context

Learning the defeat with the Battle from Czaśniki, Napoleon, already worried by the defeat with the battles of Polotsk orders with Victor to immediately take again the offensive to push back Wittgenstein and restore the judicious “line of Dwina” to protect the northern side from the Large army in Russia.

Per hour of the meeting of Smoliani, Napoleon projects to lead more to the west, Minsk, his Large army which disintegrates. To this end, the route of retirement must be protected. The position of Wittgenstein with Czaśniki, is hardly with more than 60 kilometers in the north of Bobrouisk, where Napoleon envisaged to pass to reach Minsk.

According to the orders of Napoleon, that Victor approves, this one must coordinate the actions of its 9th division with 2nd and the 6th divisions of the marshal Oudinot to tackle Wittgenstein face with only one division, while the two others would attack side. However, on the insistence of Oudinot, which estimates more advantageous to tackle Wittgenstein face, this project is abandoned.

States of heart in the staffs

Following the preceding reverses, but also because of the errors of planning, and indecision, the French officers show pessimism. On the contrary, the day before the battle, following the recent victories, confidence and the pride reign in the staff of Wittgenstein, and optimism is of rigor among the Russian chiefs.

Wear of the French forces

The moral one of the French is also undermined as tiredness in the rows goes up. In the two weeks which followed the Bataille of Czaśniki, the army of Victor suffered much from the cold and the diseases. November 10th, only 25.000 soldiers remain under the orders of Victor.

In this sector, the forces of Wittgenstein are now slightly higher of number. Supplied better, protected better from the elements than their enemies, the troops of Wittgenstein suffer less tiredness, deprivations and weather conditions.

The battle

The battle of Smoliani begins the October 13rd, at the village close to Axenzi. The French are initially victorious. The 6.000 men of the Partenoux general tackle the avant-garde of Wittgenstein, also made up of 6.000 men, carried out by the Alexiev general. Each camp roughly loses 500 soldiers in this meeting, and in spite of reinforcements, the Russians are forced to move back in Smoliani.

The next day, October 14th, the combat intensifies when 5.000 soldiers of Victor attack and take Smoliani. But the French are well quickly pushed back by a counter-attack and lose the village. During this time, a small Russian detachment is opposed to the forces of Oudinot however higher of number, for the control of the village of Poczavizi, preventing with these troops from going to lend strong hand to Victor.

Although the assessment of the action is neutral, each camp having regained its initial positions with equivalent losses - approximately 3000 dead, wounded or captive - the moral one of the French suffered much. The next day, November 15th, Victor makes retirement 30 kilometers in the south of Chereja

Consequences

This battle is the last attempt of the French to restore the “line of Dwina”.

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