Second Battle of Polotsk

Mir - Mogilev - Ostrowno - Kljastizy - Smolensk - Polotsk (1) - Walutino - Borodino - Tschirikowo - Tarutino - Maloyaroslavets - Polotsk (2) - Tschaschniki - Wjasma - Smoljany - Krasnoje - Borisov - Berezina - Gdansk - Kalisch

The Second Battle of Polotsk ( 18 to 20 October 1812) took place during Napoleon's campaign in Russia.

In this meeting, Russian troops attacked under General Wittgenstein a Franco- Bavarian army detachment under the command of Laurent de Gouvion Saint- Cyr and defeated them. As a result of this victory, the other operations of the French and their allies in Belarus were significantly impeded and laid the foundation for the victory in the Battle of Berezina.

Background

During the advance on Moscow, Napoleon sent a contingent of French and German troops stand in his northern flank to secure them against the Russian General Wittgenstein. The French Verteidigungseckpunkt at Polotsk, commanded by St. Cyr and Charles Nicolas Oudinot, was about 200 km east of the Polish border and about 150 km north-west of Smolensk. For various reasons, the position was extremely important for Napoleon.

By creating a front at Polotsk, Napoleon tried to neutralize the forces of Wittgenstein. It was important for the French, that it was not possible Witt Engenstein to advance to the south. Such an advance would have become the main battle near Moscow unfolding Grande Armée hit in the back which would have had disastrous consequences.

Such a development would have the Grande Armée cut off from their connections to Europe, and even threatened the danger of encirclement.

Furthermore, the French positions were at Polotsk important for the protection of Vitebsk, one of the three main supply depots in the western part of Russia. These three main depots ( addition there were Minsk and Smolensk ), were created to supply the Grande Armée, the campaign should last longer than planned.

Throughout the summer and autumn to early 1812, the French and Russian troops stood idly at Polotsk opposite. This meant that St. Cyr only concern was to keep the Dvina Line. The took place in August 1812 little effective First Battle of Polotsk had only the goal to tie Wittgenstein's troops. Since this was achieved, they can be regarded as a victory for the French.

In mid-October, the situation in favor of the Russians began to improve, as they massively reinforcements were supplied, so they were numerically superior to the French now. Wittgenstein possessed at that time almost over 50,000 men - 31,000 regular troops and 9,000 militia man from Polotsk. More 9000 men under the command of General Steinheil operated rear and on the flank of Polotsk.

This Russian superiority had to oppose St. Cyr only 23000-27000 man. On October 18, Wittgenstein opened hostilities against the French " Dwina Line".

The Battle

On the first day of the battle the Russians led by seven frontal attacks against the French lines. At the same time General Fabian Gotthard von Steinheil in the back of the French was active. The frontal attacks were extremely bloody, and cost the French nearly 8,000 men in losses, while the Russians 8000-12000 man lost. All seven Russian attacks were repulsed.

Although the Marshal St. Cyr could claim as their success, the matter was still not over. Wittgenstein was planning a new attack, as soon as General Steinheil befänden troops in a promising position. Meanwhile he had Polotsk massively bombard with artillery, which ultimately set fire to the town.

Late in the evening on October 19 appeared Steinheil six kilometers from Polotsk away in the back of St. Cyr, who feared an encirclement. Subsequently, the French began to retreat at night and evacuate Polotsk. In the end it still came to the house fighting with the Russians strongly pushing behind.

To protect its located on the route of retreating to the south troops S. Cyr ordered the Bavarian contingent on 20 October as a rear guard to fend off the pursuing Steinheil. This was achieved, and Steinheil had to give up the chase after heavy losses. In this way the French could save them from encirclement, the Battle of Polotsk was lost.

After three days of fighting, the troops of S. Cyr had dwindled to about 15,000 men, who were in full retreat, the remaining 38,000 Russians of Wittgenstein on the heels.

Two weeks later, could take Wittgenstein Vitebsk and thus the local French Home Depot, which was a logistical disaster for Napoleon's Russian operations. The north front of the Dvina line was broken and the consequences for the French invasion of Russia were devastating.

• Coordinates: 55 ° 29 '0 "N, 28 ° 48 ' 0" O55.48333333333328.8