1-155-455 - Art Media/Heritage Images

'Battle of Borodino', 7 September, 1812. The emperor's plan was to smash the Russians in one great battle and so he threw his men at them with little tactical thought. Initially the attack went well, but as more Russian reserves were committed the French found themselves in a bloody battle of attrition. Exhaustion led to both sides winding down their efforts by 5pm and the Russians retreated during the night having suffered 44,000 casualties.The French had 33,000 men killed and wounded but were only days off capturing the enemy capital. Ahead lay that achievement and a horrendous retreat from Russia that would kill most of them.