-On This Day in War History-
In 1812, French Emperor Napoléon Bonaparte launched his disastrous invasion of Russia in order to pressure Alexander I to stop trading with British merchants so the UK would sue for peace with France. Scorched-earth tactics were employed by the Russians consistently during the invasion, and as a result the French found it difficult to supply their massive army.
![NAPOLEON CANNON, FRANCE 1806](https://thegunstore-cy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/420-a-denix-napoleon-cannon-france-1806.jpg)
NAPOLEON CANNON, FRANCE 1806
Napoleon cannon, manufactured by Gribeauval, 1806
As Napoléon approached Moscow, Fyodor Rostopchin who was the Governor-General of the city, ordered several important buildings be burned. Most buildings in Moscow were made of wood, so what started as a series of small fires quickly turned into a city-wide conflagration.
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NAPOLEON POWDER FLASK (19TH C.)€27.00 +VAT
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Napoleon’s Dagger (France) – Nickel – Letter Opener.€15.96 +VAT
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Napoleon’s Dagger (France) – Brass – Letter Opener.€15.96 +VAT
Napoleon entered the Kremlin on September 15, and was later relocated as the fires threatened the complex. The French army occupied the city for a month, waiting for a peace offer from the Tsar, which never came. It is estimated that 3/4 of all buildings in Moscow were destroyed, and more than 12,000 were dead. The French were devastated in Russia; their army was reduced to a fraction of its strength, and Napoléon’s reputation was significantly weakened.
Great Fire of Moscow burns out after 5 days, 75% of the city destroyed and 12,000 killed
![Napoleon retreats from Moscow](https://thegunstore-cy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/great-fire-of-moscow-1024x634.jpg)