their winter quarters by an unauthorized plundering expedition in the
Polish lakeland region - which he justified by pleading shortage of
supplies. This hardened a resolve that been fo rming in Bennigsen's mind
fo r some time: that he would thrust towards the French left, break
through on the Vistula and open a spring campaign that would drive the
Grande Armee back to the Oder. Napoleon decided on a countercoup by
assaulting the Russian left as Bennigsen moved west; to lure the Russians
into the trap he ordered French forces in the north to pull back, hoping
ultimately to scythe through the Russian centre and bisect their army.
This promising plan miscarried when one of the French couriers got
lost and delivered a copy of the Emperor's battle plans to the Russians.
This mishap ruined Napoleon's entire winter strategy, fo r Bennigsen now
realized to his horror the thin ice on which he had been skating and
halted operations for a rethink. The Russian pause made Napoleon
confused about their actions and it was 3 February before he realized the
enemy must be aware of his intentions. His problem was that although
8o,ooo new troops had been levied, he barely had enough in hand fo r his
immediate purposes. With insufficient forces he pressed forward and
engaged the Russians at Lonkovo (3 February), but the battle was
indecisive as night fell before the French columns could get into position.
The warning signs were already there. The terrain in eastern Prussia did
not suit the style of the Grande Armee, so that the rapid war of manoeuvre
was not practicable. Cold, rain, snow, quicksands, inadequate supplies
and guerrilla attacks by Prussian partisans all worked against Napoleon,
and his supply situation was even further jeopardized by the scorched
earth policy adopted by Bennigsen as he retreated.
However, when Augereau's Corps and the Guard arrived on 4
February, Napoleon was confident he would be able to beat the Russians
next day. Once again, though, before he could complete his encirclement,
Bennigsen retreated and again escaped the trap. Again it was the darkness
that had thwarted the Emperor, fo r nightfall, occurring so early at this
time of the year in these latitudes, came down just before he had got all
units into position, so that by a hair's breadth he was robbed of the
decisive victory he sought. He urged on his marshals to harry and pursue
the fleeing Russians and it was nips and stings from these gadflies that
finally made Bennigsen turn around and face his tormentors on 6
February 1807. Napoleon thought to surprise the Russians but it was
they who surprised him, and in an inferior position.
The dreadful battle of Eylau began as an outpost skirmish. It was not
fo ught in circumstances of Napoleon's choosing fo r, outnumbered as he
was (initially so,ooo against 7o,ooo) and outpointed in the artillery sphere
marcin
(Marcin)
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