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A Tarnished Eagle: Napoleon's Winter Campaign In Poland, December 1806 Through February 1807
The victories and accomplishments of Napoleon and his Grand Army were by the winter of 1806, the stuff of legend. Yet, on the bloody field of Eylau, Napoleon lost both his prestige and over one third of his Army. How did this Russian Army of notable inferior weapons, tactics, organization and leadership stave off defeat and almost achieve victory? The answer lies in that Napoleon did not only fight the Russians, but also suffered a combination of poor morale and inaccurate reconnaissance. His overextended lines of communications covered an area that was known for its harsh terrain, poor supplies and extremely bad weather.
The Campaign cost Napoleon over 43,000 casualties and proved indecisive. The campaign, and Battle of Eylau, ruined Napoleon’s image of invincibility and completely gutted the Grand Army of a wealth of leadership and experience. Over twenty general officers were killed or seriously wounded at Eylau. Subsequently, Napoleon would have to consistently rely on more conscripts and an ever-increasing number of foreign troops to fill his depleted ranks. Napoleon’s Army would never again resemble the previously invincible Grand Army that died on the blood-soaked snows of Poland.
The Campaign cost Napoleon over 43,000 casualties and proved indecisive. The campaign, and Battle of Eylau, ruined Napoleon’s image of invincibility and completely gutted the Grand Army of a wealth of leadership and experience. Over twenty general officers were killed or seriously wounded at Eylau. Subsequently, Napoleon would have to consistently rely on more conscripts and an ever-increasing number of foreign troops to fill his depleted ranks. Napoleon’s Army would never again resemble the previously invincible Grand Army that died on the blood-soaked snows of Poland.
112 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 15, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 16, 2025
French and Russian soldiers fighting it out on a bloody battlefield in the midst of snow and cold. No, it is not 1812 but 1807. After his victories at Jena-Auerstadt in 1806, Napoleon's next opponents were the Russians who elected to fight a winter campaign in February, 1807. Napoleon's army was tired, but he could not turn down a challenge, hoping for a battle that would result in peace.
Eylau in E. Prussia did not turn out as Napoleon hoped. He retained the field, but only because the Russians retreated after a counterattack which saved their army from the French who suffered horrendous losses as well. It wasn't until June that Napoleon got his victory at Friedland.
This is a short book about the campaign which gives the basic facts, but could use more maps. Eylau proved that Napoleon wasn't invincible, and showed that his idea about living off the land had flaws. 1812's debacle was a result.
Eylau in E. Prussia did not turn out as Napoleon hoped. He retained the field, but only because the Russians retreated after a counterattack which saved their army from the French who suffered horrendous losses as well. It wasn't until June that Napoleon got his victory at Friedland.
This is a short book about the campaign which gives the basic facts, but could use more maps. Eylau proved that Napoleon wasn't invincible, and showed that his idea about living off the land had flaws. 1812's debacle was a result.
September 18, 2019
1806-7 Poland; the Grand Army’s pyrrhic campaign
After unbroken decisive victories, Napoleon extended operations into winter campaigns in Poland and north Prussia.
This led to a wastage of the Grand Army’s veteran core & irrevocably transformed the nature of Napoleonic armies and France’s politics of Empire.
From a historiographical perspective, invaluable insights are gained by incorporation of Russian primary sources.
Well cited.
My interest in Napoleonic era power politics was sparked by the parallels between the Empire’s enforcement of the Continental System and multilateralist protectionist economic block & post WW’s flight to panEuropean rule by bureaucrats.
The remarkable similarities between Napoleonic era’s imposition of utopian bureaucratic state enriched by centralised power and mercantilist policies and the coercive nature of EU was masked until the English voted Brexit, sparking this prolonged battle of liberation.
Of the many books I’ve read regarding the mechanisms used to conquer and subjugate the peoples of Europe, this military history stands out as a thorough, clear explanation of what & how an operational campaign was.
After unbroken decisive victories, Napoleon extended operations into winter campaigns in Poland and north Prussia.
This led to a wastage of the Grand Army’s veteran core & irrevocably transformed the nature of Napoleonic armies and France’s politics of Empire.
From a historiographical perspective, invaluable insights are gained by incorporation of Russian primary sources.
Well cited.
My interest in Napoleonic era power politics was sparked by the parallels between the Empire’s enforcement of the Continental System and multilateralist protectionist economic block & post WW’s flight to panEuropean rule by bureaucrats.
The remarkable similarities between Napoleonic era’s imposition of utopian bureaucratic state enriched by centralised power and mercantilist policies and the coercive nature of EU was masked until the English voted Brexit, sparking this prolonged battle of liberation.
Of the many books I’ve read regarding the mechanisms used to conquer and subjugate the peoples of Europe, this military history stands out as a thorough, clear explanation of what & how an operational campaign was.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews