Napoleon's least elegant battle, and one of the most costly. The Russians under Kutuzov defending the Moscow road fought hard all day, inflicting serious casualties on the French before giving way overnight.

Around small village of Borodino, 66 miles west of Moscow. (Russia)

Napoleon's least elegant battle, and one of the most costly. The Russians under Kutuzov took cover behind a set of fortifications defending the Moscow road. They were known as the "Grand Redoubt" furthest east, the Schwerdino Redoubt further west and between but a little south the "Trois Fleches".The battlefield was composed of soft hills with deep gullies between.

The Schwardino redoubt was attacked and taken on the 5th, but it took 3 assaults to dislodge the defenders. After a day to re-group, the French fell upon the other two positions in a simple frontal attack. The Trois Fleches fell, with heavy losses, before noon, but the Grand Redoubt held out longer. The 30th Line managed to take the position, but had too little strength to hold it, and were forced back when cavalry and Cossacks counterattacked. It finally fell around 4 in the afternoon.

Grande Armee

Number engaged :

103,000

Casualties :

28,000 (27.18%)

Russian forces

Number engaged :

120,000

Casualties :

40,000 (33.33%)