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24 June 1812
Napoleon embarks on his biggest mistake: the invasion of Russia. He crosses the river Niemen on 24 June 1812 with a 'Grande Armée' of almost half a million men. But his problems start straight away – bad weather, lack of food and water, the Russians' 'scorched earth' policy as they retreat, sickness and losses to the enemy all reduce his numbers. By the time he fights his way to Moscow, he has just 100,000 soldiers left. |
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