Situation and Leader: Napoleon and the Battle of Borodino and his intense to defeat troops on the left bank of Kolocha River.
Research question: “Knowing what we do know now about the outcome, would I recommend that Napoleon started the battle on the left bank of Kolocha River?”
The battle at Shevardino, where Russian troops should have prevented French troops from coming to Moscow and Smolensk. “Davout's and Murat's troops attacked the Russian rear guard at Shevardino. Murat, Poniatowski and Compans attacked Russian rear guard and the redoubt the greencoats occupied” (Battle of Borodino, 1812). These first hours of war made Bagration’s troops withdraw from the battle field. That’s why I may say that Napoleon was right when thought of the weakness of the left flank of the Russian army. He crossed the Kolocha unexpectedly for Russian military leaders. It made the Russians leave the left flank and find a new position for it. The 7th of September was the start of the Battle of Borodino.
But many resources that can be trust say that it was the plan of Kutuzov, he wanted Napoleon to attack exactly this left flank in order to deprive him lots of his power (Battle of Borodino). And presupposed frontal attack of Napoleon changed to a long bloody frontal battle. That was a mistake by French commander and this first step was a prerequisite to the outcome of the whole battle of Borodino. This was the most terrible battle in the XIX century, casualty of both armies was enormous, and both commanders were sure that it was his army who had won in the battle. But that was not the glorious victory to which Napoleon accustomed, so I would recommend him to change his strategy.
Works Cited
Battle of Borodino, 1812. Napolun.com. http://www.napolun.com/mirror/napoleonistyka.atspace.com/Borodino_battle.htm. Accessed 28 August 2016.
Battle of Borodino. en.wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Borodino. Accessed 28 August 2016.
