Napoleon and "general Frost" in 1812 war (To 210-year anniversary of the Fatherland War 1812-year)
The article considers the comparison of temperature conditions on the way of the retreating French army from Moscow and the quantity of French soldiers in the battles with the Russian army near Maloyaroslavets, Viasma and Krasny. Based on this comparison it was demonstrated that severe frost began to destruct French army two weeks after leaving Moscow. The number of French soldiers in the battle near Maloyaroslavets was approximately the same when leaving Moscow (105 000 people). Air temperature that day was near 3-5 degrees below freezing. In the next battle near Viasma their number decreased to 40 000 people, being the result of the sudden drop of air temperature to 12-17 degrees below freezing since November 9, 1812. These conditions lasted for 9 days. Many of soldiers, having no warm wear and food, deserted or were frozen to death. It was this period when the destruction of the French army began. By the time of forcing the Beresina river the Great army lost a great number of soldiers, and those reaching it represented a badly organized crowd. Therefore, the frosts during November 9-18, 1812 turned out to be a good assistant for the Russian army in the strategy for Napoleon’s banishment from Russia