When did the Battle of Eylau take place?
The Battle of Eylau took place on the 7th of February 1807. Heavy snowstorms and blizzards continued throughout the day, creating terrible cold conditions for both armies.
Questions about Battle of Eylau
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who commanded the French forces at the Battle of Eylau?
Napoleon commanded the French army during the Battle of Eylau. Marshal Soult's IV Corps and Marshal Murat's cavalry were among the first formations to reach the plateau before Eylau at about 14:00 on the 7th of February 1807.
What was the outcome of the Battle of Eylau?
After 14 hours of continuous battle, the only result was an enormous loss of life with no decisive victory. Marshal Ney observed the aftermath as a massacre without result, stating Quel massacre! Et sans résultat!
How many casualties occurred during the Battle of Eylau?
Estimates of Russian casualties range from about 15,000 to 20,000 killed or wounded and 3,000 men captured. The German historian Horst Schulz estimated that the French lost 4,893 men killed, 23,598 wounded and 1,152 missing in action, for a total of 29,643.
Why did the French advance into the town of Eylau?
Napoleon later claimed that the advance was on his orders to pin the Russian force to prevent it from retreating yet again and to provide soldiers shelter against the terrible cold. Other evidence suggests the advance was unplanned and occurred as the result of an undisciplined skirmish.