Sgt_Rock
Member
Today is the 200th Anniversary of the Second Day of the Battle of Bautzen. Bautzen was the largest land battle in European history at that time. Leipzig would go on to eclipse it and it would not be until World War One that a battle would take their place.
This battle is little written about. Why? Well it doesn't sound like Waterloo! :laugh:
A large army (the French) with mainly infantry faced the Allies who had plenty of cavalry but could not coordinate it properly. The fighting was savage on several sectors of the battlefield. Rather than the narrow frontage of the Lutzen battlefield, Bautzen spanned several miles and included a memorable flank attack by Ney (which could have crushed the Allies had he not turned inward too soon).
This battle did not bring the laurels of campaign victory that Napoleon so desired and the proximity to Austria reminded him that his line of supply could be cut if they chose to enter the campaign arena.
Simply put - Napoleon's cavalry lay dead on the steppes of Russia. Had he not invaded in 1812 Europe today may be a much different place.
Lets remember the brave men that fought on this day. This battle deserves a better place in history than what the Book Publishers have allowed. Put Waterloo in the title and they buy it. It is a shame that the book publisher controls so much of what we see today. I know of several authors that have great books ready to go but publishers are not putting out their works.
When you get a chance - put in a good word for books on the 1813 campaign. Compared to Waterloo, 1813 is terribly neglected.
This battle is little written about. Why? Well it doesn't sound like Waterloo! :laugh:
A large army (the French) with mainly infantry faced the Allies who had plenty of cavalry but could not coordinate it properly. The fighting was savage on several sectors of the battlefield. Rather than the narrow frontage of the Lutzen battlefield, Bautzen spanned several miles and included a memorable flank attack by Ney (which could have crushed the Allies had he not turned inward too soon).
This battle did not bring the laurels of campaign victory that Napoleon so desired and the proximity to Austria reminded him that his line of supply could be cut if they chose to enter the campaign arena.
Simply put - Napoleon's cavalry lay dead on the steppes of Russia. Had he not invaded in 1812 Europe today may be a much different place.
Lets remember the brave men that fought on this day. This battle deserves a better place in history than what the Book Publishers have allowed. Put Waterloo in the title and they buy it. It is a shame that the book publisher controls so much of what we see today. I know of several authors that have great books ready to go but publishers are not putting out their works.
When you get a chance - put in a good word for books on the 1813 campaign. Compared to Waterloo, 1813 is terribly neglected.
