Smolensk and failed invasions of Russia

Krazny memorial to victorious Russia dismissing Napoleon

 

Krasny, my unscheduled overnight, is the place Napoleon faced humiliating defeat as the Russians overwhelmed a retreating  French army. Napoleon had failed to extend his Empire as the Russians never conceded ..... remember 'War and Peace' .....even  though a burnt out Moscow had been handed over on a plate to Napoleon. With Winter kicking in Napoleon's dejected army made its way back towards France and at Krasny the pursuing Russian army heavily defeated the French. Napoleon himself made a run for it back to Paris and his army was in tatters.

Hitler's 4 million soldiers attacking the Eastern front in 1941 were also unsuccessful and the operation became the downfall of the Nazi régime.

Smolensk remembers both invasions as a crucial step towards Moscow. It honours its heroes accordingly!






















My issues over accommodation increase and the alternative apartment I am allocated isn't so bad......really!