
General Wittgenstein: The Russian General Who Saved St. Petersburg from Napoleon (with Jimmy Chen) | Ep 158
Generals and NapoleonShow Notes
General Wittgenstein: Russia’s “Savior of St. Petersburg”
General Peter Wittgenstein was one of Imperial Russia’s most important commanders during the Napoleonic Wars, earning the nickname “The Savior of St. Petersburg” for stopping Napoleon’s advance in 1812. In this special guest, Jimmy Chen will explore Wittgenstein’s rise through the Russian army, his crucial victories at Kliastitsy and Polotsk, and his role in halting French momentum during the invasion of Russia.
Often overshadowed by generals like Kutuzov and Bagration, Wittgenstein proved to be one of Russia’s most aggressive and effective field commanders. His actions on Napoleon’s northern flank protected Russia’s capital and helped turn the tide against the Grande Armée. Whether you’re a fan of Napoleon, Russian military history, or the decisive campaigns of 1812, this deep dive into General Wittgenstein reveals why he deserves far more recognition. 🔔 Subscribe for more Napoleonic history, battle breakdowns, and military biographies.
Topics covered: Who was General Peter Wittgenstein?
The 1812 invasion of Russia
Battle of Kliastitsy
First and Second Battles of Polotsk
Russian generals vs Napoleon
#NapoleonicWars #RussianArmy #GeneralWittgenstein #Napoleon1812 #BattleOfPolotsk #MilitaryHistory #HistoryExplained
X/Twitter: @napoleonic_imp, @andnapoleon
More from Generals and Napoleon
Discover how Napoleon Bonaparte rose from an obscure French artillery officer to a rising military star during the Siege of Toulon in 1793.
In this episode, we examine the doomed Walcheren Campaign of 1809, one of the largest and most controversial British operations of the Napoleonic Wars. Launched as part of the War of the Fifth Coalition, the expedition aimed to seize the Scheldt Estuary, destroy the French fleet at Antwerp, and weaken Napoleon's grip on Europe. Instead, the campaign became a military disaster marked by delays, poor coordination, difficult terrain, and the devastating spread of "Walcheren Fever."
In April 1809, Napoleon faced one of the greatest challenges of his military career when Austria launched a surprise offensive against the French Empire. With his forces scattered across Bavaria, Napoleon moved with incredible speed to regain the initiative, setting the stage for the dramatic Regensburg (Ratisbon) Campaign.
What was life like in the Kingdom of Naples during the Napoleonic Era? In this episode, special guest Jonathan North explores one of the most fascinating and overlooked states of the Napoleonic Wars.
Napoleon is remembered as one of history's greatest battlefield commanders, but his true genius extended far beyond the battlefield. In this episode, special guest & author Michael Leggiere will explore Napoleon's grand strategy—the ambitious plan that sought to establish French dominance across Europe and challenge the global power of Great Britain.