
Marshal Ney: The Bravest of the Brave During Napoleon's Retreat from Moscow (with Wayne Hanley) | Ep 171
Generals and NapoleonShow Notes
In this episode, special guest and author Wayne Hanley explores the legendary rearguard actions of Marshal Michel Ney during Napoleon’s disastrous retreat from Russia in 1812. Known as "the Bravest of the Brave," Ney earned immortal fame by commanding the French Army’s rearguard under some of the harshest conditions in military history. Facing relentless Russian attacks, freezing temperatures, starvation, and collapsing morale, Ney repeatedly held off enemy forces to buy precious time for the remnants of the Grande Armée.
Discover how Ney's leadership, courage, and tactical skill helped save thousands of French soldiers during the retreat from Moscow. Learn about the battles of Krasnoi, the crossing of the Dnieper River, and the dramatic moments that transformed Ney into one of Napoleon's most celebrated marshals.
Whether you're interested in Napoleonic Wars history, military leadership, battlefield tactics, or the life of Marshal Ney, this episode examines one of the most remarkable rearguard campaigns ever conducted. Topics Covered: Marshal Michel Ney Napoleon's Retreat from Moscow The French Invasion of Russia (1812) Battle of Krasnoi Grande Armée Napoleonic Wars Military Leadership Rearguard Actions in History Russian Campaign of 1812 Other famous rearguards of Ney's
Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Your membership directly helps us produce more episodes, bring historians and authors onto the shows, and continue telling the stories of history’s great commanders. patreon.com/generalsandnapoleon
#Napoleon #MarshalNey #NapoleonicWars #MilitaryHistory #FrenchEmpire #GrandeArmee #NapoleonBonaparte #HistoryPodcast #BattleOfKrasnoi
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.