Napoleonic Wars: Battle of Eylau 1807
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In 1807, Napoleon Bonaparte hoped to follow up his brilliant victories over Austria and Prussia with another decisive victory over the Russians in Poland. But amid freezing winter conditions, his attempted encirclement of General Bennigsen's Russian army near the East Prussian town of Eylau led, instead, to one of the most notorious battles of the Napoleonic Wars, fought in terrible conditions, with appalling losses on both sides.
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I hope you enjoy our latest video on the Napoleonic Wars! This time we're filling in a bit of a gap from the original series - the Battle of Eylau - one of the most infamous and bloody battles of the age, and just watch the video to find out why. Thanks to our video sponsor BetterHelp - if their message feels relevant to you, please use our link to find out more betterhelp.com/epichistorytv And don't forget, ad-free early access, votes, exclusive updates all over at Patreon www.patreon.com/EpicHistoryTV
YES! You guys are Legends! You always make My day with your content! Specially Napoleónic ones!🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤
EpicHistoryTV, your channel is brilliant!❤May we hope to see the video about the next great Napoleonic Battle of Friedland in 1807 - the splendid French victory ending the war against the 4th Coalition? Napoleon in his exile in St. Helena wrote in his memoirs:
"It was the happiest period of my life - the victory in Friedland, when I became the Master of Europe, and dictated the rules for the Kings and Emperors."
Can you do the battle of Quatre bras. Please. Your video are amazing
Please EpichistoryTv, make a video showing us the battle of Dresden 1813 if practicable. Thanks for all the great work.
Marshal Augereau doesnt ike this post :P
The Augereau's failed charge part is just horrific. 5000 casualties in just 30 minutes is something you would expect to hear on the western front in Ww1.
Get this: at the battle of Waterloo some young guard regiments took as many as 97% casualty rates….even by ww1 standards that’s insane
To put that into perspective, that's almost three casualties every second, hurricane of death indeed
@@rhysnichols8608colborne brigade at la albuera were almost destroyed by lancers and husars, they even lost at least 6 colours and 1300 men wounded death or very few capture
Picketts charge springs to mind
It's amazing to finally see 👀 what happened here with the detailed maps I never understood well before but now I do! This was the highlight of the video for me😢❤
My favorite story from eylau is of one french soldier who, seeking an escape from the cold, hunkered down in a barn on the outskirts of the town. When he awoke, he realised that he was covered in snow and in the middle of an open field. He hadn't been moved, instead a company of his fellow soldiers had dismembered the barn plank by plank in order to burn it as firewood.
They didn't even bother to wake him up lol
@@TheModeler99 Dude was having some solid sleep if he couldn't hear a whole barn being taken down around him.
@@recoil53if you’re tired enough you can sleep through anything.
@@recoil53well when ur a soldier serving in an army filled with thousands of men it’d probably become easy to sleep especially napoleon who took naps frequently
@@nigeh5326no. For fvks sake think for just one second 🤦♂️🙄
Marshall Davout truely was one of the best generals in the Napoleonic age. Can't believe how many times Napoleon relied on him to be the key piece to achieve victory.
However, unlike at Austerlitz, (1805) very similar to Eylau, Davout's III Corps couldn't turn the enemy's flank or to that matter hold the flank in a stable manner. But like Auerstedt, (1806) III Corps showed its doggness and formidable tenacity to withstand a poorly coordinated attack by the Prussians and Russians near the end of the battle despite III Corps being total spent or massively depleted.
It was only bc Marshall NEY was chasing the Prussians and turned up at Eylau, at the nick of time, that saved Napoleon from defeat.
@@flashgordon6670 At the same time Marshal Ney was the one who allowed Prussians to turn up in the first place.
Davouts corps was the best of Napoleon's formations after the Guard. His three division commanders, Morand, Friant and Gudin were all great commanders. Gudin was Davouts best friend (one of his few friends) while Friant and Morand were Egypt veterans and would go on to be commanders in the Imperial Guard themselves. Gudin was killed in Russia at Valoutino.
@@ReichLife But he turned up himself didn’t he? Had he let the Prussians turn up and NOT turned up himself, then you’d have a worthy point. But he did turn up, so you don’t.
Your own premise defeated your incompetent conclusions, didn’t it?
During the battle, the Russian attack on the French left flank almost overran Larrey's hospital. As French soldiers reeled back from the Russian onslaught, Larrey calmly finished the operation he was performing and announced that he would die with his casualties if need be. That very morning Larrey had assisted General Lepic with his arthritis so Lepic could fight, and it was lucky that he had done so. As the French soldiers reeled back, Lepic's cavalry rode to the rescue in a successful counterattack, driving the Russians back and keeping the hospital out of harm's way.
Later the same day, a colonel badly wounded at Eylau had to have his leg amputated, but as Larrey attempted to perform the operation, the man's leg would not stop shaking from his fear of the operation. Larrey slapped him in the face, and the officer demanded satisfaction for such an insult to his honor. As the man angrily spoke of honor, Larrey performed the operation, then apologized and explained that he knew the affront to the man's honor would cause him to forget the operation for a moment which was all the time Larrey needed to carry out the operation.
As the Emperor and Larrey left Eylau on the 17th, Napoleon noticed that Larrey no longer wore a sword. "You don't have a sword?" Napoleon asked. Larrey explained that his sword was lost during the battle as the Russians had overrun his baggage wagon. Napoleon removed his own sword and held it out to Larrey, telling him, "Here is mine. Accept it as a reminder of the services you rendered me at the Battle of Eylau."
These brave men, with honour, dignity and pure integrity. Balls of steels and Napoleon once again the GOAT giving his own sword as he knew it was truly a battle to death.
@@kayzenl7911 Military doctors in war are also legends of honor.
Aint that the guy that technically invented the ambulance
We should consider Larrey as the founder of military medicine. He and his subordinates invented specialised technics for emergencies care.
tbh I would reward the doctor too for saving lives and defending it.
Eylau was a major check on the invincibility of Napoleon's grand armee. The worst part were the losses of great veterans who had fought in Austerlitz, Ulm, and Jena. However, it did show that in the heat of battle, Napoleon and his Marshalls could rearrange and support each other to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. It was not a decisive victory, but it highlighted the brilliance and strength of his leaders. I think as bloody as Eylau was, it was a gut check for his Marshals that would give them the experience to achieve many more victories and endure the hard times to come.
Thank you to epic history. Hands down one of the best, if not the best, history channels.
Well said
The best History Channel I say
Yes, it was a sobering reminder to the Marshals that they were not invincible. Murat's grand charge gave me a thrill though, can you imagine being in that action?
it was a pyrrhic victory at best
Victory? This was a slugging match the Russians could better absorb.
Epic History TV is such a high quality channel and does such a fantastic job with Napoleonic content that is has made it hard to watch any other similar channels; or I should say, channels that wish they were similarly good.
Now I hope they grant us all our wish and they cover the Egyptian Expedition!
Thank you. We're already working on it!
@@EpichistoryTvGreat to hear guys! You are incredible!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
@@EpichistoryTv Fantanstic, please be sure to cover the post Napoleon period in Egypt under Kleber and Menou througly too until September 1801, its as epic as before August 1799 when Napoleon left for France.!!!
@@EpichistoryTv love you guys so much!! frederick the great when?
I know what you mean, Epic History TV really is on a different level. I try to watch other channels on the topic and nothing bad against them but I’m just so accustomed to Epic’s style I can’t get into to it.
Fun fact. One of Augereaus Brigade commanders Gen Louis Binot, had been Gen Friants aide de camp since 1793, through the Egypt campaign until 1802. He then joined Gen Decaen overseas until captured by the British in 1804. Back to France and promoted to General he joined Augereaus corps, losing his life in Eylau.
The generation that came of age during the Late Enlightenment/early Age of Revolutions lived through such an exciting time. Would have been quite the life if you lived to see it all.
What a life for General Binot
@@blueguy5588 I doubt many considered a life of strife and conflict to be one worth living.
So far from home for him
@@TheRixtah1it depends.
Born far late to fight at the Battles of Austerlitz, Born to early to fight the Battles in Mars,
Born just right to watch Epic History TV release a video about the Battle of Eylau.
And you better thank God for that, lol
I thank the universe, the lord, the historical journeys, Alexander the Great, Napoleon and Buddha
For what?
@@flashgordon6670for allowing TH-cam to be created
@@dukekevy6650 And what part did they each play in that exactly?
Davout:"And once again, the emperor gave me the entire responsibility of the battle. Every day this, they ask me to make a miracle, and I keep making them"
This is a great quote. I feel like this is applicable to me at work as well 😂
Bennisgen's prevention of a French capitalisation on the victory by means of an ordered withdrawal, and the spanner it threw in the mechanisms of the Grande Armee, makes his decision to make battle at Friedland even more puzzling. He essentially threw away the tactical and strategic position, as well as the prestige, he wrested from the French at Eylau
At Friedland he only wanted to destroy a single French corp and doesn't want to be involved in a major battle
A couple of facts contributed to it in my eyes. You have to keep in mind that everyone who was facing the French pre Russia campaign was operating with inferior Cavalry in terms of quality. That's a huge factor in operational decision-making. Also, Benningson was unwell at Friedland and didn't exercise much control over the battle. The French attack that shattered the Russian Army came in very late in the day. I think Benningson, knowing his condition, didn't want to try to conduct a fighting withdrawal, a very technically demanding task and was instead waiting for nightfall withdrawal. In my eyes it can be more characterized as a miscalculation than a blunder
It was only bc Marshall NEY was chasing the Prussians and turned up at Eylau, at the nick of time, that saved Napoleon from defeat.
@@flashgordon6670 That is not correct. The Russians were already out of steam by the time Ney showed up. Even if the Russians had kept the field, its likely operations would have been stalled until the end of winter anyway and Napoleon would have remained in a good position to reinforce himself for the Spring. Neither side could really exploit pushing off the other off Eylau at the end of the battle.
@@francismorin8561 That’s not what the video said. Marshall Davout’s III corp was being routed by the Prussians, until Ney turned up to save the day,
Pay attention and listen properly and get your dam facts right first, before you go around blowing your trumpet and look like a fool.
Waiting for Murat's Epic Charge 🏇 🏇 🏇 🏇 🏇
"Hurrah Murat!"
- The Cossacks
Me too
Most famous cavalry charge ever!!!
@@Zaynal_The_Thunderbolt i think ney's charge at Waterloo is more infamous
@@Zaynal_The_Thunderboltlight birgade
I had no idea about how bad Eylau was. This could almost be seen as a forshadowing of what was to come later down the line. What a giant tragedy, for both sides.
Fantastic video as always! 🤘
It was only bc Marshall NEY was chasing the Prussians and turned up at Eylau, at the nick of time, that saved Napoleon from defeat.
@@flashgordon6670 bro is spamming comments with Napoleon hate lol. In your genius opinion what was Ney supposed to do, other then follow Prussians to Eylau, when they successfully avoided his blockade?
@@traveller4375 No, it only counts as spamming, if it’s on multiple videos of different channels and it’s irrelevant to the videos. That’s how it works I’m afraid.
I never said Ney should’ve done anything else. Why have you imagined that I did, in your tiny little mind?
@@flashgordon6670stick to one thread mate, your comment wasn't really relevant to what OP said
@@flashgordon6670 In the ascendant part of his career, Napoleon was saved many times by the timely arrival of subordinates. A better holding action here, worse roads there and the results aren't so pretty.
Despite the cold, hunger, snow and exhaustion, Napoleon's men fought for him like tigers. This alone shows why he was one of the greatest Generals of all time, his powers of leadership and motivation are almost unmatched.
I draw lots of inspiration from these history bits!! Real man lived in those time riding into certain death!
@@JuandinggongNapoleon could've had a better ending to his life if he never invaded Russia and instead makealliance with Russia against the British
@@JDDC-tq7qm Do you really think that was likely?
@@JFDA5458 I really do if you look in the Fifth Coalition war Russia was in the side of Napoleon plus Napoleon had a chance to marry the Tsar Alexander I sister that would solidify French and Russia alliance even stronger Napoleon had already half of Europe in his hands by having Russia on his side Napoleon could certainly threaten the British power
@@JFDA5458 He degraded his prestige and the quality of his army, for a hug with Alexander and an unfeasable treaty at Tilsit. These were the first signs of cracks in his judgement and his "lucky star". Its sad to see men motivated to march into a massacre for the ambitions of others. Glory through bravery, I suppose. Well, the graveyards were filled with 'brave' men who no one remembered.
Another anecdote from this battle:
When Augereau's Corps was destroyed a part of the russians advanced on Eylau again. A unit of russian grenadiers broke into the cemetery where Napoleon had used the church as his observation point/HQ. Napoleon, refusing to leave his position, was virtually trapped in the church with nothing but his staff personal between him and the russian grenadiers. But his staff held out long enough that the news reached the infantry of the old guard.
And the old guard proved themselves true to their renown as Napoleon's finest. There was barely a need for an order. When they learned of their emperor's need, the grenadiers and chasseurs of the old guard rushed forward. While the russians where hammering at the church doors the imperial guard came over them. The old grumblers stormed into the cemetery yard and - without bothering to even stop for firing - charged the russians with bayonets fixed. Taken by surprise by the heavy assault the russians faltered and where trapped between the old guard's infantry and Bruyere's cavalry. They were all but wiped out.
Come to think how a member of Napoleon's staff must have felt. Imagine, you are accustomed to do the paper work for marshal Berthier and the emperor and suddenly you are trapped in a small church in a prussian winter. In front of you men are barricading the door with church pews as russian muskets are hammering at it from the other side. The marshal cocks a pistol which he has used the last time in the american war of independence. And behind him the emperor thinks about drawing his sword for the first time since the italian campaign. But then your hear the rallying cry of the Grande Armée through the broken windows.
>>Vive l'Empereur!>Vive l'Empereur!
That was close….. too close
Napoleons sons after all
Thank you sir. You illustrated this so brilliantly, and vividly. I was totally invested reading this. You ought to be a novelist!
@@georgevanandersson-om5ez working on it...
12:41 never fails to give me chills. CHILLS! The way the music comes in, the weight of the moment, it's one of the best scene transitions I've ever experienced and I keep rewatching it
Fitting theme for Murat epic charge
"Good God, the Prussians are here, too!" has such incredible energy, it feels like something out of a movie.
If you were in Davout’s Corps, you’d have to think anyone could show up next - the British, the Spanish!! Who else?!
I'm sure one of Napoleon's other marshals said the same thing at Leipzig or Waterloo.
It feels like when the Rohirrim show up at Pelenor Fields hahaha.
This battle is a little like watching a horror movie. Disasters, madness, terror, and death. Napoleon commanding from a cemetery. Perfect for Halloween.
Napoleon had no heart and no soul.
@@flashgordon6670 He eats laurels and drinks blood
@@flashgordon6670Greatest general the world has ever seen!
@@porlarazonoporlafuerza6424 Greater than Ghengis Khan?
Yes. Greater than Genghis Khan.
12:43 is one of the coolest part of the Napoleonic videos made by Epic History tv. The music, Napoleon's quote, then the commentator talking about Murat's charge.. The horrors, the bravery, the courage! All these men must be an entire different breed.
This was one of the best EpichistoryTv episodes I've ever seen. The horrifying images, the music, and the sheer scale of losses really creates such an atmosphere that if I imagine myself there, I'm crumbling as I write. A perfect of a documentary video. This channel was the first to trigger my fascination with history, I really appreciate your work.
Eat some Apple Crumble with milk or cream!
It is thought that the 14th Regiment’s Eagle was saved by a certain Captain Marbot, aide-de-camp to Augereau. Against all odds, he rode through the Cossacks and was able to reach the isolated 14th as they prepared to take their last stand, and put the Eagle under his coat. He was badly wounded during the Russian charge but survived the battle.
Great video as always.
Vive l’empereur ! 🇫🇷🇫🇷
Chef de battalion Daussy gave Marbot the Eagle before being killed.
Okay calm down now
Marbot has written one of the best memoires on the Napoleonic wars, still for sale today!
some even say that he was around a square
of dead bodys
Marshal Augereau doesn't get enough praise he commanded his corps with bravery and distinction and it was essentially annihilated by the cannons and he himself was wounded by grapeshot in the arm.This was all done during a snow storm and he was very ill with a fever which meant he had to be strapped to his horse. How many of us would do that? its no wonder why he was never the same again.
The illustrations dont do him justice, the russian lines zig zagged. The blizzard lifted as his men were surrounded on essentially 3 sides.
Oudinot: It should have been me!
@sinnisteragenda5946 Also to note when the blizzard cleared Augereau's Corps' two frontal divisions were facing 70 Russian guns at a distance of 30 yards smaller than a standard football pitch So, no wonder his forward units were cut to pieces and annihilated.
@@sinnisteragenda5946 wow thank you for that remarkable fact that i did not know
Augereau was a baller. The hero of Castiliogne.
This battle was great for a reason, as it was the first major check on his military invincibility. He have competent commanders at his disposal, Davout, Soult and Augereau in this battle and yet he failed to win against Bennigsen as he too have 2 of the best russian generals at his disposal, namely Barclay and Bagration. With experienced troops led by brilliant commanders on both sides. It was not a shocking that it ended the way it ended.
He won… just because it wasn’t decisive doesn’t mean the Russian’s corps were completely obliterated. People like to say that because the Russian were still alive, they weren’t severely damaged
Yeah both parties took heavy toll on
Spain was FAR worse than this.
In Eylau in most sources French won the Battlefield and less casualities.
There are no way to say this is was a blow in Grand Armée reputation.
Ожеро, никогда не был выдающимся маршалом Наполеона, маленькие победы над посредственной армии Испании, и всего лишь 2 успешных сражения Кастильоне и Арколе и все...
@@TheQuasarDragon1706no, because you are comparing a single battle to the whole war in Spain.
This was chillingly epic. Great narrative as usual, great music. Napoleon commanding the battle from a graveyard like an omen of death.
Oh with what folly! Do men rush headlong into their Graves!
Surely fighting on a burial ground is a desecration?
This feels different. Unlike any other battles shown on the channel Eylau gives a sinister feeling of destruction. Perhaps a taste of the dark days to come for the Grande Armee. Amazing depiction by the channel always providing something new.
9:50 - 18:24
Almost 10 minutes of non-stop goosebumps and emotion, thanks to the graphics and enveloping narration!
I love that you can see the Prussians before they are fully visible on the field
It was only bc Marshall NEY, was chasing the Prussians and turned up at Eylau, at the nick of time, that saved Napoleon from defeat.
@@flashgordon6670 At the same time Marshal Ney was the one who allowed Prussians to turn up in the first place.
@@lordbruno47 Yes, right before he turned up himself, that’s fair isn’t it?
Omg I didn't notice that on my first watch. That's such a nice touch
Can you gimme a time stamp? I can’t seem to find it
Oh this Murat seems like a brave and fearless Marshal I'm sure he won't betray Napoleon in an attempt to hold to a hypothetical kingdom sometime in the future.
I mean, Murat betrayal was all justified and desesperated. Not like Bernadotte actions.
@@TheQuasarDragon1706murat actively switched sides in the middle of a war.
Bernadotte """betrayed""" napoleon after he told him that he would only persuit Seeden's intrerests. And then old nap annexed swedish pomorenia
@@elmascapo6588napoleon needed to be stopped
@@elmascapo6588
Bernadotte wouldnt lose nothing, Murat tried to remain in the throne in a clearly lost war.
And you can say that Bernadotte dont betrayed Napoleon but he clearly beatrayed his brother in arms, ideals ans French people. Enough to me to call a traitor.
@@Whatisthisstupidfinghandle be stopped from what? Lol
It's criminal how overlooked the Napoleonic wars are today. Such Glory such self sacrifice such Bravery such horror . Thank God for channels like yours to keep the memory alive.
There's nothing we can do
Ridley Scott's movie looks pretty good. I just hope it doesn't glamorize Napoleon - he is not a figure worthy of respect or admiration.
@@titobascou9047 Europe had no choice but to respond to the chaos of France. Napoleon simply took advantage of that chaos and added to it even more. Sure, he had his victories like Austerlitz and Friedland, but then he also blundered in Egypt and Russia, abandoning his men en masse.
@@ebannaw Naaaaahhhhhh Napoleon gets a bad rap because of another later megalomaniac from Germany with a funny mustache that he's often compared to. Napoleon was actually forcing the monarchy's of Europe to embrace the liberal beliefs of the French revolution that led to the beliefs that most of Europe now believe in. If he hadn't invaded Russia he'd be viewed as a hero today by most of the world as the Man who Started the end of the monarchy's. He wasn't perfect no one is but he was the third step in the journey to the modern world we live in today the first being the American revolution the second the French revolution. Lastly he was far superior to any of the megalomaniacs of his time who our ancestors all called kings queens and emperors. Like all giants of history he just went one step to far.
@@loslobos786 "liberal beliefs"
Haha....hahahaha. You're funny. Go explain "liberal beliefs" to Robespierre and his kangaroo courts. The French Revolution was chaos. It may have happened because of the corrupt aristocracy of France, but it didn't progress to something superior either.
Nappy was an Emperor, a conqueror, and only believed in himself, always at the expense of his own country and his men. He was everything contrary to liberty, equality, and fraternity.
The image of Augeraeu's corps suddenly finding themselves less than a third of a football pitch away from 70 cannon is perhaps the moment that has most viscerally affected me in this series. Imagine being one of those infantry and suddenly finding yourself face to face with something that threatens to kill you horribly from hundreds of yards away, and immediately knowing your fate. Like a reverse of the mist clearing at Austerlitz.
Thanks for the video, incredible as usual.
that was incredible luck 🇷🇺, otherwise Eylau would have ended like Friedland...
@@AmirSattthere is no luck the pompous french thought they can conquer nature
@@silviuvisan505it’s kinda unlucky that just when they were there, the snowfall stopped
well no, the blizzard was just unexpected@@silviuvisan505
@@silviuvisan505 Shush child.
There are so many parralels to be drawn between Eylau and Borodino, from the heat of the fighting, to the Russian and French aims, to the end result
Bennigsen is a tougher opponent than Kutuzov. But I'd be curious to see Napoleon fight Suvorov.
Eylau was a tactical draw, Borodino was a narrow, pyrrhic french victory.
@@cmourat1 both battles ended in the same way - the French pushed the Russians back from their initial positions, but were unable to break through their lines. But on the southern flank at Borodino, Poniatowski's Poles failed to do anything at all.
@@illumey7884the poles weren't meant to do anything more than to tied up the moskals on the south
But, you can argue that they failed at that, since i remember that the moskal in charge of the positions south of the arrows, was able to send out a fresh divition to counterattack the franch, just in time
When you know the details of the battle and nevertheless, you can't resist watching the upcoming video.... this is epic history TV
Its a shame they left out a few interesting points, a russian colnel losing the town because as he advanced so many soldiers started looting he gave the drummers orders to play the sound for assembly which caused a rout, or that 2 eagles were given to riders when their units formed square while retreating from the center so they would not lose their honor fighting to the last man. Later found all dead in their formation from so much cannon fire.
It was only bc Marshall NEY, was chasing the Prussians and turned up at Eylau, at the nick of time, that saved Napoleon from defeat.
Finally the battle of Eylau, this battle was so Epic for each sides, congratulations for this another great video
One of the biggest battles in the history of Humanity. A battle where every soldier, every spear, every sword and every cannon had victory in hand. A battle where life did not count, but it was enough to be one step ahead of the enemy. A battle that shows that Napoleon Bonaparte, but above all the Army of the French Empire was an army that will never come to the world again. Many losses but an extraordinary courage and determination. Thank you very much Epic History. One of the best documentaries I've heard in my life. The music, the illustration, the sound, the fight, the Cannons and all a master at work. While I was watching it, it was worth my blood to be there and take part in the battle alongside Napoleon. Master piece ❤🎩
This man's voice was sent down from the heavens specifically to narrate military history videos
Charles Nove's first words were not "oogoo gaga" or "mama, papa" but "Mack did not realise, that he was already caged by the Grande Armée"
What an episode, Eylau was an extraordinary blend of horror and bravery throught the both armies. But I think you wrong for the eagle of the 14th in line, Napoleon send many men for warn Augereau to withdraw. Until he send the capitaine Marbot who crossed all the russians lines, and took the eagle of the 14th, he transmitted the last words of the 14th in line: « I don’t see the any way to save the regiment, Return to the Emperor, bid him farewell to the 14th of the line who faithfully carried out his orders, and take him the eagle that he had given us and that we can no longer defend, it would be too painful to die of see it fall into the hands of enemies » before make his way throught russians cossacks towards his lines. His horse Lisette which was a nasty beast slaughtered all men who tried to kill his master. Marbot made it but was deeply wounded and fall of exhaustion on the ground, he was considered dead but eventually was founded by his comrades. The 14th of lines then fight a final battle against the russian grenadiers, before ceasing to exist.
Absolutely true, I was waiting for that story
it is an extraordinary history of the napoleonic wars@@thomascatty379
Epic shit.
As epic as it gets.
God I love this channel, the way they produce such amazing material is just astonishing. Please keep up the fantastic work!
These are so so good. If you ever stop making videos I will actually cry.
Lol. We will do our best. Thank you.
Here, in Russia, Prussian role in Eylau is often omited, but for Bennigsen it was so important that he abandoned comand for couple hours to personally find L'Estocq.
They were fighting for pratically surrendered country, yet they managed to deprive Napoleon of certain victory, and redeem a bit of Prussian military honor.
Putin needs BetterHelp.
@@flashgordon6670why are you all so obsessed about putin?
@@dda4966 Bc he started WW3 Einstein. Have you been living in a cave for the last 3 years?
@@flashgordon6670 I never knew ww3 has been on for 3years, wow, where are you presently fighting at, I need to inform the president of my country that a world War is on🤡🤡🤡
@@dda4966
Putin is the new Trump
This guy’s voice is amazing for history narration
This battle is more fascinating and intriguing than any other I can think of . Not a dull moment from the night battle before to the charge and everything after
Epic history TV. Thank you. You guys are absolute legends, all your content is out lf this world but your Napoleónic content is on a league of its own! Never get tires of binging it!
I really wish that you will treat us with the egyptian expedition! God bless you guys!🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤❤❤
_"Heads up, gentlemen, these are bullets, not turds"._
Colonel Louis Lepic of the Grenadiers à Cheval
Thank you Epic History TV, you have taught me practically everything i know about the Napoleonic wars, and a lot about WW1.
Battles between two competent commanders always seem to end in a Pyrithic victory, where neither side really won because the cost was so high, close to 50'000 people killed in a single day.
Yes the only real winners, are those who don’t engage in bloody battles and wars.
Not even remotely 50k people died in the battle. The TOTAL casualties, including wounded and prisoners, was 40k.
@@y.r._там и половина раненых ,наверняка ,погибала от врачей.У которых было одно средство лечения - ампутация.
@@olegevstigneev5367 Sorry I don't speak Vodka Gorbatschow
@@y.r._ не умеешь пользоваться переводчиком?
This is what all my Napoleon Total War battles look like lol
What an amazing game that is
@@jokerrhe definitely flawed, but I love it to bits
@@doncorleole2356 load up the mods, makes a night and day difference in some regards.
@@jokerrhe I want Napoleon Total War 2 so much, but seeing how hideous the last Total Wars game are, I am worried it would be bad if they do it tomorrow.
@@mrsupremegascon I haven't tried the newer ones but yeah saw some dirty reviews on 'em. I'd be cool with some other eras as well tho. However a remake of NTW or even Empire would be insane. In VR lol jk 😁
I can’t get enough of Napoleon right now! Even bought an entire biography about him. Thanks for the video! We all love them
This is By far One of your best videos ever and the ending was so sad it reminded me of the ending in Napoleon in Russia video talking about the brutal reality and huge loss of life that results in battles like this, always remind us that the death,carnage,horrors you see on a Battlefield always overcome the Glory of Victory
It was only bc Marshall NEY, was chasing the Prussians and turned up at Eylau, at the nick of time, that saved Napoleon from defeat.
Excellent video as always. Here are a few other interesting details to note:
- As Augereau's corp was slaughtered, a russian column entered eylau and came very close to capturing Napoleon. He was only saved by the brave defense of his staff and the imperial guard.
- After the battle, Napoleon offered Prussia a separate peace that would have restored all of their territory east of the Elbe. But the king was persuaded a fight to the death was more preferable.
- Both L'estocq and Scharnhorst would later work together on a special commission to investigate the failures of the 1806-07 campaign and reform the Prussian army. One of these reforms was the estalishment a permanent chief of staff for all field commanders.
I can see why you named Davout as the best marshal. He was instrumental in so many victories.
I keep coming back to this video I can’t get enough of the story the narration the music and the comments ! Truly great
Your channel is the best history channel on TH-cam. You’re stuff is just amazing.
I’ve learned more about napoleon and his wars from this channel then I ever learned in school. Fantastic job
Thought we'd be done getting Napoleon content after the Italian series ended but wow, what an awesome surprise to see this! Never stop making Napoleon content please!!
This was fantastic! Eylau, for me, is the most fascinating battle of the period, and your video more than did it justice.
For anyone looking for a good read on the subject, James Arnold's: Crisis in the Snows, is a damned fine choice.
I literally enjoy watching every single second of Epic history tv napoleonic wars content. Nothing like it!!
One of the most fascinating battles of the war, thank you so much for animating it!
Thank you so much for sticking with old graphics and style, this is much better than the cartoonish graphics of recent newer Napoleon videos, as always amazing narration and beautiful story telling of this incredible battle
Thanks!
Without a doubt, it has been a dark, gloomy and horrible episode to watch. Even with several of its best marshals, such as Davout, Soult and Ney, it is clear that Russian tenacity and winter always worked against the Grande Armée. This would be the prelude to what it would be like to face the Russians in battle and even worse in winter. So many divisions being torn to pieces and continuous attacks and counterattacks in a matter of minutes being destroyed by cannon fire and infantry and cavalry charges.
A great testimony to how cruel the Napoleonic Wars were, especially when the opposing sides were French and Russian. Murat's charge, the complete destruction of Augereau's Corps, and the near destruction of Davout's Corps. After this, Napoleon would always have his doubts about fighting the Russians, not fear, but concern for the soldiers he would have to lose to defeat the giant of the East.
Although Friedland restored the Grande Armée's trail of triumphs, the confident, experienced, fully-stretched army of 1805 no longer existed (about 200,000-250,000), only several thousand veterans (at most 90,000-100,000), who would die in the following years in the Peninsula War, once again against Austria and finally in the disastrous invasion of Russia, where only the Old Guard and part of the Young Guard were all that remained of the hardened soldiers who followed Napoleon throughout Europe since 1805.
Thank you EHTV, for all this great work that you and your collaborators do with each video.
4:42 The timing of that ad and the zoom in on Napoleon is a great moment that should not be overlooked. well done editor. well done.
Thanks a lot from France 🇫🇷 for this amazing video about my favorite napoleonic battle 🔥
Viva la best Napoleonic TH-cam channel in the world! Im glad to see this battle being brought back for the attention it deserves
The Keith Rocco painting is so great !
HEADS UP, BY GOD. THOSE ARE BULLETS. NOT TURDS!!
Hearing about casualties and deaths really brings me to tears.
Thank you everyone at the EpicHistoryTV team
Thank you to all the people that contributed, to the art, map and narrating of this masterpiece of a documentary!
"are you going to let those fellows devour us?"
Is something Napoleon said on the movie Napoleon of 2002, really cool detail of such old movie
You forgot to mention napoleon using the imperial old guard
No other channel captures the horror of war just through narration . The mental image conjured of old bears, veterans all, fighting to the death in a winter wasteland , is a grim one
That must have been one long day! EHTV, eternal gratitude as ever
That was freaking FANTASTIC!! Thank you for this!!! I don't think I've ever had a better understanding of a historic battle!
It is always a pleasure to watch your Napoleonic videos. I always find myself thrilled and excited watching them, thank you very much for providing us with such high quality content; all for free, too! I think that in this one especially you did a great job portraying the colossal amount of death (on each side) and the brutality and boldness of the fighting. Keep up the great work!
Amazing Video again !! ( Absolute stunned by the details !
Perfect remake. I recall this battle very well. Well done EpicHistoryTV. Will continue following for years ahead
Breathtaking, jaw dropping
"The cowards will die in Siberia. The brave will die on the field of honor!" -Marshal Davout at Eylau
Wonder how honorable the wounded felt when they were freezing and bleeding to death at night.
Rue d'Eylau in the 16th in Paris is now a nice and quiet street; with actually a fantastic view of the Eiffeltower when you drive through it towards place Trocadero.
Bessières leading forward the guard cavalry is such an epic scene 15:20
Probably rewatched it like 100 times 😅
I've waited for a long time for this.
Fantastic episode, now can you please put Quatre Bras and Ligny on your to do list, these two battles are often over shadowed by Waterloo but are a fascinating prelude to the great battle. Brilliant channel.
Surtout Ligny qui est une superbe branlée
Just before Murat's charge, The Guard was sent to hold the gap, with order not to shoot, because "The old guard fights with bayonets". They repelled incomming infantry.
Later on, when the guard cavalry was sent to rescue Murat, they found themselves sourrounded. An Russia officer comes to ask if they want to surrender. Lepic answers "Look at this faces, and tell me if they want to surrender !"
They they proceeed to charge in tigth formation throught 3 lines of infantry.
As usual, a great piece of amazing history, great animation, fantastic voiceover and an amazing atmosphere makes this the best historical series you can watch. It's suspenseful and has an incredible amount of tension. You can watch it all the time. Thank you. Warsaw. Poland
You might be my favourite channel on YT. I was in Paris last weekend and got chills every time I saw words like Austerlitz, Jena, Friedland. You really bring out the contributions of the Marshals and each corps, and for me that’s the best part. I could look at those monuments and feel the courage and sacrifice of those men from long ago.
Did you go to Rue de Rivoli ?
@@walideg5304 yeah and Arc de Triomph, Les Invalides, Lannes' tomb in Pantheon, the Luxembourg gardens - Ney was shot there, and obviously the pyramid at the Louvre is a reference to the Egyptian campaign 🥰
@@bear_strikes there are over 300 references in Paris of this era if you include place of battles, Marshals, Generals, ministers
Them Prussian late reinforcement really foreshadowing what would happen in certain battle 8 years later
"Good God, the Prussians are here too!"
-Marshal Ney, 17 October 1813, probably
How horrifying it must’ve been for French Officers, Generals, and men when the blizzard cleared, only to see a line of cannons ready to blast away. No cover, no time to evade, just terrifying 💀
Actually there where 2 batteries one of 70 and another of 60 Russian guns
Great video, all the men of both armies were so brave, the amount of death is truly staggering. Wot we humans can do to each other is insane.
All of your Napoleon videos are fantastic!
Hell feel like am there on battle ground waiting for Napeoleon orders....Your story telling and content is just amazing music in background just makes it more Epic!
The Russians fought so heroically and would have beaten any other army. But Napoleon just had too many talented officers and veterans at his disposal.
The french do the same
Holy crap! They were a different breed of men back then!
Could we ask epic history to contact a movie production and a good director (Mel Gibson) and work together to make a trilogy on Napoleon ?
A little idea :
Doing an entry like in gladiator explaining what happened before and start in his Italy campaign in 1796 which is incredible and no mention of it in Ridley Scott’s disaster of a movie… that pissed me off
Also using some epic music and not the none emotion music we had in that movie…
Ending the movie with Napoleon’s coronation
Second movie :
First scene starting with the build up and preparation to the battle of Austerlitz. The night before (from Napoleon’s words : the best night of his life) when walking through the camp his soldiers started yelling Vive l’empereur and torches lit one by one 🔥 until tens of thousands of torches were lit and the sky became orange. Then showing maybe in a sort of highlight with music the next year and battles won with some epic music with a good video cut. And a little highlight of first struggle at Eylau with the cavalry charge !!
And then end with invasion of Russia and leaving us with Napoleon having to take the decision to retreat
Third movie : his downfall starting
Explaining the retreat of Russia and the political situation (we all know about it no need to spend long on the thing everyone knows about)
But starting with the war of the 6th coalition and the campaign which was long and with a highlight of the battle of the nations
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY seeing the campaign to defend France in 1814 which made Napoleon enter even more in the legend defending france with 50.000 men against 600.000 and doing things people would have been more than amazed with
And finishing with a much more epic battle than we saw in Ridley Scott’s movie again at Waterloo it felt in his movie there was 1000 men on the battlefield when there was 100.000 on each side and end the movie with the defeat at Waterloo
Finishing, explaining how Napoleon ended his life it’s not that hard..
Don’t be scared of making long movies !!!
And no scenes with the Imperial guard 💂♀️ that is the biggest crime
The most iconic troop in history not spoken of once. It should be a highlight spoken of during the movie and shown as what they were incredible loyal soldiers to the emperor who frightened ennemies
This pissed me off even more
Rewatching this masterpiece
A channel that makes a difference, just as the period it covers in such an epic and incredible way with its videos. Thanks so much
On February 6, 1807, during the skirmish at Hoff d'Hautpoul rode his cuirassiers to the rescue of Murat's light cavalry.d'Hautpoul successfully driving off the Russians, he returned to the Emperor Napoleon with his armor dented and covered in blood.
As he dismounted, Napoleon came up to him and embraced him in thanks for his successful charge. Honored and embarrassed by Napoleon's gesture, d'Hautpoul told him, "Sire, for showing me so great an honor, I must die for your majesty."
Two days later he participated in the great charges of Eylau but he was wounded in the right thigh by grapeshot. As d'Hautpoul was carried away from the battle, both Doctors Larrey and Percy examined him.
Larrey suggested an amputation, while Percy suggested the leg could be saved. Hoping for the best, d'Hautpoul agreed with but d'Hautpoul died within a week from the wound.
It's said that he was a Giant of a man, Look what you done , this great man has embrace me, now I have to kiss your arses, he told his troops after Napoleons embrace
Loved the "Those are bullets! Not turds!" moment. Laughed outloud
In a way, the Battle of Eylau foreshadowed what would befall the Grande Armee in 1812
4th or 5th video of yours i just watched in a row. I didn’t wake up today wanting to learn about Napoleon. But i had a great time. Great content. Subscribed
What a stunning job this was .History is alive here!
Riddley scot should thank this channel, this makes me wanna see the napoleon
He should had learned from this channel, the movie is Merde