The Battle of Bautzen (May 20–21, 1813) – Napoleon’s Hard-Fought Victory in the War of the Sixth Coalition

In today’s episode, special guest Jonas de Neef breaks down the Battle of Bautzen, one of the most intense and strategically intriguing clashes of the 1813 campaign. Fought after Napoleon’s retreat from Russia, Bautzen saw the Emperor attempt to crush the combined Prussian & Russian armies under Blücher and Wittgenstein. Despite a tactical French victory, the battle failed to deliver the decisive blow Napoleon desperately needed.

We explore:

• Napoleon’s strategy and the movements leading to Bautzen

• Key commanders: Napoleon, Ney, Soult, Oudinot, Blücher, and Wittgenstein

• The brutal two-day fight

• Ney’s missed opportunity that allowed the Allies to escape

• Casualties, consequences, and how Bautzen shaped the rest of the 1813 campaign

Perfect for fans of Napoleonic history, military strategy, and anyone following the War of the Sixth Coalition.
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