1812 Beginning of the Battle of Smolensk
205 years ago, on August 16, 1812, a battle began between the united Russian army of Mikhail Barclay de Tolly and Napoleon's Great Army near Smolensk. It ended on August 18 with the withdrawal of the Russians from the city. 38,000 people participated in the battle from the Russian side, 45,000 people from the French side. During the battle, Smolensk was burned.