Leipzig, 1813: The battle of the nations

The battle of Leipzig was, in terms of the number of combatants involved, the largest engagement of the entire Napoleonic Wars. The disastrous effects of Leipzig led directly to the collapse of Napoleon's political and military position in Germany and the cataclysmic campaign in France in 1814 which culminated in Napoleon's abdication and exile to Elba. Leipzig was the only battle of the wars in which all Allied armies (including even the Swedes) fielded troops against Napoleon. Indeed the Swedish Army was commanded by Bernadotte, formerly one of Napoleon's marshals and now Crown Prince of Sweden. Leipzig represents that rarity in the Napoleonic era - a truly decisive battle. Peter Hofschroer looks at the run-up to this crucial battle as well as the battle itself. Much background information is given, including the strategies of both sides and detailed information on each of the combatant forces. This helps to show the wide range in the quantity and quality of the men each of the allies possessed: from the Russian field army of 184,123 men, to the minuscule British contribution of just under 7,500 troops, the vast majority of whom were German. The numerous battles leading up to Leipzig are also discussed thus providing an interesting overview of the whole campaign.