Упрощенная HTML-версия
Author : V. Sibilev
Deputy Director, Department for Work with Compatriots Living Abroad, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of the Russian Federation, Russian Consul General in Brno (2003-2008), Candidate of Sciences (His-
tory);
DECEMBER 2, 2010 marked 205 years of the Battle
of Austerlitz, one of the most famous and dramatic
battles in Europe in the history of the Napoleonic Wars,
that took place near Austerlitz (Czech: Slavkov u Brna)
near Brno and colorfully described in Leo Tolstoy's War
and Peace.
For the number of troops involved, this battle is among
the most murderous of the wars involving Napoleonic
forces after the battles of Borodino and Leipzig.
Owing to the fact that Russian Tsar Alexander I, Austrian Emperor Franz I, and French Emperor
Napoleon I were present at the site of the Battle of Austerlitz, it is also known as the Battle of the
Three Emperors.
From the military point of view, the victory at Austerlitz came as an undoubted triumph for
Napoleon's military genius and an ignominious defeat for the Allies, Austrian generals and Alexan-
der I with his young and ambitious entourage who had underestimated their outstanding adversary
and ignored wise counsels from Mikhail Kutuzov who led the Russian forces.
Austerlitz was Napoleon's favorite of the 40 battles he had won. The legendary "Sun of Austerlitz''
which was blazing down during the battle on the Russian and Austrian troops and blinding them
was his fondest memory.
The Battle of Austerlitz and those who died in it were commemorated in 1912 by the unveiling of
the so-called Peace Mound. The monument contains the remains of the fallen men of the coalition
armies and of Napoleon's forces.
Next to the Peace Mound which draws numerous tourists from many countries, including Russia,
there is a museum of the Brno region which is also doing intensive research into the history of
Napoleonic Wars and the Battle of Austerlitz. Its numerous exhibits are devoted to the era of
Napoleonic Wars and their impact on Czech lands. It arranges Russian-language tours with the as-
sistance of the Russian consulate general in Brno.
There were, unfortunately, a clearly small number of Russian officials attending the Austerlitz cel-
ebrations. At the same time there were on hand numerous members of military history associations
from Moscow, Borodino, St.Petersburg and other Russian cities who took part in the re-enactment
of the battle.
Without a doubt, Austerlitz is not a glowing page in our military history. But, most possibly, it was
precisely where Russia's future triumph at Borodino, Smolensk and on the Berezina over Napoleon
was being prepared, where the spirit of the Russian army was steeled and the military genius of
Kutuzov. Bagration and other Russian generals gained in strength.
The Pain and Memories of Austerlitz
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