2. Napoleon’s Retreat from Moscow (1812)
In the bitter winter of 1812, Napoleon’s Grand Army faced one of history’s most devastating retreats. Starved, freezing, and under constant threat from Russian forces, more than 400,000 soldiers perished as discipline and morale collapsed. Those who survived the endless march back to France were haunted by memories of frostbite, disease, and despair. The retreat shattered the myth of Napoleonic invincibility and stands as a grim testament to the merciless power of nature and war. History.com
