Geschichte des Feldzuges in Russland im Jahre 1812 (1839) by L. Gelner is a 19th-century military history of the catastrophic campaign of the French invasion of Russia led by Napoleon Bonaparte.
The work provides a chronological account of the campaign, beginning with the advance of the Grande Armée into Russia, through major engagements such as Smolensk and Borodino, and culminating in the occupation of Moscow and the disastrous retreat during the winter of 1812–1813.
A central focus is the operational and logistical challenges faced by Napoleon’s multinational army, including supply shortages, extended lines of communication, and the effects of climate and terrain. The study highlights how these factors, combined with Russian resistance and scorched-earth tactics, contributed to the collapse of the campaign.
The narrative also addresses the role of allied contingents within the Grande Armée, including German troops from states such as the Kingdom of Westphalia and other members of the Confederation of the Rhine, illustrating the multinational nature of Napoleon’s forces.
Written relatively soon after the events, the book reflects early 19th-century historiography, emphasizing military operations, command decisions, and the dramatic scale of losses. While grounded in contemporary accounts and reports, it retains a descriptive and sometimes interpretive style characteristic of its period.
