Napoleon's Russian campaign ended in bitter defeat. Although Napoleon himself blamed it on the Russian winter, it was also largely due to the Russian tactics of luring the French deeper and deeper into Russian territory, where they had difficulty in getting supplies and reinforcements.
Foerster Fleck recounts the despair of the men in retracing their steps, and the hardships they faced. Albrecht Adam, an official war painter, recalls how Napoleon had to flee Moscow after a massive fire destroyed the city. Napoleon was now forced to replenish his forces, and sent his administrators on a massive recruitment drive.
