Battle of Dahlenkirchen

The Battle of Dahlenkirchen took place on 22 August 1812, between French and allied troops, with a victory of the Russian army of about 6,000 against the French about 1,500 strong.^[1]

Battle of Dahlenkirchen
Part of the French invasion of Russia
Painting by Nikolay Samokish
Date 22 August 1812 Location village southeast of Riga on the left bank of the Daugava, Russian Empire 56.9428°N 24.0966°E / 56.9428; 24.0966 Result Russian victory[1]
Belligerents
French Empire Prussia	Russian Empire
Commanders and leaders
Jacques MacDonald Julius von Grawert	Magnus Gustav von Essen
Strength
1,500 8 cannons[1]	6,000[1]
Casualties and losses
800[1]	300[1]

French invasion of Russia

330km
205miles

Dahlenkirchen

15

Pultusk

14

Gorodeczno

13

Drohiczyn

12

Tauroggen

11

Riga

10

Tilsit

9

Warsaw

8

Berezina

7

Maloyaro-
slavets

6

Moscow

5

Borodino

4

Smolensk

3

Vitebsk

2

Vilna

1

Kowno

   

  current battle

  Prussian corps

  Napoleon

  Austrian corps

Battle

Position of armies in Courland as of Summer 1812

On 22 August 1812 a Russian attack took place on the right wing of the Prussians at Dahlenkirchen and Olai, and at the same time on the left wing at Schlock and St.Annen. On the right wing, Colonel Horn was completely surprised, and after some resistance he had to retreat. Ultimately, the Prussians were able to stop the attacks, but they gave up Dahlenkirchen because they could not defend it.^[2]

Aftermath

The unsuccessful siege of Riga went on.

See also

• List of battles of the French invasion of Russia