Did Napoleon abandon his troops in Moscow? Napoleon did not abandon his troops in Moscow. The infamous retreat from Moscow took place during the Napoleonic Wars in 1812. After the French army, led by Napoleon, successfully invaded Russia and occupied Moscow, they faced numerous challenges, including harsh weather conditions, lack of supplies, and the destruction of the city by fire.

With the Russian winter setting in and his army suffering from starvation and disease, Napoleon decided to retreat from Moscow in October 1812. He left Moscow on October 19, 1812, and began the long and arduous journey back to France. The retreat turned into a disastrous campaign for the French army, as it faced brutal winter weather, attacks from Russian forces, and logistical challenges. Many soldiers died during the retreat, primarily due to the harsh conditions and constant harassment by Russian forces.

Napoleon did not abandon his troops in the sense of leaving them behind intentionally. However, the decision to retreat from Moscow and the subsequent hardships faced by the French army contributed to the severe losses and ultimately played a significant role in the overall failure of Napoleon’s invasion of Russia.