![]() Charles, like Napoleon, relied on speed to force a rapid decision. ![]() As Napoleon and his Grande Armée crossed the Niemen River into Russia, Napoleon requested and studied written accounts of Charles XII of Sweden’s ill-fated invasion of Peter the Great’s Russia in 1709. In June of 1812 Napoleon’s efforts to avoid another war with Tsar Alexander of Russia had failed. Whatever the book of war may say, Napoleon Bonaparte understood that “in war, chance is half of everything.” Napoleon’s study of history and march on Moscow illustrate why even the most assiduous students of history often follow their predecessors into disaster. Field Marshal Montgomery’s observation that “rule one on page one of the book of war, is: ‘Do not march on Moscow’” belies the fact that one of the most famous marchers on Moscow rigorously studied history and yet marched on Moscow. ![]() Preparing for future warfare based on historical lessons has long been fundamental to military leadership and strategy. ![]()
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