1812, the Russian campaign from the air
This plan translates Napoleon's Russian campaign into a historical air route. It is not about glorifying war, but understanding a movement: Niemen, Vilnius, Smolensk, Borodino, Moscow and the retreat.
The map follows the main landmarks of the advance and return, giving a geographical reading of excess.
The Grande Armée's advance toward Moscow and retreat.
Read a land campaign through aerial distances.
A simple aircraft gives time to understand the space.
Kaunas, Vilnius, Smolensk, Borodino, Moscow, Berezina.
Understanding the flight
The flight shows the vastness of the theatre. The outward journey first seems linear; the retreat reveals the fragility of the eastward projection.
Each point should be approached as a historical landmark more than an aviation stop.
Before departure
- Use different seasonal weather between advance and retreat.
- Keep moderate altitudes to read rivers, plains and cities.
- Use a slow or medium aircraft so the campaign is not reduced to minutes.
- Note the historical dates of landmarks to strengthen immersion.
Suggested route
Niemen, Vilnius and eastward route
Kaunas and Vilnius open the campaign from the Niemen River before the movement toward Vitebsk and Smolensk.
EYKA → EYVI → UMII
Borodino and Moscow
The route reaches the major point of tension at Borodino, then Moscow, the apparent end of the offensive.
UUEE → EYVI → EYKA
Retreat westward
The return crosses the same immensity, with the Berezina as the dramatic landmark before Vilnius and Kaunas.
Experience tips
Change the weather mood between outward and return legs; it makes the retreat immediately clearer.
This page is strongest when distance is allowed to speak. Do not compress the stages too much.
Copyright Michel Lagneau 2010