Question

М.И. Кутузов, принимая решение о сдаче Москвы, предрекал: "Наполеон - как бурный поток, который мы ещё не можем остановить. Москва будет губкой, которая его всосет". Как вы понимаете слова главнокомандующего? Подумайте, прав ли был Кутузов в своём пророчестве.

Answer 1

Наполеоновские войны до 1812 года проходили примерно по одному сценарию: антифранцузская коалиция объявляла Франции войну, происходило генеральное сражение, такое как Аустерлиц, в котором побеждал Наполеон и на его же условиях заключался мир. Один из франц перебежчиков посоветовал России не давать такого сражения, затягивать на свою территорию и затягивать войну. Кутузов и возглавил подобную кампанию. Отсупали без значимых боев прямо до Бородино, где генеральное сражение все же пришлось дать. Не смотря на численное и позиционное преимущество бой был проигран. Сил защищать Москву не было. Пришлось ее оставить и сжечь, что дикость даже для тех времен. Тогда Кутузов, дабы хоть как-то оправдать такую ситуацию и произнес эту фразу. План в конце концов сработал, мира Наполеон не получил и пришлось отступать в условиях жуткого мороза, неся большие потери. Кстати говоря, армия Кутузова при параллельном марше несла аналогичные потери.

Answer 2

Understanding Kutuzov's Words

When General Mikhail Kutuzov made the statement, "Napoleon is like a raging torrent that we cannot yet stop. Moscow will be the sponge that will suck him in," he was expressing his understanding of the situation during the French invasion of Russia in 1812. Kutuzov recognized the overwhelming power and momentum of Napoleon's forces and believed that Moscow, as the capital and heart of Russia, would become a decisive battleground that would ultimately lead to Napoleon's defeat.

Kutuzov's words can be interpreted as a recognition of the strategic importance of Moscow and the role it would play in the outcome of the war. He understood that Moscow's capture by Napoleon would not mean victory for the French, but rather a turning point that would lead to their downfall. By allowing the French to occupy Moscow, Kutuzov believed that Napoleon's forces would become overextended and vulnerable, as they would be far from their supply lines and exposed to the harsh Russian winter.

Kutuzov's Prophetic Insight

In hindsight, it can be said that Kutuzov's words were prophetic. After the French occupied Moscow in September 1812, they faced numerous challenges. The Russian army adopted a strategy of scorched-earth tactics, destroying and abandoning their own resources to deny them to the enemy. This made it difficult for the French to sustain their forces and weakened their position.

Furthermore, the harsh Russian winter took its toll on Napoleon's troops, who were ill-prepared for the extreme cold. The lack of supplies, combined with the Russian army's guerrilla warfare tactics, eventually forced Napoleon to retreat from Moscow in October 1812. The retreat turned into a disastrous campaign for the French, with the Russian army relentlessly pursuing and attacking them. The retreat from Russia marked a significant turning point in Napoleon's military career and ultimately led to his downfall.

Therefore, it can be concluded that Kutuzov's prediction about Moscow acting as a "sponge" that would absorb Napoleon's forces and lead to their defeat was accurate. By allowing the French to occupy Moscow, Kutuzov set in motion a series of events that ultimately led to the French defeat in the war.

Note: The information provided above is based on historical events and interpretations.