Napoleon's retreat from Moscow during the winter of 1812 is one of the great military disasters of history. According to the popular legend only about 22,000 of Napoleon's men survived the Russian campaign (out of 600,000).
The harrowing march saw the Grande Armee reduced to starvation as many of the men died from cold and hunger. The ferocious Russian winter covered the land in snow and ice; no food could be found along the route, the horses perished, much of the artillery had to be abandoned, and many units disintegrated as men deserted. Russian partisans kept up constant pressure on the demoralised French army. By the time the army reached the river Berezina at the end of November, the French had less than 40,000 men left, and many of these were killed during the crossing.
However, some sources say that no more than 380,000 soldiers were killed. Others have argued that the destruction of the Dutch contingent of the Grande Armée was not a result of death of most of its members. Rather its various units disintegrated and the troops scattered. Later many of these personnel were collected and reorganised into the new Dutch army. How many men from the Grande Armee actually died? Could it be that the figure of 478,000 men 'killed' is actually exaggerated?