#ThisDay there was one of the largest battles of the Patriotic War of 1812: the Battle of Maloyaroslavets
In early October of 1812, the French troops abandoned Moscow and started their withdrawal along the old Kaluga road towards Smolensk where Napoleon expected to replenish food and provant supplies. The Russian troops frustrated Napoleon's plan in a fierce battle near Maloyaroslavets. The battle marked the crucial change in the Patriotic War of 1812. The strategic initiative was completely taken over by the Russian command. The Russian army launched a counteroffensive.