Eylau: Napoleon’s Bloody Stalemate in the Snow

In this gripping episode, we’re joined by Dr. Graeme Callister of York St John University to explore one of Napoleon’s most harrowing and least decisive battles—Eylau. As winter tightened its grip on East Prussia in early 1807, Napoleon pursued the Russian army into a frozen hellscape, determined to finish what he started after crushing Prussia. But at the bleak town of Eylau, the French encountered fierce resistance, blizzards, and a battlefield soaked in blood.

Dr. Callister guides us through the chaotic fighting—beginning with skirmishes around a snow-covered cemetery and culminating in one of the largest cavalry charges in history, led by the flamboyant Marshal Murat. We unpack Marshal Davout’s flanking assault, the blunder of Augereau’s corps, and the dramatic arrival of Prussian reinforcements under Lestocq.

What was it like for the common soldier, knee-deep in snow, under relentless cannon fire? Why was this horrific clash ultimately indecisive despite massive losses? And how did Eylau shake Napoleon’s aura of invincibility?

Join us as we relive a battle Ney would call “a massacre, and without result”—a haunting turning point in the War of the Fourth Coalition.

Graeme's work on D'Erlon's attack at Waterloo can be found here Pen and Sword Books: Waterloo: The Attack of I Corps - HardbackExclusive Napoleonic Wars Pod merchandise can be found here Discover Our Exclusive Range at Napoleonic Wars Podcast