26 November 1812
Last Quarter, 46% lit
Napoleon crosses the Berezina
The retreat from Moscow reached the Berezina under a last quarter moon and roughly −20°C.
Two pontoon bridges were built by engineers standing chest-deep in a freezing river; most of them died of it. The French word bérézina still means an utter catastrophe.
- Date
- 26 November 1812
- Moon computed for
- 06:00 local time, UTC+1:54
- Phase
- Last Quarter
- Illuminated
- 46%
Source: Contemporary regimental accounts